The trail starts in Port Hope, on the north shore of Lake Ontario and after more than 400 kilometres connects with the Bruce Trail near Glen Huron.
In Port Hope, the Ganaraska Hiking Trail connects with the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail. In the Ganaraska Forest, the trail crosses the Oak Ridges (hiking) Trail.
In the hills of Oro Township, between Barrie and Orillia, a branch trail veers off to Midland and then turns south, through Wasaga Beach, to rejoin the main trail just east of Glen Huron (the link between the Midland section and the Wasaga section is not yet complete).
Attractions