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The 10 Best Hiking Spots Along Ontario’s Bruce Trail

By April 29, 2022June 22nd, 2023No Comments

Did you know that the Bruce Trail is the longest marked hiking trail in Canada?

The Bruce Trail follows the entire stretch of the Niagara Escarpment from Niagara Falls to Tobermory. It is considered the oldest and longest marked hiking trail in Canada. It is 840 km long, with over 440 km of side trails. 

The only marked trail longer in this massive country is the Trans Canada Trail geared more for walking, which stretches a monumental 28,000 km from coast-to-coast.

Hiking The Bruce Trail

It takes about 6 weeks to hike the entire Bruce Trail but it is more commonly done in 20 km sections, which can be hiked in 45 single day trips.

Using people do it in groups through the Bruce Trail Conservancy, which is a non-profit that supports conservation and hiking on Canada’s oldest and longest footpath.

The Bruce Trail Conservancy has a number of popular clubs throughout Ontario which you can join to hike in a group and learn more about the fascinating ecology of the UNESCO Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve from experienced naturalists.

Here are my 10 favourite hiking spots along the Bruce Trail:

1. Bruce Peninsula (map)

One of the best stretches of the Bruce Trail passes through awe-inspiring Cypress Lake in Bruce Peninsula National Park. A great spot for swimming in the summer.
One of the best stretches of the Bruce Trail passes through awe-inspiring spots in Bruce Peninsula National Park such Cypress Lake, The Grotto and Overhanging Point.

2. Lions Head (map)

The beautiful trails in Lions Head Provincial Park offer some of the best vistas of the azul clear waters of Georgian Bay.
The beautiful trails in Lions Head Provincial Park offer some of the best vistas of the azul clear waters of Georgian Bay.

3. Short Hills (map)

Decew Falls in Short Hills Provincial Park
Along the Bruce Trail in Short Hills Provincial Park you can visit 7 waterfalls in one day. Highlights include Upper Decew Falls (pictured), Lower Decew Falls, Terrace Creek Falls and Rockway Falls.

4. Kerncliff Park (map)

Where the Niagara Escarpment turns northwest, you will find Kerncliff Park and it’s beautiful forests, lookouts and natural springs. From here, it’s a beautiful 2-hour hike through ancient forests to Smokey Hollow Falls.

5. Dundas Valley (map)

Starting in Dundas Valley Conservation Area you can reach 5 beautiful waterfalls along the Bruce Trail in a day. Highlights include Tiffany Falls, Sherman Falls, Webster Falls and Tew Falls.

6. Mount Nemo (map)

On a clear day you can see the skyline of Toronto and Lake Ontario in the distance from lookout at Mount Nemo. The Bruce Trail hike from Mount Nemo to Rattlesnake Point is a must-do day hike for fit hikers.

7. Rattlesnake Point (map)

Rattlesnake Point offers lot of excellent hiking trails through the nearby Nassageweya Canyon to Crawford Lake where you can visit a re-built First Nations village that dates back to the 15th century.

8. Pretty River (map)

Take in the splendour of all the spring trilliums, Ontario’s provincial flower, which can be found in abundance along the Bruce Trail hiking trails in Pretty River Provincial Park.

9. Hockley Valley (map)

Hockley Valley Provincial Park offers lots of great hiking along the Bruce Trail and some of the finest stands of Carolinian forests found in Southern Ontario.

10. Terra Cotta (map)

The hiking trails through Terra Cotta Conversation Area pass through tranquil forests with beautiful valleys, cliffs and bedrock plains mixed with wetlands and streams.

If you’re curious about more spots to hike along the Bruce Trail, here is a massive list of all the best hiking spots along the Bruce Trail from Niagara Falls to Tobermory.

Kyle Pearce
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