TRAIL WISE the ONTARIO TRAILS COUNCIL NEWSLETTER - July 20, 2026
• Project Funding Builds Trails •
• Activity on Ontario Trails • #ontariotrailnews
• Trail Projects • Updates • Member Services • #canadiantrailnews
 Ontario Trails Council is a charity, led by a volunteer board of directors, that promotes the use, management, development, and preservation of trails and trail-based activities in Ontario.
Please consider supporting us through a donation or a membership. Thanks.
TOP TRAIL NEWS
 For the latest wildfire information and travel advisories, please consult official sources: If you are looking for information to share with your communities, visitors, or travellers planning a trip to Northern Ontario, please feel free to share the following resource: Is It Safe to Travel Northern Ontario Right Now? What Visitors Need to Know About the 2026 Wildfires. This resource provides travellers with guidance on current wildfire conditions, travel considerations, and where to find the latest updates before and during their visit.
Add your Voice Ontario!
 Trans Canada Trail is supporting a national research study on the State of the Trail sector in Canada. The research is being conducted by UNITY Workforce Strategies, a women-led, Canadian research and consulting firm.The State of the Trail Sector study looks at how trails are used, supported, and experienced across the country, including both day-to-day use and the work involved in governance, stewardship, and funding. The insights gathered through this study will help build a clearer picture of the trail sector across Canada, supporting stronger planning, coordination, and understanding of the conditions shaping trails in different communities and contexts. We hope the findings will be useful to organizations, communities, and partners working to sustain and strengthen trails over time. As part of this, we’re inviting you to take part and to help circulate the survey within your networks. The survey link below will guide respondents to the questions most relevant to them. Organizations can share perspectives on stewardship, funding, governance, and coordination, while individuals can share their experiences using and accessing trails. Some people may be relevant to both. The survey takes about 10–15 minutes to complete and is anonymous. Take the survey: https://www.research.net/r/TrailSectorv4
ONTARIO TRAIL PROJECTS AND FUNDING
 Seed grant applications open in JulySeed grants are available to help non-profit organizations, small municipalities, and First Nations improve how they deliver programs and services that directly benefit community members. Projects need to focus on organizational planning, piloting a new program, or building capacity to plan for future programs and services.
The grant application period is from July 22, 2026, to August 19, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Do you have Tourism Investment Lands? Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) and the Ministry of Tourism Culture and Gaming (MTCG) are partnering to host their annual EDCO Invest Table: Tourism Edition (previously named Tourism Investment Dragons) on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. This event offers municipalities the opportunity to get to pitch their tourism ready sites to interested investors over a quick 15-minute meeting rotation. Apply to be one of the municipalities selected to participate. Complete the online application form to outline up to two tourism-ready investment sites along with any supportive initiatives. Applications will be evaluated based on the strength and clarity of their tourism opportunity and its potential impact to the local and regional economies. Selected municipalities will be contacted in early September to confirm participation. Complete the online application form to outline up to two tourism-ready investment sites along with any supportive initiatives. Application window opens this Friday, June 26th! Application deadline is Friday, July 31st, 2026. |
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PLACES, PEOPLE AND EXPERIENCES
Ontario’s July 2026 trail event calendar is packed with major running and cycling events, ranging from scenic wilderness 7k runs to gruelling 100-mile ultramarathons and gravel rides.  Top organized trail events for July 2026 include: - The Limberlost Challenge (Huntsville): Held on July 4, 2026 at the Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve. This beautiful, 10,000-acre private wilderness reserve hosts distances ranging from a 1K kid’s fun run to a 56K ultra. Details are available on The Limberlost Challenge official site or Race Roster. [1, 2, 3]
- Summit 700 Trail Runs (Blue Mountain Resort): Taking place on July 11, 2026. This event features a timed 700ft climb of the Niagara Escarpment, 5K, 10K, 21K, and 50K ultramarathon distances. For more information, visit the Blue Mountain Resort events page. [1]
- The First Blaze Trail Race (Milton): On July 11, 2026. This Athletics Ontario-sanctioned trail event partners with La Sportiva for shoe demos. Register or view details on Race Roster. [1, 2]
- 5 Peaks Trail Running Series: Area 8 (Milton): Happening on July 18, 2026. A family-friendly event offering kid’s races, plus 8.1K, 16.2K, and 24.2K Grit courses through beautiful conservation area trails. Track the schedule at 5 Peaks Trail Running. [1, 2, 3]
- Tally in the Valley Trail Race (Hamilton area): Scheduled for July 25, 2026. This event takes place in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area and features a 7K, 21K, 100-mile challenge, and 6-, 12-, and 24-hour time-based events. View options and register on Race Roster. [1]
- Kick & Push Century (Sharbot Lake): A gravel riding event on July 19, 2026, offering 50km and 100km courses. Find out more on the Ontario By Bike calendar. [1]
Please see the Ontario Trails Events Page for more information. |
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