Top Places to Hike - Bruce Peninsula
Hiking
The famous Bruce Peninsula Grotto is one of the most visited natural attractions in Ontario. And it has become so popular in the summer months that the Park has created timed slots for visiting this area of the Park. But don’t let this dissuade you. Let it inspire you to hike to the Grotto in spring, fall or winter – all are equally impressive.
But, how do you get to the Grotto? The best hiking route to the Grotto starts with the Cyprus Lake Trail. It’s calm and beautiful. Then take the Georgian Bay Trail to Indian Cove. Here you’ll begin a stunning stretch of scenic views of the crystal clear waters of the Bay. But the trail then becomes a bit of a scramble over rocks as you continue along the coast by way of the Bruce Trail.
Not too far past Indian Cove you’ll find yourself overlooking a magical sea cave filled with blue-green waters. In the summer many climb down to swim in the cave. This is NOT advised as the tide and current can change quickly. And don’t let this be your finally stop before heading back. Continue along to Bolder Beach via the Bruce Trail and up the other side of the beach. Here you’ll find MORE epic views as well as Overhanging Point.
After you’ve wrapped up your hiking along the Bruce Trail you can return back to your starting point via Marr Lake Trail.
Visit the Mary-a-Lago listing to stay close to this attraction.
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The Grotto
The famous Bruce Peninsula Grotto is one of the most visited natural attractions in Ontario. And it has become so popular in the summer months that the Park has created timed slots for visiting this area of the Park. But don’t let this dissuade you. Let it inspire you to hike to the Grotto in spring, fall or winter – all are equally impressive.
But, how do you get to the Grotto? The best hiking route to the Grotto starts with the Cyprus Lake Trail. It’s calm and beautiful. Then take the Georgian Bay Trail to Indian Cove. Here you’ll begin a stunning stretch of scenic views of the crystal clear waters of the Bay. But the trail then becomes a bit of a scramble over rocks as you continue along the coast by way of the Bruce Trail.
Not too far past Indian Cove you’ll find yourself overlooking a magical sea cave filled with blue-green waters. In the summer many climb down to swim in the cave. This is NOT advised as the tide and current can change quickly. And don’t let this be your finally stop before heading back. Continue along to Bolder Beach via the Bruce Trail and up the other side of the beach. Here you’ll find MORE epic views as well as Overhanging Point.
After you’ve wrapped up your hiking along the Bruce Trail you can return back to your starting point via Marr Lake Trail.
Visit the Mary-a-Lago listing to stay close to this attraction.
Another great place to hike in Bruce Peninsula National Park is Halfway Log Dump Day Use Area. And if you’re looking for little to no people then this is your spot. The trail from the parking lot down to the beach is short but offers spectacular views.
The beach is made up of rocks and large boulders, as well as small sea stacks to each side. But if you track back to the Bruce Trail and head north you will eventually come to the Grotto. This is a 7.7 kilometre point-to-point trail.
If you don’t want to venture that far don’t fret. You can still find a special gem along the trail. While there is no markers for it and you’ll have to go off trail there is another cave system here. Smuggler’s Cove is not nearly as popular as the Grotto, but is still a cool find.
Visit the Mary-a-Lago listing to stay close to this attraction.
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Halfway Log Dump Day Use Area
Halfway Dump RoadAnother great place to hike in Bruce Peninsula National Park is Halfway Log Dump Day Use Area. And if you’re looking for little to no people then this is your spot. The trail from the parking lot down to the beach is short but offers spectacular views.
The beach is made up of rocks and large boulders, as well as small sea stacks to each side. But if you track back to the Bruce Trail and head north you will eventually come to the Grotto. This is a 7.7 kilometre point-to-point trail.
If you don’t want to venture that far don’t fret. You can still find a special gem along the trail. While there is no markers for it and you’ll have to go off trail there is another cave system here. Smuggler’s Cove is not nearly as popular as the Grotto, but is still a cool find.
Visit the Mary-a-Lago listing to stay close to this attraction.
Halfway up the Peninsula is a charming little village that is home to my favourite place for hiking on the Bruce Peninsula. At the edge of town you’ll find Lion’s Head Provincial Park. This 500 hectare park is home to one of the oldest and least disturbed forest ecosystems in North America.
This is a great park for bird enthusiasts as well as view seekers. You’ll find a plethora of bird species throughout the park – especially in the spring. But what brings many here are the countless clifftop views of Georgian Bay and the Bruce Peninsula coastline. It’s also home to potholes – and I’m not talking about those pesky road hazards. These are geological potholes that were created and carved out of the rock by water after the last ice age.
Trails through the park include the Bruce Trail and its side trails. But be mindful as, with any hiking on the Niagara Escarpment, the trails are very rugged, with roots, rocks, and sometimes rock scrambles. You can easily spend over 5 hours hiking through Lion’s Head Provincial Park. But the average is around 3 hours, from trailhead to a few of the epic views, and back.
Visit the Mary-a-Lago listing to stay close to this attraction.
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Lions Head Provincial Park
Halfway up the Peninsula is a charming little village that is home to my favourite place for hiking on the Bruce Peninsula. At the edge of town you’ll find Lion’s Head Provincial Park. This 500 hectare park is home to one of the oldest and least disturbed forest ecosystems in North America.
This is a great park for bird enthusiasts as well as view seekers. You’ll find a plethora of bird species throughout the park – especially in the spring. But what brings many here are the countless clifftop views of Georgian Bay and the Bruce Peninsula coastline. It’s also home to potholes – and I’m not talking about those pesky road hazards. These are geological potholes that were created and carved out of the rock by water after the last ice age.
Trails through the park include the Bruce Trail and its side trails. But be mindful as, with any hiking on the Niagara Escarpment, the trails are very rugged, with roots, rocks, and sometimes rock scrambles. You can easily spend over 5 hours hiking through Lion’s Head Provincial Park. But the average is around 3 hours, from trailhead to a few of the epic views, and back.
Visit the Mary-a-Lago listing to stay close to this attraction.
If you’re looking for a slice of history, with ruins and even a spiral staircase, then head to Spirit Rock Conservation Area. Located just north of Wiarton, Spirit Rock is set over 87 hectares and is home to the historic “Corran”. The Corran was the home of Alexander McNeill, a Federal member of Parliament from 1881-1901. It was a large and lavish estate with awesome views of the Escarpment. There is even an old spiral staircase that will take you to the water’s edge below.
You can enjoy hiking along the Bruce Trail here as well as its side trails. The spring is the perfect time to go, when the trilliums are in bloom and blanket the forest floor. There are also a few brilliant views over Colpoy’s Bay and beyond.
Visit the Mary-a-Lago listing to stay close to this attraction.
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Spirit Rock Conservation Area
92 Highway 6If you’re looking for a slice of history, with ruins and even a spiral staircase, then head to Spirit Rock Conservation Area. Located just north of Wiarton, Spirit Rock is set over 87 hectares and is home to the historic “Corran”. The Corran was the home of Alexander McNeill, a Federal member of Parliament from 1881-1901. It was a large and lavish estate with awesome views of the Escarpment. There is even an old spiral staircase that will take you to the water’s edge below.
You can enjoy hiking along the Bruce Trail here as well as its side trails. The spring is the perfect time to go, when the trilliums are in bloom and blanket the forest floor. There are also a few brilliant views over Colpoy’s Bay and beyond.
Visit the Mary-a-Lago listing to stay close to this attraction.
Another cool area to explore and hike on the Bruce Peninsula is Bruce’s Caves Conservation Area. Again, home to the Bruce Trail but its also home to unique cave formations. Unlike the sea caves found further up the Peninsula this cave system is fully land bound.
Caved out by waves and water over 7,000 years ago. The Bruce Caves can be accessed after a short hike through a truly enchanted mossy forest. And it’s free!
Visit the Mary-a-Lago listing to stay close to this attraction.
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Bruce's Caves Conservation Area
Grey Road 1Another cool area to explore and hike on the Bruce Peninsula is Bruce’s Caves Conservation Area. Again, home to the Bruce Trail but its also home to unique cave formations. Unlike the sea caves found further up the Peninsula this cave system is fully land bound.
Caved out by waves and water over 7,000 years ago. The Bruce Caves can be accessed after a short hike through a truly enchanted mossy forest. And it’s free!
Visit the Mary-a-Lago listing to stay close to this attraction.
At the end of an old logging road – in the middle of nowhere, you’ll find Skinner’s Bluff Management Area. Located just north of Owen Sound, it may be a long ride in, but once you see the views it will ALL be worth it. This is another great place to go hiking on the Bruce Peninsula – especially for bird enthusiasts in the spring.
Enjoy hiking forested trails and you’ll see hints of blue in the distance. Keep going because you’ll be swept away by the many viewpoints you’ll find along the trail. One in particular, Skinner’s Bluff, takes you out on a large rock ledge with 180 degree views of Georgian Bay and nearby islands.
But please note that there is no parking lot. You’ll have to pull to the side of the very narrow road, and in the busy summer months you’ll want to get there extra early. Also be aware not to block farmer’s gates.
Visit the Mary-a-Lago listing to stay close to this attraction.
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Skinner's Bluff
At the end of an old logging road – in the middle of nowhere, you’ll find Skinner’s Bluff Management Area. Located just north of Owen Sound, it may be a long ride in, but once you see the views it will ALL be worth it. This is another great place to go hiking on the Bruce Peninsula – especially for bird enthusiasts in the spring.
Enjoy hiking forested trails and you’ll see hints of blue in the distance. Keep going because you’ll be swept away by the many viewpoints you’ll find along the trail. One in particular, Skinner’s Bluff, takes you out on a large rock ledge with 180 degree views of Georgian Bay and nearby islands.
But please note that there is no parking lot. You’ll have to pull to the side of the very narrow road, and in the busy summer months you’ll want to get there extra early. Also be aware not to block farmer’s gates.
Visit the Mary-a-Lago listing to stay close to this attraction.
An absolutely stunning hike to the north side lookout, a less touristy verson of the Lion's Head lookout and only 5 mins down the road from Mary-a-Lago, enter from the Forty Hills parking lot (which is free).
White Bluff
54 Bruce TrailAn absolutely stunning hike to the north side lookout, a less touristy verson of the Lion's Head lookout and only 5 mins down the road from Mary-a-Lago, enter from the Forty Hills parking lot (which is free).
Go to the end of Cemetery Road towards Georgian Bay to access the Bruce Trail and follow the cliff to Lion's Head lookout. This is a full-day adventure and worth every step.
Cemetery Road
Cemetery RoadGo to the end of Cemetery Road towards Georgian Bay to access the Bruce Trail and follow the cliff to Lion's Head lookout. This is a full-day adventure and worth every step.
This is the ultimate hike on the Bruce Trail which meanders to the iconic Lion's Head lookout. Come in the Fall off-season to enjoy free parking and less congestion. Be prepared to plan your hike coming in the busy season May-September and you will have to pay for parking downtown Lion's Head.
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Lion’s Head Lookout
This is the ultimate hike on the Bruce Trail which meanders to the iconic Lion's Head lookout. Come in the Fall off-season to enjoy free parking and less congestion. Be prepared to plan your hike coming in the busy season May-September and you will have to pay for parking downtown Lion's Head.