Category: coastal

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

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

September 23, 2017September 19, 2017

Best of The Bruce – Jackson’s Cove

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.

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

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

September 22, 2017September 19, 2017

Best of The Bruce – Lion’s Head

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.

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

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

September 21, 2017September 19, 2017

Best of The Bruce – High Dump

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.

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.

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

September 20, 2017September 19, 2017

Best of The Bruce – Georgian Bay Trail

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.

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.

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