Q8. Which section of the Bruce Trail offers challenging and often remote hiking, with interesting flora, fauna and geology? (P44)

Adventures for Daytrippers

Why look further than our own spectacular Bruce Trail next time you're looking for a 'day away'? The Bruce Trail is Canada's oldest and longest footpath and takes you across and all around the magnificent Niagara Escarpment.

The Escarpment is 893.9 kilometres long (a football field is .1 km!) It starts at Niagara Falls in the south, and stretches to the tip of the Bruce Peninsula at Tobermory in the north.

There are four important things to remember:

• The trail is designed to be walked (no bikes or motorized vehicles except if marked on a roadway).
• The Bruce Trail website, as well as websites for the Bruce Trail Clubs, have all the information and directions you need (brucetrail.org)
• Because the trail is a protected ecological area and passes across private property, you have to carefully follow the rules and guidelines.
• Don't forget, if you hike 5km in one direction, you will need to go back 5km.
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Niagara: Queenston to Grimsby

0 - 76.9 km

The southern terminus of the Bruce Trail is located at the stone cairn in Queenston Heights Park, near the famous Niagara Falls. The park is perched in the west side of a deep gorge carved over the centuries by the Niagara River. On the way through St. Catharines and Thorold, hikers will pass all four of the Welland Canals. Niagara is recognized as Ontario's wine region and many parts of the Bruce Trail in this section skirt past wineries.

Suggested Hikes:
Louth Side Trail (1.5 km)
Rockway Falls Side Trail (2.5 km)
Terrace Creek Side Trail (3.7 km)
Woodend Conservation Area (1.5 km)
brucetrail.org/places/9

Iroquoia: Grimsby to Milton

76.9 - 202.4 km

This section of the Trail begins by the ancient shoreline of Lake Iroquois. Waterfalls of all sizes are abundant in this section, and include Albion, Tiffany, Sherman, Webster's, and Tew's Falls. The Trail passes through Crawford Lake Conservation Area which contains a rare meromictic lake and a reconstructed 15th century Iroquoian Village.

Suggested Hikes:
Crawford Lake Conservation Area Trails (0.75 or 3.2 km)
Mt Nemo Conservation Area loop (4.6 km)
Kerncliff Park & Ian Reid Side Trail (1.4 km)
Ray Lowes Side Trail (4 km)
brucetrail.org/places/8

Toronto: Kelso to Creditview Road

202.4 - 252.9 km

This section's highlights include the Trail winding through the Hilton Falls and Limehouse Conservation Areas, the interesting Scotsdale Farm property and the spectacular Silver Creek Valley. Each site offers unique vantage points, with the best access to natural spaces in this increasingly urban area.

Suggested Hikes:
Hilton Falls Conservation Area (5 km)
Scotsdale Farm & Maureen Smith Side Trail (6 km)
Silver Creek & Roberts Side Trail (2.9 km)
brucetrail.org/places/7

Caledon Hills: Creditview Road to Mono Centre

252.9 - 323.1 km

In the Caledon Hills section, the Trail follows the glacial moraine deposits on top of the buried Escarpment. Mature hardwood forests and wetlands allow for wonderful birding opportunities. This section is also very popular for its fall colour display.

Suggested Hikes:
Devil's Pulpit and the Hoffman Lime Kiln Ruins (2.6 km)
Peter Beecham Side Trail Loop (3 km)
Hockley Valley & the Tom East Side Trail (4.6 km)
brucetrail.org/places/6

Dufferin Hi-Land: Mono Centre to Lavender

323.1 - 376.9 km

In the Dufferin Hi-Land section, parts of the Bruce Trail follow the line of Hurontario Street, which was the main road into the area in pioneer days and linked Lake Ontario with Georgian Bay. Along the Trail, there are long views to the east and pleasant walks through mature, mixed hardwood forests.

Suggested Hikes:
Boyne Valley Side Trail Loop (5.8 km)
Kilgorie Side Trail Loop (2.7 km)
brucetrail.org/places/5

Blue Mountains: Lavender to Craigleith

376.9 - 441.1 km

This section opens up into the large plateau of the Loree Forest above Nottawasaga Bay. Turning south, the Trail then leads to high ground overlooking the Beaver River. Dolostone cliffs are plentiful in this section; Kimberley Rock and Old Baldy stand high above the village of Kimberley. Hoggs Falls is another "not to miss" feature of this section.

Suggested Hikes:
Nottawasaga Bluffs Loop (4 km)
Singhampton Caves (3.5 km)
North Rim of Pretty River Valley (4.8 km)
Pretty River Side Trail (5.1 km)
brucetrail.org/places/4

Beaver Valley: Craigleith to Blantyre

441.1 - 557.0 km

This section opens up into the large plateau of the Loree Forest above Nottawasaga Bay. Turning south, the Trail then leads to high ground overlooking the Beaver River. Dolostone cliffs are plentiful in this section; Kimberley Rock and Old Baldy stand high above the village of Kimberley. Hoggs Falls is another "not to miss" feature of this section.

Suggested Hikes:
Loree Forest Loop (7.1 km)
Metcalfe's Rock (2.4 km)
Margaret Paull Side Trail Loop (3.4 km)
Siegerman Side Trail Loop (3.1 km)
brucetrail.org/places/3

Sydenham: Blantyre to Wiarton

557.0 - 728.3 km

This section of the Trail starts with a trip through the valley of the Bighead River, then winds along the Escarpment to the expansive Bayview Escarpment Nature Reserve. Spectacular views of Georgian Bay are plentiful in this section. Waterfalls are also a hiker's delight. Near Owen Sound, the Sydenham River tumbles over the famous Inglis Falls. The Sydenham section is home to provincially rare ferns, such as the Hart's Tongue Fern.

Suggested Hikes:
Chris Walker Loop (1.9 km)
Ross McLean Loop (3 km)
Kemble Mountain Loop (2.9 km)
Walter's Falls Loop (4.5 km)
brucetrail.org/places/2

Peninsula: Wiarton to Tobermory

728.3 - 893.9 km

This is challenging and often remote hiking, with interesting flora, fauna and geology. The white cliffs and green vegetation contrast with the deep blue waters of Georgian Bay, making for breathtaking views throughout this section. The area from high Dump to Tobermory is the most remote and among the most scenic parts of the Bruce Trail. The last 30 km stretch across high cliffs overlooking blue waters. Finally, the Trail reaches the northern terminus, the cairn, perched beside Tobermory's picturesque harbour.

Suggested Hikes:
Burnt Point Loop (4.5 km)
Cape Dundas Loop (6.1 km)
Devil's Monument Loop (2 km)
Rural Rocks Side Trail (4.4 km)
Hope Bay Nature Reserve (3.6 km)
brucetrail.org/places/1