Muskoka: Waterfront Luxury Real Estate in Ontario’s Cottage Country
Muskoka is home to some of Canada’s most prestigious recreational property, including a large selection of luxury cottages and waterfront estates. The area boasts several Carriage Trade listings nestled among shimmering lakes, granite cliffs, sand beaches, and dense forests of sugar maples and towering pine trees. Luxury properties for sale in the region typically range from 1 million to 15 million dollars.
The Region
Located in Central Ontario about 215 kilometres north of Toronto, the district of Muskoka is a vast cottage country playground spanning almost 3,900 square kilometres and comprising more than 1,600 lakes. The district includes the townships of Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Lake of Bays and Muskoka Lakes.
The region’s beauty and popular outdoor activities are among the reasons why Muskoka is consistently rated as one of the best places in Canada to visit. Muskoka also offers unique dining, shopping and cultural experiences in the charming, historic towns spread throughout the region.
Muskoka has roughly 60,000 permanent residents, many of whom were drawn to the area by its tranquility and beauty. In the summer, the population swells with an additional 85,000 seasonal property owners including many well-known actors and celebrities who own private villas.
The Golf
Muskoka has dozens of golf courses and exclusive country clubs offering scenic views and top ranking golf. From picture-perfect, park-like nine-hole courses to extremely challenging championship 18-hole affairs literally carved out of the Canadian Shield, Muskoka’s golf courses have been rated as among the best in Canada. With an estimated 166,000 yards of golf, Muskoka’s courses attract visitors from all over the globe and keep avid players busy all summer.
The Boating
A day spent on the water in Muskoka is a day like no other. Boaters will want to explore the miles and miles of shoreline of the region’s magnificent pristine lakes. Muskoka’s lakes can take all summer to explore, and there’s something to see around every island and every bay. Canals, locks, and the Muskoka River allow boaters to travel between lakes and discover the beauty this area has to offer.
Kayaks and canoes are also a big part of the historic boating tradition in Muskoka and many are built right here in the region, finely crafted by artisans and larger manufacturers alike. The wooden craft produced by manufacturers like Ditchburn, Greavette, and Duke are celebrated every year at antique and classic boat shows around the region and in Muskoka’s museums.
The Skiing
Skiing has long been one of Muskoka’s great winter attractions and cross-country trails and clubs abound. Huntsville’s famous Arrowhead Provincial Park features excellent cross-country skiing with more than 30 kilometers of trails for all ages and skill levels, snowshoeing trails, a tubing hill, warm-up huts, and an open bonfire pit for relaxing around after enjoying the snow.
There’s also great downhill skiing to be found at Hidden Valley in the hills overlooking Peninsula Lake outside Huntsville.
The Winter Sports
Beyond skiing, Muskoka offers a number of other activities for winter sports enthusiasts. Snowmobiling remains a major attraction in Muskoka in the winter, with more than 1,600 kilometers of trails crisscrossing the region and interconnecting with trails across the province.
If you prefer non-motorized sledding, there are plenty of hills and parks to choose from for tobogganing and tubing, or go cross country behind a dog team. Dogsledding adventures can be booked through certain resorts and private operators. Many high end resorts and equestrian stables also offer horse-drawn sleigh rides, one of the most magical and romantic ways to get out and enjoy the beauty of the winter woods.
One of the fastest-growing winter sports to hit the region is ‘fat biking,’ which is a great way to get out for some thrills and speed in the woods. Fat bikes have extra-large, extra-wide tires – perfect for gripping the snow on a packed-down trail. Several places have created fat bike trails and because of their low impact, the bikes are welcome on many snowmobile and snowshoeing trails as well.
Getting In and Out
The area is served by the Muskoka Airport, and is only a two-hour drive away from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. Many wealthy cottage owners who live in Toronto opt to take float planes to and from Muskoka, cutting the travel time to 45 minutes and making the journey almost as thrilling as the destination.
Carriage Trade Homes
Muskoka has some of Canada’s most impressive luxury waterfront real estate. Breathtaking cottages and spectacular boathouses dot the shores of the region’s three big lakes: Muskoka, Rosseau, and Joseph. Whether you are looking for a primary residence or a vacation home, Muskoka has some of the finest properties for sale in the country.
To learn more about luxury homes for sale in Muskoka, contact Jay Richardson with Royal LePage Lakes of Muskoka.
