The Great Outdoors

Who says you have to fall off the exercise wagon while on vacation? Travel is the best excuse to eat more than you usually would but, with gorgeous scenery to explore and all that fresh country air, Cobourg will have you raising your heart rate in no time to blast those extra calories. The experts recommend switching up your fitness routine, so now’s the time to power walk the quaint neighbourhoods and along the boardwalk that spans the marina to the beach, or try rollerblading or cycling the back roads that loop back into town. Pick up a free cycling map from the tourism office.

Need some tree time? You can bond with Mother Nature over a serene hike in the woods, where ample greenery turns to burnished orange in the fall and thoughts of urban concrete are far, far away. Just a 10-minute drive from town, Northumberland Forest covers about 40 km over 6,000 acres of protected land. Group hikes are organized by local clubs; if you’d like to join in, contact the tourism office at 1-888-Cobourg.

When the snow falls, people love to cross-country ski here and snowmobile on designated trails. Also nearby, the Ganaraska Forest Centre northwest of Cobourg, has groomed trails and on-site staff, making it a popular destination for mountain biking for beginners and seasoned cyclists. A wide variety of trails are designated for hiking, horseback riding and off-road ATVs. In winter, the centre is great for cross-country skiing – then you can head back into Cobourg and warm up with hot cocoa and a bite to eat. Sweets, of course, fall into the “bite-to-eat” category after all the exertion, so save room for a gourmet chocolate from the downtown shops.

The abandoned railway line that’s become Canada’s Waterfront Trail passes through Cobourg along Lake Ontario for cycling or hiking. The trail has grown in popularity for sport and now there’s an annual Great Waterfront Trail Adventure in July. This group cycling tour covers the total 730 km of the Waterfront Trail in eight days, passing through 41 communities. Sign up as a single, a family or group, or divide the ride into a relay with each member doing a different leg. Visit waterfronttrail.org for more information.

Cyclists will also appreciate the award-winning Bike Train initiative where VIA Rail introduced bike racks on select departures, connecting Toronto to cycle eco-tourism destinations in the province from June to October. Check out biketrain.ca for further details.

Whether on bicycle or foot, there are parks and gardens to visit in town, and sports fields for a pick-up game or watching league tournaments. Indoor facilities have pools, gyms, squash courts and classes, so you won’t be looking for an excuse to skip your workout. Be adventurous and try a little snow-shoeing in the winter or bring your skates for a few turns around the old-fashioned outdoor rink by the lakefront.

Hiking in the area

Hiking enthusiasts can make use of the local Pine Ridge Hiking Club which has over 100 members and organizes approximately 100 hikes every year! The club also pus on an annual photographic exhibition.

For more information please visit: http://pineridgehikingclub.ca