DeLuxe Hiking

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      Hiking Tours

      Bruce Trail North

      The best of the Bruce Trail, from Tobermory to Blue Mountain


      Ontario’s Bruce Trail is Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath, and this is a “Greatest Hikes” tour along the northern sections, stretching from Tobermory at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula to the Village of Blue Mountain just outside Collingwood. These hikes will also be supplemented with cultural stops and regional attractions.


      RELATED TOUR:  Bruce Trail South Hiking

      Region

      Ontario

      Duration

      6 Days

      Activity Rating

      Fitness Scale: Level H

      Difficulty Rating: H2

      Time of Year Double Single
      Summer & Fall TBA TBA

      Small group tour.

      Land only.

      Tour Starting Point: The Blue Mountains, ON

      • Highlights

        Spectacular Vistas

        One advantage of hiking along the Niagara Escarpment and Georgian Bay shore is that Instagram-worthy vistas and views are on display every day.


        Ferry to a Hike (if available)

        DeLuxe Hiking rarely offers the opportunity to take a ferry to hike on an island. In this case, guests will take the ferry from Tobermory to Flowerpot Island to explore that isolated and scenic place, famous for its natural sea stacks known as “flowerpots.”


        Caves & Crevices

        The Niagara Escarpment is riddled with fascinating caves, crevices, and rock formations that reveal the geological history of central Ontario, which makes for some slow-moving hikes!


        Apple Orchards & Rolling Farmland

        The Beaver Valley and surrounding area offer a micro-climate perfect for growing apples and for cultivating specific varieties of grapes. So, in addition to fresh fruit, this also means that wine making and cider production are part of the fall harvest.


        Tobermory

        A charming little town at the northern tip of southern Ontario, Tobermory feels more like a coastal fishing town than central Canada. This “8th Wonder of Canada”, with crystal turquoise waters and the rugged, natural beauty of the Niagara Escarpment offers a delightful combination of interesting geology, local culture, and village shops and galleries.


        Blue Mountain Village

        Visit Ontario’s smaller version of what Intrawest Resorts made famous in Whistler and Mont Tremblant. Pedestrian-friendly Blue Mountain Village is chock full of perfect places for après hike treats, cafes and restaurants, and plenty of great shopping.

      • Hikes

        DAY 1 

        1.  Silent Valley Trail, Bogner Ontario

        (H2/Moderate – 5.5km/120m) 

        This loop trail features fascinating geology, fossils and a plane crash site. The terrain is uneven with loose rocks. Proper footwear is required.

        https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/ontario/silent-valley-trail

        https://brucetrail.org/pages/land-conservation/silent-valley


        DAY 2

        2.  Bruce Trail, Halfway Log Dump to Cypress Lake, Bruce National Park

        (H3/Difficult – 7.7km/190m) 

        This challenging trail offers spectacular views of Georgian Bay and varied terrain.

        https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/canada/ontario/bruce-trail-halfway-log-dump-to-the-grotto

        https://www.brucepeninsula.org/the-grotto


        3.  Flowerpot Island Loop Trail, Tobermory

        (H1/Easy – 2.6km/80m) 

        This hike is short on distance but long on scenery and vistas. 

        https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/canada/ontario/flowerpot-island-loop-trail

        https://explorethebruce.com/explore/your-flowerpot-island-experience/67/


        DAY 3

        4.  Lion’s Head Loop, Lion’s Head to Barrow Bay

        (H3/Difficult – 10.5km/320m) 

        This marquis hike along Georgian Bay is challenging but rewarding.  It should be noted that we hike point-to-point rather than completing the 18k loop.

        https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/canada/ontario/lions-head-loop-via-bruce-trail

        https://gripped.com/gripped-outdoors/adventures-with-b-lions-head-loop-via-bruce-trail-hike/


        DAY 4

        5.  Duncan Caves, Duncan Escarpment Provincial Park

        (H2/Moderate – 4.0km/50m)

        This is a short version of the hike, in and out to the caves.

        https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/canada/ontario/duncan-caves-trail

        http://naturelover.ca/hike-duncan-caves-trail/


        6.  Loree Forest via Bruce Trail to Blue Mountain to the Village

        (H2/Moderate – 10.0km/80m) 

        This hike begins with the Loree Forest Loop, then continues along the Bruce Trail to the top of Blue Mountain.

        https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/canada/ontario/loree-forest-loop

        https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/canada/ontario/bruce-trail--14

        https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/canada/ontario/village-way-trail


        DAY 5

        7.  Pretty River Valley Loop, Pretty River Provincial Park

        (H2/Moderate – 4.2km/175m) 

        This hike follows the Pretty River. Not long, but plenty of elevation changes.

        https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/canada/ontario/pretty-river-valley-loop--2

        https://brucetrail.org/system/downloads/0000/0941/BTC_Inspirational_Hike_6_Blue_Mountains_Pretty_River.pdf


        DAY 6

        8.  OPTIONAL - Blue Mountain Hikes

        (H2/Moderate) 

        These self-guided hiking loops explore the trails on the Blue Mountain property.

        https://www.bluemountain.ca/things-to-do/activities/hiking


        9.  OPTIONAL – Scenic Caves Trails

        (H1-H3/ Varied, well-marked options) 

        These self-guided hiking loops explore the 370 acre property at the Scenic Caves and include their suspension bridge and zipline options.

        https://sceniccaves.com/products/hiking-trails-and-lookouts

      • Why This Tour is Great

        Complicated Logistics Made Simple

        The rugged and remote nature of the northern sections of the Bruce Trail make it complicated and time consuming to link hikes together. DeLuxe Hiking takes care of the details, so hikers don’t have to waste their time trying to figure it all out and then waste their energy by unnecessarily retracing their steps.


        Local Guides Make a Big Difference

        While most of the trails hiked are on public lands, the presence of knowledgeable local guides converts experiences from Do-it-Yourself, “black & white” hikes into “Technicolor” guided tours by providing loads of information about regional flora & fauna, and fascinating stories of the Indigenous people and local history.


        Ontario's Backyard

        While most hiking tours start far from our Ontario home base, this DeLuxe Hiking option is nearby in central Ontario. This means that for many Ontario residents (and their visitors!) getting to the start of the tour, instead of being an arduous journey, it is a manageable drive, thus saving time and money.

      • What's Included
        • Parking for personal vehicles and private coach transportation
        • 5 nights of accommodation
        • 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
        • Five days hiking the Bruce Trail with a local guide
        • Ferry ride to Flowerpot Island (if available)
        • Visit to Bruce National Park
        • All entry fees and park passes
        • Services of a DeLuxe Hiking Tour Director

        Prices are in Canadian dollars, are per person and include HST.

      • Day-to-Day Itinerary

        Day One

        Guests arrive before noon at the Blue Mountain Village, where they will leave their cars before boarding the private coach. First stop is Silent Valley Nature Reserve near Owen Sound with a local guide who literally ‘wrote the book’ on the place. Second stop is the Handicraft House Trading Post north of Wiarton for Indigenous crafts and gifts. The day will end in Tobermory with a Welcome Dinner at Shipwreck Lee’s Dockside Restaurant.

        Stay: Bruce Anchor Motel, Tobermory 

        Nights: 2

        Meals: D


        Day Two

        The day begins with a tour highlight, a hike in Bruce National Park along the Georgian Bay shore that ends at the Grotto. After lunch in town, the group takes a ferry to Flowerpot Island for another hike and vistas over Lake Huron. Guests will enjoy a free evening in Tobermory.

        Meals: B


        Day Three

        After check-out, the group heads south to Lion’s Head for a second hike along the spectacular shore of Georgian Bay, including a picnic lunch on the trail. Next up is a visit to a local estate for an environmental presentation. After arriving in Blue Mountain, the group will enjoy a group dinner at the Firehall Pizza Company.

        Stay: Grand Georgian Resort, Blue Mountain Village Nights: 3

        Meals: B, L, D


        Day Four

        First up is a short, guided hike at Duncan Escarpment Provincial Park. Afterwards, we’ll head to the Loree Forest for a hike and picnic lunch overlooking Georgian Bay. After lunch, we’ll hike along the Bruce Trail to the top of Blue Mountain where we’ll stop for wine and cheese before walking back to the Village for a free evening.

        Meals: B, L


        Day Five

        Today’s feature hike is in Pretty River Valley Provincial Park. After lunch at Mylar & Loreta’s in Singhampton, guests will enjoy a visit to the Georgian Hills Vineyards before returning to Blue Mountain Village for a Farewell Dinner.

        Meals: B, D


        Day Six

        On the final morning together, guests have options. They can join the Tour Director for an early morning hike up Blue Mountain, or, they can book a spa treatment in the Village, or, they can simply relax at the hotel and possibly enjoy some last-minute shopping. While the formal tour ends at check-out, guests are welcome to take advantage of DeLuxe Hiking’s special deal at the Scenic Caves and try out the suspension bridge, the hiking trails, the trail through caves and caverns, or perhaps the ziplining course.

        Meals: B

      • Accommodations

        Bruce Anchor Motel, Tobermory (2 nights)

        Located in the heart of Tobermory, within walking distance of everything, the simple but well-managed Bruce Anchor Motel has been hosting DeNure Tours guests for more than 30 years.


        The Grand Georgian Resort,  The Blue Mountains (3 nights)

        Recently refurbished, The Grand Georgian is a luxury hotel located in the centre of The Blue Mountain Village. Rooms include a full kitchen and access to a fitness facility, sauna, outdoor pool, and many facilities, including a nearby Starbucks!

      • Important Info for this Hike

        This DeLuxe Hiking tour offers hiking on a surprising variety of terrains and provides a steady stream of spectacular vistas. In most cases, these hikes are made difficult by uneven ground and difficult footing, rather than long or steep climbs. As such, good hiking boots and poles are highly recommended, and hikes of a given length will take longer than usual.

      • Optional Additions

        This tour starts and concludes in The Blue Mountains, Ontario. While some guests may be able to drive to the starting point, guests can join this tour from anywhere in the world!  Transfers from an airport (for example, Toronto Pearson, YYZ) are not included, but are available for an additional fee.  Please contact us to discuss your airfare and pre-and post-tour accommodation options.


        The Day 6 afternoon visit to The Scenic Caves Nature Adventures is an optional addition, an opportunity to be further immersed in the beauty of the escarpment.  Included with the park pass is access to take in breathtaking views from Southern Ontario’s longest suspension bridge, to explore well-marked hiking trails that vary in length and degree of difficulty, and to step back through time by following the self-guided network of trails through a labyrinth of caves and caverns.

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