The Grotto and Lion’s Head Provincial Nature Reserve are by far the most popular hiking areas in the Bruce Peninsula National Park. And while both regions promise breathtaking natural landscapes and dense untouched forests to explore, the park also promises plenty of equally beautiful spots with much less tourism traffic.
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From the best secret routes to the park’s most popular attractions to challenging paths through lesser frequented corners, these are the 13 best Bruce Peninsula hikes for exploring the pristine natural environments of the national park.
A Quick Look At The 13 Best Bruce Peninsula Hikes
- Halfway Log Dump to the Grotto
- Georgian Bay Trail
- The Grotto via Little Cove
- Marr Lake Trail
- Devil’s Monument Loop
- The Bruce Trail To Whippoorwill Bay
- Cyprus Lake Road
- Horse Lake Trail – Marr Lake Trail
- Lion’s Head Loop
- Little Dunks Lookout
- Flowerpot Island Loop Trail
- Singing Sands Trail
- Loon Lake Via Bruce Trail
The 13 Best Hikes In Bruce Peninsula National Park
1. Halfway Log Dump To The Grotto
While a physically challenging hike, Halfway Log Dump to The Grotto is a fantastic section of the Bruce Trail where you can experience an abundance of what the northern Bruce Peninsula offers.
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Trekkers can access the trail from the parking area at Halfway Log Dump before cutting to the shores of the Georgian Bay. You will then follow the path north all the way to Indian Head Cove and The Grotto, passing by breathtaking coastal scenery, including Cave Point and the Stormhaven Backcountry Campsites along the way.
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After taking a dip in the crystal clear waters of The Grotto, you can continue the final stretch of your hike down the Marr Lake Trail, passing by Marr Lake and Horselake until you come to Poplars Campsite.
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Here, you can either arrange a ride back to your car at Halfway Log Dump or continue your adventure by following the same path back to the parking lot.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Challenging
Trailhead: Halfway Log Dump Parking Area
Distance from Tobermory: 21.8 km (30-minute drive)
Length of Hike: 7.7 km point-to-point trail
Elevation Gain: 170 metres
Estimated Duration: 2 hours
2. Georgian Bay Trail To The Grotto
A perfect introductory hike in the Bruce Peninsula for all skill levels, the Georgian Bay Trail offers a relatively easy trail while highlighting all the top hot spots along the more challenging Halfway Log Dump trail.
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This short loop trail takes about an hour to complete and begins and ends at the Cyprus Lake Trailhead near Poplars Campsite. It can be completed in either direction. I personally suggest going to the Grotto along the Horse Lake Trail, saving the picturesque scenery of the Georgian Bay Trail for the return journey.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead: Poplars Campsite
Distance from Tobermory: 16 km (20-minute drive)
Length of Hike: 3.9 km loop trail
Elevation Gain: 62 metres
Estimated Duration: 1 hour
3. The Grotto Via Little Cove
Another challenging hike leading to The Grotto starts with a 10-minute drive from the northern hub of Tobermory and passes through many of the region’s most beautiful regions.
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Starting at Little Cove Beach, hikers start their journey along the Bruce Trail to the southeast, passing through Driftwood Cove, Loon Lake, Overhanging Point, and Boulder Beach before arriving at Indian Head Cove.
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The journey to The Grotto is approximately 12 kilometres to complete, and hikers can either complete the route back to the trailhead or follow the Marr Lake Trail to the trailhead at Poplars Campsite, although return transportation will need to be arranged.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Challenging
Trailhead: Little Cove Beach
Distance from Tobermory: 6.1 km (10-minute drive)
Length of Hike: 24 km out-&-back trail
Elevation Gain: 549 metres
Estimated Duration: 7 hours
4. Marr Lake Trail
This route is very similar to the Georgian Bay Loop Trail, but instead of taking the Horse Lake Trail, trekkers will instead follow the Marr Lake Trail to either journey to or back from Indian Head Cove.
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Like the other hike, this route starts from the trailhead near Poplars Campsite and passes along the northern banks of Horse Lake, returning along the path that sweeps along the western banks of Marr Lake.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: Poplars Campsite
Distance from Tobermory: 17 km (25-minute drive)
Length of Hike: 3.9 km loop trail
Elevation Gain: 65 metres
Estimated Duration: 1 hour
5. Devil’s Monument Loop
The beautiful loop trail starts from an unmarked trailhead along Britain Lake Road and requires a little over an hour to complete. Despite being just 4.3 km, this path is a moderately challenging trek that requires careful footing along fairly treacherous cliffs.
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Still, this hike rewards some of the most picturesque viewpoints of the Georgian Bay from the rocky terrain of the Bruce escarpment and is a great spot for enjoying the subtleties of nature without the dense crowding that can occur at The Grotto during high season.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: Britain Lake Road Trailhead
Distance from Tobermory: 33 km (30-minute drive)
Length of Hike: 4.3 km loop trail
Elevation Gain:Â 136 metres
Estimated Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
6. The Bruce Trail To Whippoorwill Bay
The part of the Bruce Trail leading to Whippoorwill Bay is another great, less trafficked hiking trail following the Georgian Bay side of the Peninsula. The path starts at the White Bluff Trailhead and follows the rock path for 5 km to a secluded sandy beach.
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In total, the out-and-back trek features a total elevation gain of 379 meters, posing a moderately challenging journey for experienced hikers.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: White Bluff Trailhead
Distance from Tobermory: 42 km (35-minute drive)
Length of Hike: 10.3 km out-&-back trail
Elevation Gain: 379 metres
Estimated Duration: 3.5 hours
7. Cyprus Lake Trail
Starting at the same trailhead leading to The Grotto at the end of Cyprus Lake Road, the Cyprus Lake Trail deviates from the main trail and instead follows the banks of the lake to quieter spots of the national park.
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The 5.5 km loop trail offers a fairly manageable challenge with minimal elevation gains, promising a relaxing stroll through the park’s lush forest scenery with breathtaking lake views.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: Poplars Campsite
Distance from Tobermory: 17 km (25-minute drive)
Length of Hike: 5.5 km loop trail
Elevation Gain: 27 metres
Estimated Duration: 1 hour
8. Horse Lake Trail - Marr Lake Trail
Combining the highlights of the Marr Lake Trail and Horse Lake Trail, this beautiful Bruce Peninsula hike offers an extended loop route for experiencing everything the area offers, complete with a refreshing dip into the clear waters of The Grotto.
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The journey can be completed in either direction and offers a relatively easy hike with a total elevation of 79 meters, requiring a little under an hour to finish.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead: Poplars Campsite
Distance from Tobermory: 17 km (25-minute drive)
Length of Hike: 3.5 km loop trail
Elevation Gain: 79 metres
Estimated Duration: 30 minutes
9. Lion’s Head Loop
The Lion’s Head Provincial Nature Preserve is one of the most popular spots for Bruce Peninsula hikes. And between the breathtaking coastal cliffs and lush forest of the Niagara Escarpment that are amongst some of the oldest ecosystems in the world, it is easy to understand why.
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Following the coastal exterior of the nature reserve for 15.9 km, the Lion’s Head Loop is the best hike for exploring each region of the breathtaking area. But be warned, with an elevation gain of 413 metres, this path does pose a moderate challenge, and hikers have been known to get lost along the route.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: Lions Head Trailhead
Distance from Tobermory: 50 km (40-minute drive)
Length of Hike: 15.9 km loop trail
Elevation Gain: 413 metres
Estimated Duration: 4.5 hours
10. Burnt Point Loop And Little Dunk Lookout
One of the most accessible day hikes from Tobermory, Burnt Point Loop is also one of the Bruce Peninsula’s most beautiful, leading trekkers along a 5.1 km trail through the Fathom Five National Marine Park.
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Starting from the park’s entrance, the route is relatively flat and can be completed in either direction. Along the way, you will pass by the Little Dunks Bay Lookout Tower, which you should climb for some of the most surreal views of the coastal waters.
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At the centre point of the hike, trekkers will also receive great views of Small Island and Flowerpot Island.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: Fathom Five National Marine Park Entrance
Distance from Tobermory: 10-minute walk
Length of Hike: 5.1 km loop trail
Elevation Gain: 94 metres
Estimated Duration: 1.5 hours
11. Flowerpot Island Loop Trail
Speaking of Flowerpot Island, the small island off the shores of the Bruce Peninsula also offers a short and picturesque hike that can only be accessed via a boat from Tobermory.
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Protected as part of the Fathom Five National Marine Park, the short but sweet hike passes by breathtaking rock formations, natural caves, and a historic lighthouse, packing in tons of attractions within the 1-hour journey.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead: Flowerpot Island Landing
Distance from Tobermory: Take a boat from town
Length of Hike: 3.4 km loop trail
Elevation Gain: 93 metres
Estimated Duration: 1 hour
12. Singing Sands Trail
Another short but sweet hike starting just a 10-minute drive from Tobermory, Singing Sands Trail is a beautiful 2.6 km loop hike highlighting the breathtaking coastal landscapes of the Bruce Peninsula’s Lake Huron shores.
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Starting from the beach, the short hike follows the cove to the west, promising plenty of spectacular views. The path then doubles back for a quick 30-minute stroll from Eagle Road.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead: Singing Sands Beach
Distance from Tobermory: 11 km (10-minute drive)
Length of Hike: 2.6 km loop trail
Elevation Gain: 21 metres
Estimated Duration: 30 minutes
13. Loon Lake Via Bruce Trail
One of the longest and most challenging Bruce Peninsula hikes, Loon Lake via Bruce Trail largely follows the route to The Grotto from Little Cove but features a bit of a deviation to add to the length and difficulty.
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Instead of starting at Little Cove, hikers will instead begin the trek directly in Tobermory, following the coast until the end of Dunks Bay. From here, you will follow the path inland, cutting back towards the water’s edge at Little Cove Beach, following the shoreline all the way to Loon Lake.
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Longer and more challenging, this excellent hiking route is a great option for those looking to explore the entirety of the Northern Bruce Peninsula and can even be combined with a quick jaunt through the Fathom Five National Marine Park.
Brief Hiking Guide
Difficulty: Challenging
Trailhead: Bruce Trail Northern Terminus Cairn
Distance from Tobermory: Starts in town
Length of Hike: 33.8 km out-&-back trail
Elevation Gain: 670 metres
Estimated Duration: 8.5 hours
