The Northlander: A Muskoka local’s guide to mindful travel
By Madison Menard | May 23rd 2026
A new energy hums through the pines of Muskoka and the Almaguin Highlands, and it sounds like the whistle of a train.
On March 31, a test run of the Northlander moved quietly toward North Bay, signalling more than the return of rail service. It marked the beginning of a shift inviting us to reconsider not just how we travel, but how we relate to the landscapes we move through.
As anticipation builds for its official return, there is a renewed appreciation for what many are calling “slow travel.” Instead of simply getting from one place to another, it’s about embracing the journey, choosing presence over speed, connection over convenience. That mindset well suits a region defined by natural beauty.
Being mindful of our personal carbon footprints is often framed as a modern obligation. Here, it is more an extension of respect for the land. The numbers support this shift in thinking: per person passenger rail typically is three times more energy-efficient than single-occupancy vehicles. In that efficiency lies a practical response to the very real challenges of climate change.
The environmental impact of how we travel goes beyond emissions. Muskoka Watershed Council has drawn attention to the long-term effects of winter road maintenance on local ecosystems. Chloride levels in Lake Muskoka have increased 15-fold over the past 50 years, while in Gravenhurst Bay, concentrations are now 35 times higher than their historical baseline. These changes are due to the heavy use of road salt to keep highways safe during winter months, an invisible but persistent consequence of car-dependent travel. Our transportation choices ripple outward in ways we do not always see
Prioritizing rail, particularly in winter, could be a chance to ease salt use on road networks and reduce the broader environmental impacts associated with heavy vehicle use.
For rail to truly succeed, however, one critical piece must fall into place: supporting the car-free traveller requires more than a train line; it demands a thoughtful “last mile” strategy. On-demand shuttles, local buses, and integrated transit systems are essential to bridge the gap between station platforms and the destinations that define life in the north — the trails, lakes, lodges, and town centres. Without these connections, even the most promising rail service will fall short of its full potential. Meeting this challenge will require co-ordination and vision.
Beyond its environmental promise, bringing back the Northlander is an opportunity to strengthen the regional economy while modernizing lifestyles. Visitors arriving by train are not just passing through, they are stepping into an experience. Muskoka and the Almaguin Highlands are quietly becoming destinations that balance refinement with authenticity, offering everything from farm-to-table dining to world-class golf, all embedded in natural surroundings.
This connection works both ways. As a resident of Huntsville, I’m thrilled the train will open a seamless door to the vibrant energy of Toronto, transforming a demanding drive into an effortless transition and making spontaneous day trips and weekend visits not only possible, but inviting.
I can already imagine boarding locally and arriving at Union Station ready to explore the city. I might wander through Kensington Market, enjoy a quiet glass of wine at The Little Jerry, linger over long lunches at Terroni Adelaide, or browse the aisles of T&T Supermarket, before relaxing in comfort on my journey home.
And, for me, the north still offers something vital: access to some of the most beautiful, protected spaces anywhere, from Killbear Provincial Park to Algonquin Provincial Park, where thoughtful tourism supports conservation and encourages low-impact ways of connecting with the landscape. Opportunities to hike to scenic lookouts or paddle quiet waterways, and conservation efforts of organizations like Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, reflect a shared commitment to stewardship. In this way, the vibrancy of the city and the stillness of the north support a balance, connected by rail in a way that feels both future-forward and quietly familiar.
This article was first published by MuskokaRegion.com.
Madison Menard
This is article No. 21 in the current series, Nurturing Our Watersheds, from Muskoka Watershed Council. Its author is Madison Menard, member of Muskoka Watershed Council, and an ardent environmentalist. The series is edited by Peter Sale.