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The main route from Toronto to Algonquin Provincial Park passes through the Muskoka Lakes , a region of more than 1500 lakes and hundreds of urbanite cottage retreats. Named after an Ojibwa chief, Mesqua-Ukee, who settled here with his people after aiding the British during the War of 1812, the area was opened to tourism in 1860, when two hikers made the two-day trek from Toronto to a small Ojibwa settlement at what is now Gravenhurst. By the 1890s, the lakes had become the haunt of wealthy families from Southern Ontario and although things are more democratic today, this is still primarily the preserve of the well-heeled. The main access towns to the Muskoka Lakes - Gravenhurst , Bracebridge and Huntsville - are strung out along Hwy 11. None of them have much to offer the passing visitor and neither, for that matter, do the lakes. Just driving round is well-nigh pointless, though there are a couple of splendid hotel-resorts to aim for. Public transport is limited to Hwy 11 with Ontario Northland buses going to all three major Muskoka towns on their way from Toronto to North Bay. Huntsville and Gravenhurst can also be reached by rail .
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