Bruce Peninsula National Park Trails

The Bruce Peninsula sits at the top of Bruce Trail and at its very top is the Bruce Peninsula National
Park. As Parks go this is rather recent and it encompasses the Bruce Peninsula roughly north east
south west just north of Cabot Head on the Georgian Bay side to Pine Tree Harbour on the Lake
Huron side up to Tobermory. The majority of the scenic trails are on the scarp, east side close to
Georgian Bay.
Trails
The Bruce Trail runs the whole length of the National Park and it is arguably the most spectacular
section of the 900 km Bruce Trail. You will need a current Bruce Trail Reference to best find the
accessable points to start and end your hike.
Here are three hikes that can be done with easy access and only the map provided by the National
Park.
The National Park Visitor Centre is well worth a visit for general information about the Park and its
trails. It is located just off Hwy 6, south of Tobermory.
1. Burnt Point Loop
This is a loop trail that starts and ends at the Visitor's Centre. Do not rush this 4 km trail! There are
wonderful views into Georgian Bay with its islands and the Niagara Escarpment leading south
Colpoy's Bay. Take time to enjoy the trees and in the spring and early summer the orchids and other
flowers. The two small bays contain both limestone bolders and glacial erratics. The view at the trails
furthest point is of Flower Pot and Bear's Rump Islands. After coming back close to where you started
follow a very short trail down to a look out over Little Dunks Bay.
2. Mar Lake, Georgian Bay Shore, the Grotto, Horse Lake Loop
Leave Hwy 6 south of Tobermory and follow the road to Cyprus Lake and the Parks Canada Office for
Cyprus Lake. They will provide you with a map, proceed to parking at the Head of Trails. Follow the
trail across a small bridge at the outflow of Cyprus Lake. Stop and think about the water. The series
works like this, Cameron Lake has a small stream to feed into Cyprus Lake, the bridge you are
standing on at the outflow of Cyprus Lake flows into Horse Lake. At the westerly end of Horse Lake is
a karst, fissures in the limestone, where the water disappears and reappears in Marr Lake again
fissures take it into Georgian Bay. There is a short path to Horse Lake, stop and look at the bare
limestone pavements, there are glacial striations clearly showing the line of the last glaciation 12,000
years ago. Continue on the Marr Lake trail to Georgian Bay, past Marr Lake you know where that
water came from! To the Georgian Bay shore and a rocky climb to the Grotto, a large hole in the scarp
showing off the clear Georgian Bay waters below. Continue along the shore to the Horse Lake Trail
and follow it up to a viewing point for a rest break again you know where that water came from and
where it is going. Trail back to the Head of Trails. About 8 km and lots to see.
3. Cyprus Lake Trail Loop
Park at Cyprus Lake Head of Trails. Walk across the small bridge at the bottom of Cyprus Lake. The
Round the Lake trail is just that, off you go around Cyprus Lake, the trail is not difficult, rocky in place
and lots of good lookouts onto the lake, at the far end is a bridge bringing the outflow from Cameron
Lake on its journey to Georgian Bay. As you start back on the far side of the lake you will come to a
picnic area that has new yurts that can be rented. They look great especially for those past the tenting
stage - like me! Further on there are glacial grooves in the limestone pavement close to the shore. A
mystery to me how they got there, striations are easy, hard meromorphic rock stuck under a kilometre
of glacial ice moving slowly in a north-east, south west direction. The trail leads back to the Head of
Trails. About 7 km of good trail.
These trails will give you a good look at this top of the Bruce Peninsula. Enjoy them and remember
The goal is not always achieved by the swiftest rather to those who keep moving towards it.
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