- Updated on January 5, 2026
Ontario Outdoor Ice Trails & Forest Skate Loops
Ontario offers a growing collection of winter skate trails, from forested ice paths in Muskoka and Eastern Ontario to trail-like urban loops right in Toronto. These scenic routes let families glide, explore, and enjoy a unique outdoor experience together—followed by a well-earned hot chocolate, of course.
Note: Always check conditions before heading out, as ice trails are weather-dependent and may close temporarily. We update this guide throughout the season, so visit often and feel free to share your favourite trails in the comments!
Toronto Skate Trails
Toronto’s skate trails offer trail-like experiences in urban settings. These loop-style ice paths let you glide continuously around the route—similar to forest and lake trails, but without leaving the city. Because most Toronto trails use refrigerated or maintained ice, many open earlier in the season and remain reliable even during mild weather.
Barbara Ann Scott Ice Trail
420 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5B 2H3 (Yonge Street & Gerrard St West) Website
A five-metre-wide, oval-shaped loop set beneath Toronto tallest buildings, is open for leisure skating, beginning in December. See website for ice schedules.
The Bentway Skate Trail
250 Fort York Blvd, Toronto, ON Website
A 220m trail and series of public spaces, knits together seven local neighbourhoods. The Bentway offers year-round activities and events, including gardens, a skating rink, recreational amenities, public markets, public art, special exhibitions, festivals, theatre and musical performances and more. Located under the Gardiner Expressway right beside the Fort York Visitor Centre the trail opens in December. Skate sharpening and rentals available.
Colonel Sam Smith Skating Trail
65 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Road, Toronto. Website
Open daily beginning in December, see website for schedules.
Toronto’s first ice trail and a one-of-a-kind outdoor rink that expands into a figure-eight shape and covers 250 metres of pure Winter fun. It is linked to the park’s greater trail network providing visitors with an immediate walkway connection to enjoy the trails. The facility features a rink change area which includes a large change room with benches and washrooms.
Evergreen Winter Village Outdoor Skating
Evergreen Brickworks, 550 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON Website
Picturesque skating loop in Koerner Gardens of Evergreen Brick Works. Free public skate hours. Skating is free, and skate rentals are available. This natural ice surface is weather dependent, so be sure to check conditions before heading out.
Cedarvale Park Outdoor Skating
443 Arlington Avenue, Toronto Website
Cedarvale Park offers an outdoor artificial ice rink in a scenic ravine park setting, with drop-in leisure skating and shinny available through the season. Typically open from December to February, weather permitting.
York Region Skate Trails
York Region offers a mix of community skate trails and scenic outdoor paths, giving families an easy way to enjoy trail-like skating close to home. These routes provide continuous-glide experiences without having to travel far from the GTA.
Richmond Green Skate Trail
1300 Elgin Mills Road East, Richmond Hill, ON L4S 1M5 Website
A 250 metre long trail, with heated washrooms and change rooms. The trail is lit for evening skating and open daily (weather permitting) from late December through March. Skate rentals are not available — bring your own skates and check trail conditions before you go.
Carrville Skate Trail in Vaughan
655 Thomas Cook Ave., Vaughan ON Website
Opened in February 2025, the new Skate Trail is a 600-foot loop located behind the Carrville Community Centre. Trail is open daily, as weather permits.
Memorial Park Skating Trail (Whitchurch-Stouffville)
2 Park Dr, Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON Website
Opened in December of 2024, this new trail is light at night and offers skate rentals and sharpening. Trail is open daily from 9am at 9pm (weather conditional).
Simcoe Grey Skate Trails
Scenic outdoor ice trails and loops around Lake Simcoe and Georgian Bay—perfect for family skating and weekend trips.
Fern Resort Skate Trail
4432 Fern Resort Rd, Ramara, ON Website
A 1.5 km wooded skate trail in Ontario’s Lake Country. The trail is lit with torches for evening skating. Enjoy a skate by torchlight and finish off your evening warming yourself by the bonfire.
Harbour Skate Trail
Friday Harbour, 3999 Friday Drive, Innisfil, ON Website
A one-of-a-kind skating experience invites you to glide across the frozen waters of Lake Simcoe with the landmark CIBC Pier as the backdrop.
Simcoe County Museum Skating Trail
Located at the Simcoe County Museum, 1151 Highway 26, Minesing ON Website
A 1 kilometer skating trail that winds along along the museum’s heritage buildings and through scenic forest pathways.
Woodview Mountaintop Skating
Blue Mountain Resort, 190 Gord Canning Drive, The Blue Mountains Website
A scenic 1.1 km skating loop located at the top of Blue Mountain, offering beautiful winter views and a groomed trail perfect for families. The path is lit in the evenings for a magical nighttime experience. Typically open from late December to early March, weather permitting.
Muskoka Area Skate Trails
Muskoka’s forested trails and natural ice paths create some of the most iconic winter skating experiences in Ontario. These wooded routes let families glide through snow-covered landscapes for a true back-to-nature trail adventure.
Arrowhead Provincial Park Skating Trail
451 Arrowhead Park Road, Huntsville ON Website
Arrowhead’s 1.3 km natural ice skating trail winds through snowy forest and is a classic winter destination. You can also enjoy events like “Fire & Ice” nights with torchlit skating and warm-up areas, while rentals and permits are available through Ontario Parks. Typically open from mid January to mid-March, weather permitting (but can open earlier so check on their website).
Memorial Park Skate Trail
Manitoba Street and Kimberly Avenue, Bracebridge Website
Located in Bracebridge, this free skate trail winds around Memorial Park.
Cranberry Marsh Ice Trail
Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery, 1074 Cranberry Road, Bala, ON Website
A 1.2 km loop around 12 acres of cranberries and forest. Head back to the winery for hot mulled wine or hot cran-apple cider. Every Saturday night (weather permitting), the trail is lit with 400 tiki torches for Light the Night night skating.
Southwestern Ontario Area Skate Trails
Southwestern Ontario offers a variety of trail-style skating experiences, from forest loops along Lake Huron to scenic resort trails near Georgian Bay. These destinations make great road trips for families looking to explore winter fun beyond the GTA.
MacGregor Point Provincial Park Ice Trail
Located at 1593 Bruce Road 33, Port Elgin ON Website
Located on the shores of Lake Huron, this 400-metre loop and is so pretty when it’s lit at night. Families can experieence some winter magic as they skate under the stars! If you can, plan your visit during the week to avoid larger crowds. Skate rentals are not available, so be sure to bring your own and dress warmly. Purchase your vehicle permit online in advance from Ontario Parks.
Storybook Garden Enchanted Skate Trail
1958 Storybook Lane, London, Ontario Website
A 250-metre, 10,000 square foot outdoor skating trail winds through the beautiful park grounds, offering a unique skating experience in London.
Eastern Ontario & Ottawa Region Skate Trails
Explore scenic natural ice trails, forest loops, and iconic long paths from Ottawa through Eastern Ontario, perfect for family winter outings.
Rideau Canal Skateway
From Dows Lake to downtown Ottawa Website
The world’s largest natural skating rink, stretching up to 7.8 km when fully open. While not a forest trail, the historic canal offers a unique, iconic skating experience for families visiting Ottawa. Season typically runs from early January to late February, weather permitting.
Icelynd
North Gower (near Stittsville), Ottawa Website
Icelynd offers over 2 km of natural ice trails winding through nearly 100 acres of peaceful winter forest. Families can skate under twinkling lights in the evening, warm up by bonfires, and enjoy rest areas and small vendors along the route. Typically open from mid-December to early March, weather permitting.
RiverOak
2900 York’s Corners Road, Ottawa (Osgoode) Website
RiverOak features a network of outdoor ice trails that pass through orchards, open fields, and wooded areas. Families can enjoy skating paths, outdoor rinks, shinny zones, and fire pits for warming up between laps. Usually operates from late December through early March, depending on ice conditions.
Countryside Adventures
1640 County Road 9, Moose Creek Website
Home to one of Eastern Ontario’s longest natural skating trails, Countryside Adventures offers a scenic route through forest and farmland. Visitors can also enjoy tubing, snowshoeing, bonfires, and food trucks—a great full-day winter outing between Ottawa and Cornwall. Generally open from late December to early March, weather dependent.
Laurentian Valley Skating Trail
500 Forest Lea Road, Pembroke Website
This rustic 1.5 km trail winds through quiet forest within the township’s recreation area. Families love the peaceful atmosphere and natural setting. Usually operates from late December to early March, weather dependent.
Want even more ways to get outside this winter? Check out our guide to Outdoor Skating Rinks in the GTA for rinks, loops, and community favourites across the region.
Support our content by sharing this guide:
Do you know of a skating trail in Ontario you’d like to share? Comment below to add it to this page.
Disclaimer: Please check with these trails you are heading out to. Skate trails operate weather permitting. If you know of a trail on our list that no longer operates please comment below to let our readers know. Thank you.
