Three Capes Track, Tasmania

Posted on October 18, 2017 by Rick Mc

46km, 4 days

Maximum 48 hikers starting each day.

When the Three Capes Track opened two days before Christmas 2015, it immediately set a new benchmark for Australian bushwalks, creating a hike that’s both heady and hedonistic, combining the raw beauty of the southern hemisphere’s highest sea cliffs with comforts and interpretation unsurpassed by any other trail in the country.

… its finest moments come when the track teeters along the cliff edge on its approach to Cape Pillar and the Blade. As the Roaring 40s winds inevitably howl in from the Southern Ocean, there’s a humbling sense of being poised at the edge of the world. …

How to walk Tasmania’s Three Capes Track

3CT Map

Before you get too excited know that this is a private hike – cost AU$495.

Book here.

The Bruce – Wiarton to Tobermory 2018

Posted on September 29, 2017 by Rick Mc

by site editor Rick McCharles

I spent a week hiking some of the best sections of the 890 km (550 mi) Bruce Trail in Ontario. I called it research.

Wiarton to Tobermory on the Bruce Peninsula is the best week long section, I reckon. That’s 165.7 km / 8-9 days averaging 16-20 km per day. Additional time is needed for recommended side trips.

I like the cliff top views over farmland and Georgian Bay.

September / early October looks to be the best time as mosquitoes have almost disappeared and accommodation is less booked up.

I’m planning to hike this section September 2018.

details – Wiarton to Tobermory

Best of The Bruce – Jones Bluff

Posted on September 24, 2017 by Rick Mc

trip report by best hike editor Rick McCharles

Parking at Jones Bluff Side Trail parking offers a 7.1 km loop most of which is on The Bruce.

It skirts the Niagara Escarpment looking down hundreds of feet to farmland.

This hike is a little more overgrown than the others I walked.

A long way down.

For the first time I notices autumn colours arriving. It was September 16th.

This hike is all good. I enjoyed every step. Carried no backpack.

Highly recommended.

See my photos on Flickr.

The Bruce Trail is more than 890 km (550 mi) long and there are over 400 km (250 mi) of associated side trails. I spent a week hiking some of the best sections.

Explore the Bruce – Jones Bluff Loop

• 10 Best Hikes of the Bruce Trail

• Bruce Trail app | Bruce Trail Reference Guide – 29th Ed

• BruceTrail.org

Best of The Bruce – Jackson’s Cove

Posted on September 23, 2017 by Rick Mc

trip report by site editor Rick McCharles

A nice little day hike. Birders like this area. Hikers come for wild flowers in the Spring.

I’m happiest hiking in the autumn, however. Very few mosquitoes. The harvest done.

I put on the long pants in fear of Poison Ivy.

Leaves of three, let it be …

This was a peaceful and relaxing loop. I did see other hikers out enjoying it on a Saturday in good weather.

Amazing views off the Niagara Escarpment.

Geese are already on the move.

Lovely.

White blazes are The Bruce. Blue are Bruce side trails.

See my photos on Flickr.

The Bruce Trail is more than 890 km (550 mi) long and there are over 400 km (250 mi) of associated side trails. I spent a week hiking some of the best sections.

Explore the Bruce – Jackson’s Cove

• 10 Best Hikes of the Bruce Trail

• Bruce Trail app | Bruce Trail Reference Guide – 29th Ed

• BruceTrail.org

Best of The Bruce – Lion’s Head

Posted on September 22, 2017 by Rick Mc

trip report by site editor Rick McCharles

I enjoyed my meal and fast wifi at Rachel’s Bakery and 50’s Diner. Too much.

Turned out I stayed too long.

To make it to McKay’s Harbour Overnight Rest Area I’d need to hike fast.

I parked at the Cemetery Road trailhead and dashed into the … apple trees.

The Bruce here is a gorgeous hike along the Niagara Escarpment with views out to Barrow Bay.

The footing is tricky. Especially approaching cliff edge.

It was getting dark far too quickly.

Finally I decided to wild camp rather than risk stumbling on in the dark. This spot was excellent, actually. (The cross pole on my tent broke, however. Design failure for the Hubba NX.)

Next morning — at the turnoff — the name changes to the Cotswold Way – Bruce Friendship Trail.

No rush this morning. I stopped to enjoy the views much more often than the previous evening.

The Lion’s Head is one of these jutting overhangs.

This is a pothole in a glacial erratic.

I took the Ilse Hanel to loop back to my vehicle. There are many options on the Lion’s Head. And it’s so well signed you never need to pull out your map.

Happy to be back at the trailhead after about 15km total. No damage done to the vehicle overnight.

See my photos on Flickr.

The Bruce Trail is more than 890 km (550 mi) long and there are over 400 km (250 mi) of associated side trails. I spent a week hiking some of the best sections.

Explore the Bruce – Lion’s Head

• 10 Best Hikes of the Bruce Trail

• Bruce Trail app | Bruce Trail Reference Guide – 29th Ed

• BruceTrail.org

Best of The Bruce – High Dump

Posted on September 21, 2017 by Rick Mc

trip report by site editor Rick McCharles

Bruce Peninsula National Park was busy, even in September.

Still Canada 150. All National Parks free in 2017.

Having driven up from Toronto it was 3:30pm before I went to book a backcountry campsite.

Stormhaven was full. I could book High Dump … but it there was a chance I couldn’t hike in by dark. The Ranger recommended I access by Crane Lake trailhead.

Instead I drove to Bartley Lake trailhead, a much more scenic approach.

The trailhead sign said 6.7 km to the campground turnoff. But this is considered the “most challenging hiking along the entire length of the Bruce Trail”.

I was immediately confused by these gold on white signs. They appear to be km markers. But are not.

Though rushed I couldn’t resist side tripping over to the first half dozen or so cliff edge viewpoints.

The Bruce follows the top of the Niagara Escarpment.

Though the waters look tropical, they are freezing.

The first sign of humanity. A woman collecting water from Georgian Bay. I was nearly there.

It was still light by the time I lowered myself (on a comfort rope) down to High Dump camp. (It’s rarely easy to climb or descend these cliffs.)

Though I’d paid for (CAD$21.50) a dark inland site I set up my tent instead close to the beach.

What a gorgeous evening.

Next morning was foggy. But soon cleared.

Here’s a properly cooked bagel.

Backtracking to my rent-a-van I was in no rush. The light was better, too, for enjoying the unique scenery.

All in all, a great adventure.

See my photos on Flickr.

The Bruce Trail is more than 890 km (550 mi) long and there are over 400 km (250 mi) of associated side trails. I spent a week hiking some of the best sections.

• 10 Best Hikes of the Bruce Trail

• Bruce Trail app | Bruce Trail Reference Guide – 29th Ed

• BruceTrail.org

Best of The Bruce – Georgian Bay Trail

Posted on September 20, 2017 by Rick Mc

trip report by site editor Rick McCharles

To research the best sections of the Bruce Trail I drove to the northern end – Bruce Peninsula National Park (established 1987).

My first visit.

Very popular. Well run. Rangers gave me good information on hiking.

There’s a tall viewing platform just outside the Visitor Centre.

“A sea of forest.”

I come from western Canada. The wild west is the best. The east … is not. More often than not I refer to this Province as On-terrible.

Still, I was excited to finally get on to the most famous hiking trail in the most populous Province.

Pretty much every visitor heads directly to the Cyprus Lake trailhead.

I did one of the standard short loops – Georgian Bay Trail out, Mar Lake Trail back.

It’s pretty. But pretty crowded. I didn’t stop long at any of the recommended stops.

See my photos on Flickr.

The Bruce Trail is more than 890 km (550 mi) long and there are over 400 km (250 mi) of associated side trails. I spent a week hiking some of the best sections.

• 10 Best Hikes of the Bruce Trail

• Bruce Trail app | Bruce Trail Reference Guide – 29th Ed

• BruceTrail.org