Bruce Trail
Established and maintained by the volunteer members of The Bruce Trail Association, the 773-km hiking trail follows the Niagara Escarpment from one end to the other. The Bruce Trail is Canada's oldest and longest footpath. Many sections cross private land, and courtesy is a keynote to trail use. Grey County has 250 km of the Bruce Trail in our backyard.
For up-to-date information and guidance, always consult the Bruce Trail Association Reference Handbook, published by The Bruce Trail Association and available at many local visitor information centres and bookstores around Grey County.
Three sections of The Bruce Trail bring hikers to the valleys and vistas of Grey County.
Beaver Valley Section (Craigleith to Blantyrte)
This 79 km section of the trail offers fine views and mazes of rocky crevasses. Every step you take offers beautiful scenery. To get started, follow the Bruce Trail east across a stream and up through a huge fissure to the summit of Metcalf Rock where there is a splendid view of the Kolapore Creek Valley. During the winter months, there is one stretch of this section suitable for cross-country skiing.
Sydenham Section (Blantyre to Wiarton)
Running from Blantyre to Wiarton, about 100 km of trail passes through aspen and birch woods, offering glimpses of creatures ranging from turkey vultures to salamanders, and several spots where wildflowers carpet the trailside. Some other highlights of this portion of the trail include Bruce's Caves and Skinner's bluffs.
Blue Mountains Section (Lavender to Craigleith)
59.1 km passes through an area of high bluffs and deep, wide valleys. You may catch a glimpse of the Briton Bath Osler Estate, a.k.a. "the castle". Built in 1895 this 15 room retreat, on private land, fell into disrepair after the owner's death in 1901.
Between Grey Road 19 and Grey Road 31 is the highest pointon the Bruce Trail.
"High Point", which is what this spot is called in the Bruce Trail guide, is 540 m above sea level.
