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.
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| Permitted Uses of the Bruce Trail |
Bruce Trail Users' Code |
Following Bruce Trail Blazes |
Permitted Uses of the Bruce Trail
The Bruce Trail is a public footpath running from Niagara to Tobermory. It is entirely built and maintained by volunteers for the purpose of protecting the Niagara Escarpment, the most significant landform in southern Ontario.
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The Bruce Trail is a footpath. Bicycles, motorized vehicles, and horses are not allowed except along road sections of the Trail and in those few areas where explicit permission is posted. This applies to both the main Trail (marked with white blazes) and Side Trails (blue blazes). |
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There are three compelling reasons for this:
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1) Respecting landowner wishes More than half the Bruce Trail is on private land with the permission of the landowner. This permission is for pedestrian use only. Any other use could cause the landowner to require removal of the Trail from his or her land. |
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2) Safety The Trail has many bends, twists and steep hills. Sharing it with bicycles, vehicles or horses can be dangerous. Our priority is the safety of hikers so that they don't have to worry about what is coming around the next bend. |
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3) Ecological protection Bicycles, vehicles, and horses can damage the Trail which has been created and maintained for pedestrian use. These uses can also have negative ecological effects on the soil, plants and animals along the Trail. Our goal is to create and maintain a Trail that produces the least possible ecological footprint, but still offers an amazing experience to Trail users. |
The Bruce Trail Conservancy respectfully requests that everyone refrain from using bicycles, motorized vehicles, or horses on the Bruce Trail. Please enjoy the Trail by walking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or walking your leashed dog.
For more information on uses of the trail, contact:
Brian Popelier
Conservation Stewardship Officer
The Bruce Trail Conservancy
1-800-665-4453 ext.30
bpopelier@brucetrail.org
While exploring the Bruce Trail please abide by the Bruce Trail Users' Code:
- Hike only along marked routes. Do not take short cuts.
- Do not climb fences - use the stiles.
- Respect the privacy of people living along the Trail.
- Leave the Trail cleaner than you found it. Carry out all litter.
- No open fires are allowed on the Trail. Use a portable stove.
- Camp only at designated camp sites.
(Read more about Camping along the Bruce Trail) - Leave flowers and plants for others to enjoy.
- Do not damage live trees or strip off bark.
- Keep dogs on a leash and under control at all times.
- Do not disturb wildlife.
- Leave only your thanks and take nothing but photographs.
The Bruce Trail is marked with rectangular blazes painted on trees, fence posts, stiles and rocks.
| White blaze = Main Trail | Blue blaze = Side Trail |
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Blazes are sometimes accompanied by a diamond-shaped Bruce Trail sign, but not always.
Blaze graphic (c) The Bruce Trail Conservancy
Remember:
Trail reroutes and other changes are common on the Bruce Trail
Blazes always take precedence over the route shown on maps.
See recent Trail Reroutes here