Trails
Grey County is a great place to bring your hiking boots and camera! Premier scenic lookouts offer panoramic views atop the Niagara Escarpment, while rolling hills provide pristine natural scenery and solitude among our treed forests. Fall Hiking in Grey from brian hunt on Vimeo.
The Bruce Trail
The Bruce Trail is Canada’s oldest and longest footpath, stretching from Queenston in the Niagara Region to Tobermory at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula . Following the magnificent Niagara Escarpment, The Bruce Trail provides public access to this special area, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and one of only twelve such reserves in all of Canada. The Bruce Trail Conservancy is a charitable organization committed to establishing a conservation corridor containing a public footpath along the Niagara Escarpment, in order to protect its natural ecosystems and to promote environmentally responsible public access to this UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
Over 250 kms of the Bruce Trail, more than 1/3 its total length, follow the Niagara Escarpment through Grey County. Three member clubs maintain this incredible trail in Grey County, and are passionate volunteers. Join them for an introductory hike or consider becoming a member to support the continued protection of the Bruce Trail.
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 1985 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 point on the Bruce Trail. "High Point", which is what this spot is called in the Bruce Trail Guide, is 540 m above sea level.
Suggested Hikes:
Nottawasaga Bluffs Loop (4 km)
Singhampton Caves (3.5 km)
The North Rim of the Pretty River Valley (4.8 km)
The Pretty River Side Trail (5.1 km)
Beaver Valley Section (Craigleith to Blantyre)
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 Metcalfe's 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.
Suggested Hikes:
Loree Forest Loop (7.1 km)
Margaret Paull Side Loop (3.4 km)
Metcalfe's Rock (2.4 km)
Siegerman Side Trail Loop (3.1 km)
Sydenham Section (Blantyre to Wiarton)
Running from Blantyre to Wiarton, about 100 km of the 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 Bluff.
Suggested Hikes:
Chris Walker Loop (1.9 km)
Kemble Mountain Loop (2.9 km)
Ross McLean Loop (3 km)
Walter's Falls Loop (4.5 km)
Grey County Forests
The County itself owns more than 8 thousand acres of forest. Hiking is one of the most popular pastimes, and a large number of the forests are open to hikers and have marked trails. Most of these properties also permit snowshoeing, and a few support cross-country skiing. A wide range of County Forests also permit mountain biking, among them Copper Kettle; Kolapore Uplands; and the Fish Hatchery property. For a complete list of County Forests, please check the County of Grey website.
Conservation Lands
Grey Sauble Conservation Authority and Saugeen Conservation Authority own and manage large areas comprised of important wetland complexes, managed forests and recreation parks throughout Grey & Bruce. Conservation Areas provide a variety of hiking, walking, mountain biking, and nature interpretation activities. Here are a few of our favourite trails:
Grey Sauble Conservation Areas:
Inglis Falls Conservation Area, near Owen Sound
Indian Falls CA Owen Sound
Eugenia Falls CA
Pottawatomi Conservation Area (Owen Sound)
Bruces Caves CA (Wiarton)
Feversham Gorge CA
Old Baldy CA (Kimberley)
Saugeen Valley Conservation Areas:
Durham CA
Allan Park CA (between Hanover & Durham)
Kinghurst (near Dornoch)
Community Trails
Georgian Trail
This trail stretches 32km from Meaford to Collingwood. It is accessed along Highway 26 and is used by hikers, cyclists, snowshoers and cross country skiers.
Flesherton Walking Village
An area of abandonned farmland and orchards, woods, and beaver ponds, which has been designated for outdoor studies, and has an extensive network of trails for hiking and cross-country skiing. Go down Campbell Street (west off Toronto St - Hwy 10, 2nd street south of the lights) past MacPhail School. All the trails are clearly marked and you can simply wander and explore.
Georgian Bluffs Trail
This trail can be accessed at Kelso Beach follows the Niagara Escarpment offering magnificent panoramic vistas of Owen Sound and Georgian Bay. It is utilized by horseback riders, cyclists, hikers and cross country skiers.
Hanover Trail System
The Hanover trail is in the heart of the community provides 11 km of trail system used throughout all 4 seasons. It is accessible from 7th Avenue North, in Hanover. This trail is used by hikers, cyclists, snowshoers and cross country skiers.
Trout Hollow Trail
Trout Hollow trail is 14km in length and is located in Meaford along the Big Head River. The trailway can be accessed from Beautiful Joe Park. Hikers are permitted.
Related Links :
www.brucegreytrails.com
www.brucetrail.org/
www.greysauble.on.ca
www.svca.on.ca
www.trailsofgeorgianbay.com/index.html
