TRAIL WISE the ONTARIO TRAILS COUNCIL NEWSLETTER - July 27, 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.
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. 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 EXPERIENCESOntario’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]
Join Ontario Trails Council
We thank all those that join and support our work, individuals play a significant role locally and work with us to make change provincially! Thank-you.
NEW Member ProfileAspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
 Our goal at Aspen Valley is to care for injured and orphaned wildlife. Once rehabilitated, we release these animals back into the wild for a second chance. Aspen Valley also provides forever homes for native species that cannot be released back into the wild due to human interference. Our motto at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is to ‘keep wildlife wild’. We believe that it is best for all species, including humans if wild animals are allowed to live their lives uninterrupted by human interference. If an animal causes you to pause, we want you to be well informed. Check out our fact sheets on living with wildlife and learn how to co-exist Beavers - Black Bears - Deer - Raccoons - Skunks - Squirrels - Rabbits - MiceThese are but a few of the situations we invite you to learn more about!
Payment Methods: call 613-484-1140 to Pay by Credit Card.
 
ONTARIO TRAIL TOURISM, MARKETING, MEDIA, & SOCIAL MEDIA
 LOOKING FOR A COSTEFFECTIVE WAY TO ENJOY YOUR VACATION? STAY LOCALPressReaderNorfolk also features the Trans Canada Trail, renowned restaurants, art centres, museums, interpretive centre and many summer festivals in Simcoe ... Quinte Conservation launches self-serve kayak rentals at Depot Lakes and Massassauga PointBrighton TodayQuinte Conservation has partnered with Paddle Pod Canada to introduce automated kayak rentals at Depot Lakes Conservation Area and Massassauga ... Canada's Waterside 'Summer Playground' Is A Scenic Park For Swimming, Camping, Hiking ...
Islands
McRae Point Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada, offers swimming, camping, hiking, paddling, fishing, wildlife watching, and fun on the shores of ... |
Save the Date: September 16 – TGGO Golf Tournament, Nottawasaga Resort
September 17 – Tourism Opportunities Forum, Nottawasaga Resort October 20 – TIAO & Destinations International with Ottawa Tourism Session & Reception, hosted in partnership with Ottawa Tourism
Available to registered OTS26 attendees only October 21–22 – Ontario Tourism Summit 2026 October 22 – Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence December 7 – Tourism Day at Queen’s Park December 8 – Tourism Opportunities Forum, Greater Toronto Area
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