Route Description
The former route of Highway 169 has remained relatively unaltered since it was downloaded in 1998. It begins at an intersection with Highway 12 approximately 11 km (6.8 mi) north of the Trent Severn Waterway and 16 km (9.9 mi) east of the Atherley Narrows. It proceeds north at a point where Highway 12 begins to curve west towards Orillia, passing through meadows and forests and the occasional ranch. It passes through the community of Udney, curves northeast and intersects the Monck Road while curving back northwards. The highway continues in a straight line through the communities of O'Connell and Fawkham, crossing the Black River immediately south of the latter. Gently curving to the northeast, the route enters the village of Washago, after which it interchanges with Highway 11 south of the Severn River. The two highways travelled concurrently north from this point as a divided four lane freeway to the southern entrance of Gravenhurst; the modern county roads do not travel concurrently along Highway 11.
At Exit 169, the southern entrance to Gravenhurst, the route resumes, exiting the freeway and entering the town through a rock cut. Now in the Canadian Shield, the terrain is rougher, rockier, and dotted with hundreds of lakes. Exiting Gravenhurst, the highway stays close to the western shore of Lake Muskoka, serving recreational cottages. The route passes north of the Devils Gap Trail, which follows the old Bala–Gravenhurst Colonization Road, then passes through the community of Torrance where it encounters a junction with Muskoka District Road 13. Approximately 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) northwest of this point, the highway passes through Bala shortly after curving north at an intersection with Muskoka District Road 38.
The highway presses north, crossing both a Canadian National and Canadian Pacific railway in two separate locations. After intersecting Muskoka District Roads 29 and 26, it enters the community of Glen Orchard. Within that community, the route intersects the former western terminus of Highway 118 (which now ends at Highway 11), then gradually curves west to hug the southern shore of Lake Joseph. After a winding 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) drive west, the highway enters Foot's Bay and ends at Highway 69.
Read more about this topic: Ontario Highway 169
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