Devil's Gap Trailhead - Gravenhurst, Ontario

Jeffrey N.

I attempted this late May of 2023... and returned mid-June 2024 to complete it.
I could not get 1/4 through before the trail became blocked by a flooded swamp.
Spring/early summer is clearly not a good time for this trail as you will be constantly side tracking muddy/wet sections. Yes, you risk falling into large puddles/mud as you skirt their edges. Even in mid-June, there were many wet and nearly impassible or at least intimidating at first glance sections. Many larger trail puddles are traversed on the raised ground along their south edges. Don't believe the map symbols suggesting there are bridges over the water courses. Another example of poorly serviced Muskoka trails.
Not recommended for young children or the elderly.
I had to scramble north around one flooded section with a 15 to 20 min detour on trails that may have been deer tracks. Balancing on stones in a steep sided stream bed was involved.
The heavy vegetation in places makes this trail a potential tick hazard.

A second 10 meter flooded section in the trail's middle was wadded through in bare feet, given a bypass seemed impractical. I found foot wear a challenge on this 4.3km (each way) trail...

I saw the back end of a white tailed deer, a medium-sized turtle, and a few frogs... surprisingly few given all the puddles, ponds and lakes... Bugs were horrific mid-June.

As an early settler trail, this has very minor historical interest, without any physical artifacts observed. There are two presumably public camp sites very nearly at the far west end, on a small secluded lake. Part of the Torence Barrens Dark Sky Reserve? I would have loved to swim in the western most lake, but the steep slimy bottom was uninviting.

Hannah B.

the trail was going well for about 100 metres, until the swamp... this swamp contained 100 frogs and the stench that can only be described as a morgue that lacked refrigeration. the horrendous stench attracted our dogs to not only wander into the swamp, but they proceeded to dunk their heads in an attempt to catch the frogs, unfortunately two lives were lost. if the swamp, the smell, and the frog bodies were not enough to turn you away, we had never been covered in more mosquitos in ten minutes than we were here. the devils gap was created by the devil himself. WE WOULD NOT RECOMMEND

Spencer V.

Have done this trail twice. Once in October 2020 and once just now in August. In October we were able to hike the whole length and much of it was absolutely beautiful. Some small parts we have to work around water but nothing crazy. Today we got 1km in and had to turn around due to the crossing reaching knee high water. Still pretty! Quite buggy.

Binita A.

Not sure if this trail even has an end. We walked quite a bit and stop by a lake or maybe a big puddle that most people couldn’t cross.

Jeremy H.

If you want Solitude, swamps and lakes, dear flys 🤔 and tall trees they are constantly on the trail which is mostly solid and well worth a hike or trail run however a bike may have to be hiked over several spots of water, so beware.

Matt K.

Great trail but hit a flooded part that cut the walk short.

Lukas O.

Looked like a beautiful trail got 1km in there was a huge swamp, no way around it, so I tried to cross through had to turn around as I realized I was full of leaches on both legs, water is waist high. Lots of bugs not worth your time.

Paul K.

Excellent beginners trail. Not difficult at all.