Maple Trail

Lake of Bays Brewing Co. (LB) has opened a third location in Bracebridge, ON. The Bracebridge Barrelhouse offers barrel-aged and experimental beers, both brewed on-site, as well as LB’s regular beer lineup and a locally sourced menu.

The Barrelhouse boasts 4,200 sq. ft. spread over two floors with seating for 125 people. In addition to one-time and barrel-aged offerings, the Barrelhouse offers LB’s well known core beer lineup, as well as wine and cocktails. Similar to the Brewhouse in Huntsville, the Barrelhouse serves a wide variety of upscale pub fare, incorporating fresh and seasonal ingredients from the Bracebridge area.

For the Muskoka Maple Trail be sure to check out the Fried Chicken Sandwich with a maple bacon jam, garlic aioli, heritage mix lettuce, tomato on a pretzel bun.

Also be sure to visit the Huntsville Brewhouse just down the road in Huntsville!

Opened in 2019 in downtown Huntsville, Canvas Brewing Co. has quickly earned a reputation for well-made craft beer in a great setting. Their brewery includes a taproom with 20 taps and a 3200 square feet of event space.

For the Muskoka Maple Trail, Canvas is offering a delicious Maple Red Ale as well as two signature maple cocktails on top of their wide selection of locally crafted beer. While visiting the taproom, and listening to live music on weekends, you’ll want to check out the Orange Maple Mezcal Fizz and Maple Paloma cocktails!

Maple Baked Goodies & Sweets –

Featuring

• Maple pecan, maple bacon, & maple walnut butter tarts
• Maple apple squares
• Cookies
• Maple bacon strips
• Maple muffins

Hot Drinks –

Featuring:

• Muskoka Maple Latte
• Muskoka Maple Mist
• Maple Double Double Coffee

Deerhurst’s Maple Discovery Trail:

Make your way along an interpretative trail leading from the sugar bush pump house at the bottom of the hill, up through the maple woods to the Deerhurst Sugar Shack at the top. Along the way guests can follow the story of how maple syrup is made, gather ‘Fun Facts’ to answer our Maple Syrup quiz then enjoy a sweet maple treat at the sugar shack around the campfire

DEERHURST MAPLE SUGAR SHACK EXPERIENCE

Includes syrup making demonstrations and a sweet maple treat by the campfire:

• March Break (March 12 – 19, 2022): Daily 1 – 3pm
• March 20 to May 1, 2022: Saturdays & Sundays 1 – 3pm
• Easter Weekend (April 15 – 17, 2022): Daily 1 – 3pm (For resort guests only)

The Maple Discover Trail brings you to the Deerhurst Maple Sugar Shack (which you can also drive to), where guests can step into the past to witness the old-fashioned spile and bucket method of collecting sap, learn the history of making syrup, see how a modern evaporator works and best of all, taste a sample of delicious warm syrup created right there!

MAPLE SYRUP CULINARY CREATIONS

This is also the time of year, Executive Chef, Rory Golden, who has championed the Deerhurst Maple Sugar Shack for almost 30 years, delights with delectable maple specials on all the resort menus.

• Yellow Split Pea Soup | Maple cured bacon, spiced crème fraiche, herb oil
• Lolla Rossa and Baby Kale | Maple pickled baby golden beets, apple chips, candied pecans, balsamic-maple-mustard vinaigrette
• Smoked Poached Atlantic Salmon | Brushed with ginger-soy-maple marinade, confit fingerling potatoes, root vegetable slaw, bok choy, pink peppercorn beurre blanc sauce
• Braised Lamb Shank | Maple whipped goat cheese, port wine soaked figs, scallion mash potatoes, vegetable medley, herb – pearl onion reduction
• Maple Dessert Tasting | Maple flavoured butter tart, individual cheesecake with cranberry chutney, maple – espresso crème brule
• Maple French Toast Breakfast Poutine
• Classic french toast sticks with maple cream sauce, fresh strawberries, whipped cream and shaved Belgian chocolate

For more information, visit their website

Maple Dining: Drawing inspiration from the dish they served at last year’s Muskoka Maple Festival that sold out in only a couple of hours, 3 GUYS will be serving Charred Pork Back Ribs with Muskoka Maple Molasses BBQ sauce on their dinner menu. The made in-house Muskoka Maple BBQ sauce will quickly become your new favourite – great news, you can purchase a bottle at the restaurant to bring home!

For more information, visit their website

Visit the Sugarbush:  Open most days for free tours and samples regardless of sap flow.  No set hours, best to call ahead to make sure they are on site and available; 705-384-7847 or cell 705-788-4582.

Sugarbush Hill Maple Farm is a “State-Of-The-Art” 3,200 tap maple sugaring operation in the heart of Muskoka.  We are the largest sugarhouse open year-round to the public.  TripAdvisor rated #1 of 100 “Things To Do” in Muskoka.

Also enjoy Maple Weekend at Sugarbush Hill Maple Farm!

• April 2 & 3 from 10am-4pm each day
• Free Entry
• Maple Donuts
• Maple Creemees
• Maple Cotton Candy
• Maple Vegetarian Chili (hot)
• Marshmallow Roast (12-2pm)
• Sugarbush Hiking Trail
• Maple Heritage Cabin

A private horse drawn sleigh or wagon ride is one of the coolest ways to see the maple bush while making lasting family memories together!

Your adventure begins with a tour around the farm to meet the 15 resident horses and ponies and hear their stories. Then climb aboard one of the sleighs/wagons and take off into the beautiful Muskoka Forest. As you wind your way through the bush, in the tradition of the original Muskoka settlers, be sure to keep an eye out for the resident deer and other wildlife. Your ride ends at a campfire where you can roast marshmallows and sip hot chocolate with dash of locally produced maple syrup. A really special Canadian treat.

The sleigh/wagon ride takes about 35 minutes and the complete experience is one hour in total. Pets are welcome.

March 21 to April 29 2022

Huntsville Brewhouse offers locally sourced food, made with fresh ingredients for you to enjoy, as well as a microbrewery on-site! You can expect all of your Lake of Bays favourites plus experimental one-offs and seasonals as they let their brewers go wild with six 6 HL fermenters. With 16 rotating taps, you can try a variety of beers whenever you come by.

For the Muskoka Maple Trail be sure to check out the Muskoka Crunch Salad! Featuring Four Seasons Farms greens, goat cheese, seasonal berries, granola, candied walnuts, and maple raspberry vinaigrette.

Also visit the Bracebridge Barrelhouse just down the road in Bracebridge!

Situated on the shores of beautiful Lake Muskoka right on the trendy Muskoka Wharf, The Residence Inn Marriott Muskoka Wharf is consistently ranked one of the top hotel properties in Muskoka. Guests will enjoy a complimentary breakfast buffet, high speed internet access, indoor pool and warm and inviting accommodations.

Include us in your plans to enjoy Muskoka’s Maple Syrup Season!  Trip Advisor’s #1 hotel in Gravenhurst featuring all Suites including a breakfast buffet and indoor pool, The Residence Inn by Marriott is located in close proximity to many destinations on the Maple Trail and will have maple inspired products at breakfast and coffee stations!

For more information or to book, visit their website

There’s a long tradition of maple syrup in Muskoka, starting with the natives who discovered the secrets of ‘sweet water.’ Our farm had a rich history of being tapped by natives and pioneers that ended almost 100 years ago when forest fires swept through Muskoka. In the intervening years, our 350 acre farm has reforested, and now the third Johnston generation is ‘tapping in.’

Bog to Bottle Tour: During sugaring-off season, our Bog to Bottle Tour (daily at 11, 1 & 3) will fuse Muskoka’s two iconic crops by combining tart cranberries with sweet maple syrup! Tour the cranberry bog on your way to the sugar bush. Learn about how cranberries are grown and harvested and then see how trees are tapped, check out how sap is boiled down to syrup and finish with a wine and maple tasting. Sample the range of wines made in Muskoka, finishing with Red Maple Dessert Wine – a delicious combination of cranberries and maple syrup. A sap to syrup sampling is a great way to experience the sweet taste of spring! (activities may vary)

Maple Menu: During maple season, we feature unique maple flavours. Our Maple Mulled Wine and Hot Sheila are a great way to warm up after a spring hike. Our cheese plate celebrates the season with local maple cheeses and preserves. Even our gourmet grilled cheese gets a makeover with maple cheddar, maple caramelized onion and maple dipping sauce. Yum!

Trail Pass: Depending on the weather, snowshoe or hike to the sugar bush. Finish in the store with a sampling of Red Maple Dessert Wine.

For more information, visit their website

Maple-inspired Experiences at The Rosseau

Maple season is here, and delightful maple inspired offerings are emerging… From feisty beverages and hearty meals to decadent desserts and relaxing spa treatments, we are infusing the goodness of maple into everything! This is the season to celebrate all things local and the sweetest of them all is maple.

Maple-inspired Food & Beverage Offerings

April 1 – 30, 2022

Maple Hot Bevvies at Country Market

The Decadent Maple Dolce – Maple syrup, cocoa powder, brewed coffee and steamed milk topped with maple flakes.

Maple Chai Latte – Maple syrup, maple extract, spiced chai tea, steamed milk topped with a cinnamon maple leaf design.

Lakes Bar and Lounge

Maple Salad – Medley of greens / granny smith apples / feta cheese crispy bacon / sun-dried cranberries crunchy pumpkin seeds / maple vinaigrette.

Smokey Maple Muskoka Caesar – Jalapeño infused vodka, sriracha, Worcestershire, Walter Craft smoky maple mix, garnished with maple bacon, pepper, olive and pickled bean.

Maple Sriracha Glazed Chicken Wings – with harissa dip.

Maple and Caramel Crème Brûlée – with almond biscotti.

HydroSpa Muskoka

The team at HydroSpa Muskoka has got an array of maple inspired treatments with luxury products to nourish your skin and revitalize your spirits! Relax and ease the stress away with a hearty maple body treatment or an exfoliating manicure and pedicure. Maple inspired treatments are available from March 1st – April 30th, 2022.

Maple Sugar Body Experience at HydroSpa Muskoka

Luxurious HydroSpa Muskoka is extending the bountiful maple harvest to personal wellness and rejuvenation with a Maple Sugar Body Experience – A high intensity maple sugar head-to-toe scrub is followed by a nourishing maple body butter application for ultimate hydration.

Holistic Maple Experience

Enjoy a stimulating dry brushing followed by a Maple sugar scrub to invigorate and smoothen your skin. A soothing Jacuzzi bath follows, gently melting the muscle tension away. Finish off this pampering routine with a full body hot stone massage using a nourishing Maple Sugar body lotion leaving you feeling your skin feeling soft and supple.

Maple Sugar Signature Manicure

A luxurious “Facial” for your hands.

Maple Sugar Signature Pedicure

A comforting and holistic therapy for your feet and legs.

Visit www.thehydrospas.com or call 705.765.7000 for more information and to make reservations.

Affogato Café + Gelato will be featuring two specialty maple beverages for this year’s Muskoka Maple Trail; a creamy Maple Cinnamon Latte, as well as their Muskoka Maple Fog.  Affogato will also have their crowd favourite Muskoka Maple gelato which goes perfectly on their housemade waffle cones.

The BEER:

• Maple Espresso IPA – small batch brew – on tap and in cans

The FOOD:

• Maple Bacon Poutine  – classic poutine topped with maple bacon and sriracha maple drizzle
• Chicken and Waffle – crispy fried chicken tenders atop a floofy waffle and warm maple sriracha syrup

Sherwood Inn on Lake Joseph is Muskoka’s preeminent traditional lakeside inn. Renowned for breathtaking surroundings, tasteful accommodations, fine dining, exceptional facilities, upscale amenities and unparalleled service – Sherwood Inn is Muskoka’s romantic culinary destination.

For the Muskoka Maple Trail Sherwood is offering a Muskoka Maple Stay & Dine package. We will be collecting sap on-site all sugar rush long, and guests can enjoy a rotating menu of maple inspired fare prepared with syrup from last year’s harvest.

For more information please visit: sherwoodinn.ca

The Basilico team is bringing wonderful Italian cuisine to the Muskoka.  Making high quality dishes using the finest local ingredients; our team is dedicated to serving you the best!

For the Muskoka Maple Trail, Basilico is offering:

Maple Hot Bevvies

Maple Hot Chocolate Chantilly, Maple Candy & Fernet

Maple Bakes Goodies & Sweets

Maple Cheesecake Candied Walnuts, Roasted Oats, Chantilly & Blueberries

* Open Wednesday to Friday: 4pm – 9pm & Saturday: 12pm to 9pm

Set on a clifftop 300 ft., above the golf course, Muskoka Bay Resort’s Cliffside Restaurant pairs an exhilarating view with elevated comfort food and drinks.

For the Muskoka Maple Trail, Muskoka Bay Resort is offering:

Maple Crème Brulee

Maple Sesame Soy Miami Style Ribs with Fresh Cucumber Kimchi & Roasted Fingerling Potato