Waubaushene: Trails, Landscape and Local History

Waubaushene offers specific points of interest for trip planning in three areas: trails, landscape and local history. The Tay Shore Trail is 18.5 kilometres long and can be used for various activities; the Uhthoff Trail leads to the Highway 400 overpass near Waubaushene. Local history includes Christ Church and a historic district delineated by the Tay Heritage Committee. The landscape can be explored through a beach at the Lake Waubaushene Stage and historic shorelines in the Waubaushene Beaches Nature Reserve, which borders the village.

Trails and their features

The 18.5 km Tay Shore Trail is paved and fully accessible. This multi-use trail can be used for walking, cycling, inline skating and cross-country skiing; it is also registered as part of the Trans Canada Trail. Its length, surface, accessibility and permitted uses offer different points of reference: the kilometre figure describes the trail’s overall distance, while the four activities show that use is not limited to walking. Its registration adds its connection to the Trans Canada Trail to these features. If trails are part of your trip, you can consider the trail length, specific uses and its place in the trail network separately.

The Uhthoff Trail leads to the Highway 400 overpass near Waubaushene. The two trails can be distinguished by their different features: the Tay Shore Trail is defined by its length, surface and uses, while the overpass is the specific destination on the Uhthoff Trail. This lets you decide when planning your trip whether trail features or a named landmark matters more to you.

Landscape and former shorelines

The beach at the Lake Waubaushene Stage lies 188 metres above sea level. It extends from the park’s northwest corner into the village of Waubaushene. This landscape feature is defined both by its precise elevation and by its stretch between the park and the village. The Waubaushene Beaches Nature Reserve lies outside and directly borders the village of Waubaushene. It includes a significant sequence of historic shorelines that mark the retreat of ancient Lake Algonquin. This sequence reveals how former shorelines changed over time and adds a geological context to the beach’s location. The beach and shorelines thus offer different ways to explore the landscape: one through elevation and extent, the others through traces of an ancient lake.

Christ Church and the historic district

Christ Church at 22 Hazel St. in Waubaushene was built in 1881. It was originally called Memorial Church in memory of Theodore W. Buck, general manager of the Georgian Bay Lumber Company. The year of construction and the dedication relate to different aspects of its history: the year marks when it was built, while its original name reflects the occasion for the memorial. Buck is also associated with a specific professional role. The Tay Heritage Committee has also delineated a historic district for Waubaushene. This makes it possible to consider local history at two scales: the construction and dedication history of a single church building, and a historic area delineated for Waubaushene.

Discover more destinations: Washago, Angus, Alliston, Borden, Oro, Penetanguishene, Duntroon, Tiny

For the broader travel overview: Simcoe County.