Located within Simcoe County and the District Municipality of Muskoka, the highway also provided access to the community of Bala.

It proceeds north at a point where Highway 12 begins to curve west towards Orillia, passing through meadows and forests and the occasional ranch.

The Mnjikaning First Nation territory backs onto the highway at this location, but primary access is via Simcoe County Road 44.

The route 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, it enters the village of Washago, after which it interchanges with Highway 11 south of the Severn River.

[4][5] While Highway 169 no longer exists a provincial route, Highway 11 continues to travel north today as a divided four-lane expressway, crossing the Severn River into the Canadian Shield, where the terrain is rougher, rockier, and dotted with lakes and swamps.

Exiting Gravenhurst, the highway follows close to the western shore of Lake Muskoka, serving recreational cottages.

[4][5] Approximately 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) northwest of Torrance, former Highway 169 passes through Bala shortly after curving north at an intersection with District Road 38.

Due to the complex nature of that highway, only the history of the Brechin – Foot's Bay road is covered here.