On April 6, 2007 I started hiking the Bruce Trail by doing all 52.3km of the Toronto section that day. It took me 28 hikes over 10 years, 1 month and 8 days to hike the entire 891.7km of the Bruce Trail completing the Bruce Trail on May 14, 2017. I did each hike by going from south to north and shared many wonderful moments with many geocachers. The Toronto section of the Bruce trail has had many changes over the past 11 years including the change of the start and end points of this section. This time I want to hike the Toronto section again but from north to south. I have no plans to hike the entire Bruce Trail again. Like last time, I have no goal as to how far I will hike. It could be the whole 50.4km of the Toronto section or I may decide to just stop anywhere along the way.
April 6, 2007 (Where it all started just outside of Kelso Conservation Area)
May 14, 2017 (We made it to the end cairn in Tobermory)
About the Event
This is a simple meet and greet event from 7:30am to 8:00am at the northern end of the Toronto section of the Bruce Trail which is at the style where the trail meets Creditview Rd. The hike portion of the event is optional and will begin at 8:00am and you may join the hike if you want to hike any part of the Toronto section with me.
About the Toronto section of the Bruce Trail
The Toronto section is fairly flat with only 3 hills which are not too long at all. About 1/10 of the Toronto section is road walking. The trail is somewhat rocky in parts so it may be hard on the knees. I do consider the Toronto section to be one of the easier sections of the Bruce Trail. The total distance of the Toronto section is 50.4km as per the 29th edition of the Bruce Trail guide and trail reroutes posted on their web site. See the map below for the trail (28th edition of Bruce Trail Guide updated with 3 reroutes. Kilometer markers differ from the 29th edition).
Parking
Parking is an issue at the start and end of the Toronto section. I have added parking options to the additional waypoints. You will most likely need to hike to the event because of lack of parking nearby or have someone drop you off.
START (Event) - As per the 29th edition of the Bruce Trail guide, there is no parking at the start point and the previous 2 closest recommended parking areas have also been removed from the guide. There is a parking lot currently being built for the Cheltenham Badlands, but no opening date has been specified yet. Nearest parking options as per the 29th edition of the Bruce Trail guide are 2.7km to the north or 2.1km to the south.
END - The end point has no stopping signs along the road. Closest parking would be available by paying to enter either Kelso or Hilton Falls, but you would be locked in if you are not out of there by the time these conservation areas close. Another option and closest free parking would be the 2 small parking lots on the west side of 6th Line about 5km north of the end point.
In both cases, it might be best to have a friend or family member drop you off/pick you up for the event and the hike. If you have suggestions for parking, please send me an email.
Other options for parking at various points along the trail would be Speyside, Limehouse or various road side spots along the way, depending on how far you plan to hike.
May 12, 2018 (At the start of the hike)
