Welcome to the Central Ontario Loop Trail

Location of COLT (click for larger version)

The Central Ontario Loop Trail (COLT) is a marketing partnership promoting a shared-use regional trail system passing through five counties in Central Ontario, Canada.  This system is a unique 450–km loop of publicly owned trails.  Two thirds of this loop are rail trails connected by scenic secondary roads.

This 450-km trail system provides an opportunity for trail enthusiasts of every age and skill level to experience diverse natural and cultural landscapes 12 months of the year.  Some of the ways to enjoy the trail include walking, hiking, cycling, horseback riding, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.  Each segment of the trail is unique and permitted uses vary.  Follow COLT and see where it leads you.

Trail Etiquette

To ensure that all trail users enjoy their outdoor experience, please use common sense and respect the environment and fellow trail users.

Respect for the Environment

• Stay on the trail -- help protect our natural environment by not damagine any trees, shrubs, plants or flowers.

• Appreciate wildlife -- from a distance.

• Do your part to keep the trail clean -- carry out all your litter.

• When passing near homes, respect residents' privacy.

• Enjoy the trail with your dog on a leash.

• Cyclists yield to walkers/hikers and ride in control.

• When overtaking other trail users, make your presence known and pass with care on the left.

• Pass horseback riders with caution, making no sudden or loud movements as horses may startle easily. A red ribbon tied to the horse's tail means the horse is known to be cranky and will kick.

Mosquitoes are found on various sections of the trail.  The following links are to sites with information on West Nile Virus and how to protect yourself:

• Ontario Ministry of Health
• The Weather Network Bug Report

Trail Conditions

Note:  The condition of the trails varies around the loop. Please check with local tourism office to obtain current trail conditions.

Trail News

Kawartha Trails Day Participate in Kawartha Trails Day at Ken Reid Conservation. Area Enjoy a Campfire, Guided Nature Walks, Educational Displays and a light lunch. Particpate in a draw to win one of four bikes! Download the poster (PDF - 61 KB) for details.

Trillium Grant for Trail Creation Guidelines The Trails for All Ontarians Collaborative (TAOC), of which COLT is a member, has received an Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant ($97,500) to develop guidelines for the construction and maintenance of recreation trails that are environmentally sustainable and accessible to people of different abilities. To learn more, consult our summary document (PDF - 12 KB).

TrailFest

Trail Weather

Trail Links

	Go For Green
	Hike Ontario
	Oak Ridges Trail Association
	Ontario Cycling Association
	Ontario Trails Council
	Orienteering Ontario
	TrailPaq
	Trails for Health
	Whitewater Ontario

Trail Facts

	age range of largest group of trail users: 25-41
	percentage of trail users who are children: 24.5
	average time of hours spent on a trail: 1 h 55 m
	average hike/walk: 10.86 km
	trail users who walk: 95.5%
	trail users who bicycle: 4.5%
	major trail activities: photography (25.9%) nature study (25.9%) bird watching (17%) backpacking (14.3%) orienteering (6.3%) painting (1.8%) horseback riding (1.8%)