We thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their financial support to our membership development and land stewardship programs. The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Government of Ontario.
Sunday October 6, 2013
Bruce Trail Day is an annual event celebrating Canada's oldest and longest footpath, hosted by the Bruce Trail Conservancy and each of its nine Bruce Trail Clubs.
Each Club of the Bruce Trail Conservancy is hosting free guided hikes and family activities to help you explore the Bruce Trail, discover the amazing variety of life along the Niagara Escarpment, and celebrate 50 years since the Bruce Trail began.
Come and learn about our year-round hiking programs, trail maintenance opportunities, and what we are doing to establish a conservation corridor from Niagara to Tobermory.
2013 Bruce Trail Day planning is underway and locations have not yet been confirmed. Stay tuned for updates!
Last Year's Bruce Trail Day Events (2012)
Click on a location for more information:
- Niagara College (Niagara-on-the-lake Campus)
- Kerncliff Park (Burlington)
- Terra
Cotta Conservation Area (Halton Hills, NW of Georgetown)
[FREE shuttle bus from Toronto to Bruce Trail Day at Terra Cotta] - Limehouse (Halton Hills, W of Georgewtown)
- Forks of the Credit Provincial Park (Caledon, S of Orangeville)
- Mono
Cliffs Provincial Park (Mono, NE of Orangeville)
- Blue
Mountain (Blue Mountains, W of Collingwood)
- Epping - John Muir Lookout (Epping, SW of Collingwood)
- Lindenwood (NW of Owen Sound)
- Dyer's Bay (Bruce Peninsula, between Lion's Head and Tobermory)
Find all 2012 Bruce Trail Day events on Google Maps here >>
For more information about any Bruce Trail Day event, visit the Club website listed, or contact the BTC at info@brucetrail.org or 1-800-665-4453 ext. 29
Niagara College (Niagara-on-the-lake Campus)
Hosted by: Niagara Bruce Trail Club (www.niagarabrucetrail.org)
Date & Time: Sunday September 30, 2012; 12 pm - 4 pm (last hike leaves at 2 pm)
Description:
Explore a reclaimed wetland on one of two short interpretive hikes lead by student volunteers from Niagara College. Or venture further along the Trail with Club volunteers, past layered rock formations and splendid views of vineyards and orchards on the flat plain below.
Interpretive hikes @ 12:00 noon and 1:00 pm
Main hike @ 2:00 pm
Directions:
Meet at the "Greenhouse" at Niagara College
Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus
135 Taylor Road
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0
GPS: 43.152655,-79.163274
Find on Google Maps here >>
Kerncliff Park (Burlington)
Hosted by: Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club (www.iroquoia.on.ca)
Date & Time: Sunday September 30, 2012; 10:00 am - 3:00 pm (Hikes depart 10:30 am & 1:00 pm
Description:
Kids and adults are invited to join us for a guided hike along the Bruce Trail through Burlington's most scenic park. Walk through a hardwood forest and flowing ravines, enjoy a beautiful view overlooking Burlington and Lake Ontario. Learn more about the Bruce Trail from Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club members, including our year-round hiking program and trail maintenance opportunities. This event is not suitable for persons with walking difficulties or for baby strollers. No pets please.
Directions:
From QEW/ 403, exit at Brant Street and turn north, turn left onto North Service Road, turn right onto Kerns Road, drive up to the top of the escarpment, the park and parking lot will be on your right.
NOTE: Access to Kerns Rd. south from Hwy 5 is no longer available. See here for details>
Meeting point:
GPS: 43.348464, -79.859053
Find on Google Maps here >>
Terra Cotta Conservation Area (FREE shuttle bus from Toronto)
Hosted by: Toronto Bruce Trail Club (www.torontobrucetrailclub.org)
Date & Time: Sunday September 30, 2012; 10:00 am - 3:30 pm
Description:
Explore the variety of life and beautiful fall colours in one of the most scenic sections of the Bruce Trail. Start by warming up at the Watershed Learning Centre and meeting some of your local Bruce Trail volunteers. Then join Credit Valley Conservation staff for a fun-and-fact filled guided hike at 10:00 am or at 1:00 pm.
Free parking at
Terra Cotta Conservation Area for Bruce Trail Day participants.
(Thank you to our partner, Credit Valley Conservation)
Bus from Toronto available (see details in Directions below).
Directions:
Terra Cotta Conservation Area - Watershed Learning
Centre.
14452 Winston Churchill Blvd, Halton Hills, Ontario
GPS: 43.72159, -79.95657
By car:
- From Hwy. #401, exit north and continue on Winston Churchill Blvd.
- Take a slight right at King St.
- Take the second left on to Winston Churchill Blvd
- Terra Cotta Conservation Area is 2 kilometres ahead on the left side of the road
- Go past the gatehouse and go straight through
box horse gate. Take first left into parking lot.
By bus - FREE Chartered bus leaves at 12 noon from Toronto
- Meet at York Mills Subway Station in Toronto
(on Old York Mills Rd near the southern entrance to the subway station) - Bus departs at 12 noon (in time for the 1:00 pm free guided hike)
- No reservations needed.
Limehouse (Halton Hills, Ontario)
Hosted by: Toronto Bruce Trail Club, Halton Hills Chapter (www.torontobrucetrailclub.org)
Date & Time: Sunday September 30, 10:00 am
Description:
Join hikers of the Halton Hills Chapter of the for a picnic hike to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Bruce Trail Conservancy and the Toronto Bruce Trail Club and all the work done by volunteers. There will be displays and information on the Bruce Trail. We'll hike in the Limehouse Conservation area and then enjoy a picnic in the Millenium Garden, next to the parking lot. Bring food to share for our picnic lunch after the hike. All ages are welcome but children but must be accompanied by an adult.
Hike Leader: Heinz Rusche
Meeting Point:
Limehouse Public School, parking lot, Sideroad 22 & 5th Line, Halton Hills
Find on Google Maps here >>
Forks of the Credit Provincial Park
Hosted by: Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club (www.caledonbrucetrail.org)
Date & Time: Sunday September 30, 2012; 10 am - 3 pm; Last hike 2:00 pm
Description:
Join us for a fun-filled day of guided autumn hikes featuring walks to the Cataract Falls, walks around a kettle lake, and more.
Enjoy:
- Our fabulous all-day BBQ onsite - with family-friendly prices
- Boardwalk Building Activity for kids
- Spectacular Views and Fall colours
Check out highlights from Bruce Trail Day 2010 at Forks of the Credit on YouTube >>
Hikes:
10:00 am 2.5 hour scenic hike featuring the Falls of the Cataract
10:30 am 1 hour fall colours hike around Kettle Lake
11:00 am 2.5 hour hike to the Falls of the Cataract and back
11:30 am 1.5 hour hike exploring the park
1:00 pm 2.5 hour scenic hike featuring the Falls of the Cataract
1:30 pm 1.5 hour hike featuring the fall colours
2:00 pm 1 hour fall colours hike around Kettle Lake
Directions:
Meet at Forks of the Credit Provincial Park main parking lot. From Caledon Village go west on Hwy 124 (Charleston Side Road) to McLaren Road. Go South on McLaren Road to Forks of Credit Provincial Park Parking lot.
Free parking at Forks of Credit Provincial Park for Bruce
Trail Day participants.
(Thank you to our partner, Ontario Parks)
Meeting point:
GPS: 43.82493, -80.00410
Find on Google Maps here >>
Mono Cliffs Provincial Park (Mono, NE of Orangeville)
Hosted by: Dufferin Hi-Land Bruce Trail Club (www.dufferinbrucetrailclub.org)
Date & Time: Sunday September 30, 2012; 10 am - 3 pm; Last hike 2pm
Description:
Hikes, hikes hikes! Take a free guided walk on the Bruce Trail and its many looping side trails through Mono Cliffs Provincial Park. See the new beaver dam at McCarston's Lake and take in the views from several lookouts.
Hikes depart every hour and last approximately 1 - 2 hours.
MEMBERSHIP TABLE - Like to hike? Join our club, and enjoy guided hikes year round, social events, trail blazing parties, discounts and more. See samples of our newsletter and magazine. Drop by our Membership table/display for more information.
KIDS TABLE- It's a "hands on" fun for children 12 and under. Learn about special habitats and animals as you build a bird-feeder or make an Owl Whistle with help from Ontario Parks staff
TRAIL BUILDERS' AREA - Interested in helping to "Build the Bruce?" Talk to any of our volunteers about joining a crew to help build bridges, clear trails, blaze the path and much more. Training provided.
Sausages, hot dogs & refreshments on sale.
Everyone
is welcome to enjoy a piece of Bruce Trail cake, cut at noon.
Directions:
Follow Hwy. 10 north from Orangeville to Camilla. Turn right on 15th Side Rd. (Dufferin County Rd. 8) to village of Mono Centre. Turn right at Mono Centre and follow signs to 3rd Line EHS, Mono. Go north to Mono Cliffs Park entrance and parking lot. From the east, 15th Side Rd. (Dufferin County Rd. 8) is accessible from Airport Rd.
Meeting point:
GPS: 44.04679, -80.06221
Find on Google Maps here >>
Blue Mountain
Hosted by: Blue Mountains Bruce Trail Club (www.bmbtc.org)
Date & Time: Sunday September 30, 2012; 10 am - 12 pm
Description:
Enjoy the fall colours and magnificent views of the Village at Blue, Collingwood and Georgian Bay on this free interpretive hike at the top of Blue Mountain lead by Bruce Trail volunteers.
Directions:
From Collingwood travel west on First Street. Continue through the traffic lights at High Street onto Mountain Road, through the next set of lights to the new traffic circle. Take the Scenic Caves road exit and drive to the top of the escarpment to Swiss Meadows Road. Turn right onto Swiss Meadows Road and enter the first parking lot on your right.
Meeting point:
GPS: 44.49560, -80.32183
Find on Google Maps here >>
Epping - John Muir Lookout (Epping, SW of Collingwood)
Hosted by: Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club (www.beavervalleybrucetrail.org)
Date & Time: Sunday September 30, 2012; Hikes at 1:30 pm & 2:30 pm
Description:
Explore the Trail and take in beautiful views over the Beaver Valley.
Choose from a 2 hour hike at 1:30 pm or a 1 hour hike at 2:30 pm.
Bring friends and family and enjoy our after-hike treats. Details in local newspapers or call Christine Blake at 705-446-9592.
Meeting Point:
Parking lot for Epping John Muir Lookout Conservation Area
Grey Rd 7 (aka Eric Winklet Parkway), 300 m north of 19 Sideroad
Lindenwood (NW of Owen Sound)
Hosted by: Sydenham Bruce Trail Club (www.sydenhambrucetrail.ca)
Date & Time: Sunday September 30, 2012; Hikes at 1:00 pm & 2:00 pm
Description:
Home to rare species and fantastic geologic features, the Bruce Trail Conservancy's Lindenwood property is a great Bruce Trail Day destination. Join volunteers from the Sydenham Club on an exploration of Lindenwood's many Escarpment habitats. Look for the rare Hart's Tongue fern, explore a unique alvar, visit a beaver pond, and learn more about what the Club and the BTC are doing to protect and to explore this area.
Hikes start at 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm.
Short loop: 2.5 km (Lindenwood Side Trail and Alvar
Side Trail)
Long loop: 6 km (Along the Main Trail past
a beaver pond and back).
Directions:
Head north from Owen Sound on County Rd. 1, past the Cobble
Beach Golf Resort, then turn left (west) on Lindenwood Road. Follow this
road for 2.5 km until it climbs up the Escarpment. The property on your
left is the Lindenwood property. The parking lot is just 500 meters further
west, on your left.
Meeting Point:
GPS: 44.685459, -80.995912
Find on Google Maps here >>
Dyer's Bay (Bruce Peninsula, between Lion's Head and Tobermory)
Hosted by: Peninsula Bruce Trail Club (www.pbtc.ca)
Date & Time: Sunday September 30, 2012; Hike departs at 9 am
Part of the Bruce Peninsula Outdoor Festival, Sept. 28-30, 2012
Description:
The Bruce Trail Day Hike will start from the Dyers Bay Parking Lot at 9:00 am. This year the event will celebrate three major contributions to the Bruce Trail, all with a Michigan connection.
- The first stop will be at the Michiganders Plaque, recognizing the large donation of land last year by a group of Michigan residents.
- Next we will stop at the intersection of the newly designated Ann and Clayton Roberts Side Trail. The Roberts, also Michigan residents, are long time Dyers Bay summer residents and have worked tirelessly over the years on nearby trail sections.
- Finally we will explore the new trails on the Lillie Property and visit the future site of the plaque that will mark this donation. All this of course on what many consider the most scenic part of the entire Bruce Trail.
- From the Lillie property there will be an opportunity to head back to the parking lot via Britain Lake Road or to continue on to the Devil's Monument and return via the Minhinnick Side Trail
Bruce Peninsula Outdoor Festival (Sept. 28-30, 2012) is several days of activity and presentations embracing the spectacular North Bruce Peninsula. This year the Festival is in its 9th year and invites you to "Walk on the Wild Side". Visit www.pbtc.ca/festival for details and registration, and Bruce Trail Day hikes information. The Festival is a pre-register event with minimal costs but the Sunday Bruce Trail Day hikes are free to all.
Directions:
Meeting Point: Dyer's Bay parking area, Dyer's Bay Road, Dyers Bay.
GPS: 45.16232805610,-81.34037712430
Find on Google Maps here >>
For more information about any Bruce Trail Day event, visit the Club website listed, or contact the BTC at:
info@brucetrail.org or 1-800-665-4453 ext. 29
Bruce Trail Day 2012 proudly sponsored by: 