Bruce Trail

Understand

The land the trail traverses is owned by the Government of Ontario, local municipalities, local conservation authorities, private landowners, and the Bruce Trail Conservancy. The Bruce Trail is the oldest and longest marked hiking trail in Canada. The trail is named after Bruce County, which was named after James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin who was Governor General of the Province of Canada from 1847 to 1854. There are many waterfalls along the Bruce Trail, where streams or rivers flow over the Niagara Escarpment. Niagara Falls, by far the most famous water feature in the area, can be reached by a side trail of the Bruce Trail proper. There is also a wide range of plant and wildlife along the trail, including slow-growing centuries-old coniferous trees right on the limestone lip of the escarpment. The Cheltenham Badlands is a natural feature exposed by human activity, namely farming. The Bruce Trail and the escarpment run through some of the most populated areas of Ontario, with an estimated 7 million people living within 100 km (62 mi).

Bruce Trail Conservancy, ☏ +1-800-665-4453. A trail association and a land trust dedicated to establishing a conservation corridor along the Bruce Trail. (updated Jun 2020)

Prepare

It passes through parks operated by various levels of government, including Woodend Conservation Area in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Battlefield Park in Stoney Creek, Dundas Valley Conservation Area in Dundas, the Hamilton-Brantford Rail Trail, Mount Nemo Conservation Area, Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area, Crawford Lake Conservation Area, Mono Cliffs Provincial Park, and the Bruce Peninsula National Park, which is located between Georgian Bay and Lake Huron near the northern tip of Bruce Peninsula. Its northern terminus is in Tobermory, the jumping-off point for Fathom Five National Marine Park. Approximately half of the trail runs through public land. In order to make a complete connection the trail runs partly on private property and partly on road allowances. When going through private property, the conservancy has made agreements with landowners to allow trail users to pass through.

The main trail is marked with the Bruce Trail Conservancy logo, a white lozenge with black text and drawings for the Bruce Trail and an upward pointing arrow, which does not act as a part of a navigational marker. The blazes for the main trail are white markings, approximately 3 cm (1 in) wide by 8 cm (3 in) high, with turns indicated by stacking two blazes off centre to indicate the direction to take. The blazes for the 300 km (190 mi) of associated side trails are similar, except they are blue. The record for completing the Bruce Trail solo is 8 days, 22 hours, 15 minutes, set in 2021. It is more typical for anyone completing the trail end-to-end to do so in sections, over months or years, at a somewhat more comfortable pace. Overnight trips require careful planning; there are only limited opportunities for camping directly along the trail, so travel time between the trail and each night's campground, hotel or B&B will add considerable time and distance to a hike.

Get in

The main trail is 904 km long, and its side trails add another 462 km, so there are many access points through a huge region. Parking is available on local streets, in small lots, or at parks and conservation areas. Parking fees or reservations are increasingly common in popular lots. When parking on-street, always pay attention to local signage and be careful to avoid parking on private property. Transit, taxi, and ride-share services vary by region. If you're planning a one-way hike, make sure you can arrange transport near the trail where you plan on ending the day.

Walk

The trail begins in the Niagara Peninsula in Queenston, on the Niagara River, not far from Niagara Falls. It ends to the north in Tobermory, on the Bruce Peninsula. However, there is no official direction on the trail; hikers can start or finish at either end, or join the trail at many points along the route.

The 1 Southern Terminus Cairn, is in Queenston Heights Park, Niagara-on-the-Lake. From there, the "General Brock Side Trail" follows the Niagara Parkway north from the cairn to the 2 Fort George National Historic Site near Niagara-on-the-Lake’s downtown. Accommodations and visitor information are available in town. Heading west from the cairn, the "Upper Canada Heritage Trail" passes through vineyards and countryside to re-join the main trail at the "Laura Secord Heritage Trail". The trail follows the northern edge of the City of 3 Niagara Falls, and meanders west to the "Wetland Ridge and Niagara College Side Trails" lead to the Niagara College Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus (served by GO Transit bus).

The trail enters 4 St. Catharines near the "Welland Canal". The 5 Morningstar Mill and Decew Falls is a preserved mill surrounded by several picturesque waterfalls. St. Catharines is well connected to the Greater Toronto Area and beyond by bus and train. A side trail connects to 6 Thorold. The Bert Lowe Side Trail and Welland Canals Pathway lead to the 7 Allanburg Bridge over the Welland Canal. Continuing west, the main trail passes through 8 Short Hills Provincial Park which provides additional hiking routes and parking, but no other facilities or services. The trail enters 9 Lincoln through the Rockway Conservation Area. 10 Ball’s Falls Conservation Area provides parking, washrooms, and trails with views of two waterfalls. The trail crosses over Thirty Mile Creek entering 11 Grimsby. Further west, a small lookout platform at 12 Grimsby Point offers a panoramic view over Grimsby and Lake Ontario. The "Forty Mile Creek" provides a connection north to Lake Ontario and Grimsby’s downtown. A short side trail heading south leads to 13 Beamer’s Falls. Regional and long distance buses and VIA Rail serve the town. Accommodations are available, primarily in the west p

Stay safe

Hiking along the Bruce Trail is, generally, not dangerous or difficult. Some sections in the north are wild, rocky and remote, but most of the trail is suitable for moderately active, healthy people. Animal hazards include coyotes, Black bears, rattlesnakes, Ticks and Lyme Disease, bees, mosquitoes, other stinging insects. Plant hazards include poison ivy, which can give you a very nasty allergic reaction and rash, giant hogweed, which can result in severe and painful burning and blistering, and wild parsnip, which causes similar but less severe reactions than hogweed. During hunting season, the dates of which vary by region, wear bright orange or another bright colour.

Go next

From Tobermory, the Chi-Cheemaun ferry provides access to Manitoulin Island. At the southern end, Niagara Falls offers additional attractions and connections throughout southern Ontario.