10 Best hikes and trails in Bruce Peninsula National Park

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Bruce Peninsula National Park

Best trails in Bruce Peninsula National Park

4.5(6,012 reviews)

Canada
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#10 of 49 national parks

Want to find the best trails in Bruce Peninsula National Park for an adventurous hike or a family trip? AllTrails has 27 great trails for hiking, birding, and snowshoeing and more. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? Explore one of 5 easy hiking trails in Bruce Peninsula National Park that are great for the whole family. Looking for a more strenuous hike? We've got you covered, with trails ranging from 59 to 2,132 feet in elevation gain. Whatever you have planned for the day, you can find the perfect trail for your next trip to Bruce Peninsula National Park.

Top trails

#1 - Georgian Bay via Marr Lake

This hike starts at the P1 lot inside Bruce Peninsula National Park. Follow the Lake Marr Trail until it turns towards the Bruce Trail, then taking you to the Overhang Lookout Point. Then, you will turn back towards the Grotto. You will then hike along cliffs and rocky beaches with the iconic crystal clear turquoise waters of Lake Huron that contrast the sheer limestone cliffs, rock beaches and pine trees. These landscapes are well-known along the Northern Bruce Peninsula, and a hike along...

#2 - Georgian Bay Trail: The Grotto and Horse Lake

You'll first take the Georgian Bay Trail from the main parking area along the western edges of Horse Lake. This first section follows wide trails, so it will be one of the easiest portions. Though wide, the trails do have plenty of rocks and roots in the undergrowth, so wear proper shoes. Then, you will arrive at Indian Cove and The Grotto along the Bruce Trail segment, which is normally much more popular with people stopping to relax here all year. In the summer, spend time at one of the...

#3 - Marr Lake - Boulder Beach - The Grotto - Horse Lake

This trail is fantastic, especially for anyone looking to complete some of this area's foremost sights and places in a short loop. The Grotto lookout point is breathtaking, and if you are lucky enough to be here for sunrise or sunset, it will be even more special. Hikers recommend taking the beautiful picture at the top of the rocks while taking in the scenes. A stretch is a rocky walk, especially along Georgian Bay, so just be mindful of that. Otherwise, this is a great adventure in any...

#4 - Cave Point via Bruce Trail

The Halfway Log Trail links to a lovely stone beach, with the Bruce Trail taking you there once you reach the coastline. There are a series of climbs and descents as the route follows the shoreline with scenic views. Most of the trail along the Bruce Trail sections is known to be more challenging, so wear proper footwear and weather protection. A longer loop is possible to complete, as well: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/ontario/cyprus-lake-and-the-grotto-loop There is parking for...

#5 - Bruce Trail: Halfway Log Dump - The Grotto

This is a gorgeous section of the Bruce Trail that brings some challenging sections. Still, the best portions of this hike are along the top of the Niagara Escarpment, so there will be plenty of precarious moments at stunning locations. From the trailhead, you will follow the trail markings for Stormhaven, as once you go down to the beach at the beginning of the trail, you have to come back to the sign to get on the trail; otherwise, you will be beating in the bush looking for a connector...

#6 - Cyprus Lake Trail

This is a beautiful and easy lakeside trail with some open, paved and easy-to-navigate parts with the option of trekking into the woods in several sections. This loop is a stunning way to explore the lake and waterways of the park since there are several creeks, rivers, and a few small waterfalls. There are also a few spots that follow the wooden walkway with views opening out onto the lake. Though the trail is open in winter, folks recommend wearing crampons or snowshoes to stay stable with...

#7 - Bruce Trail to High Dump Side Trail

This trail is beautiful as you will be hiking alongside the cliffs overlooking the colourful shoreline of Lake Huron. This route can be followed as a backpacking trip to the High Dump or a single-day trip, but be prepared that most people will find it moderately challenging. Watching your footwork after rainfall would be best as the rocks are slippery, and winter hiking is not advised here due to ice and snow. The side trail to the High Dump campsite is super steep. There’s a rope there to...

#8 - Bruce Trail: The Grotto via Little Cove

4.7(196)

•Hard

•14.9 mi

This is one of the longer trails to hike in The Bruce as you slowly reach the Grotto through this special section of the Bruce Trail. Everything is well marked just be sure to watch your step for slippery roots and rocks. Much of this trail is designed to keep you moving slowly to stay on the correct path and to give you time to enjoy viewpoints while watching your footing. The route starts at the Little Cove Provincial Reserve. It follows the coastline in a series of elevation changes....

#9 - Bruce Trail: Stormhaven and The Overhang

This is the best hike for outdoor lovers visiting Bruce Peninsula National Park. Trekking along the cliffs and shoreline into the limestone-rich clear waters of Georgian Bay, this route takes you from the main Cyprus Lake Trailhead onto the double-wide and well-maintained Horse Lake Trail. Here, you pass Horse Lake and then wind through the woods until reaching the shoreline of Georgian Bay. The trail continues to the right and follows the main Bruce Trail to Storm Haven Campground. This...

#10 - Singing Sands Trail

Singing Sands Trail follows a boardwalk along the shores of Dorcas Bay. Rare and carnivorous plants can be seen in the spring. Sandbanks Beach is amazing in that the water is very shallow, and you can walk out very far with only your legs submerged in water. This loop follows a mix of woodland trails and boardwalks, making it simple for the whole family. Please check the parks page for updates before visiting: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/on/bruce

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(519) 596-2233

Bruce Peninsula National Park requires a fee to enter.

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Top Picks in Bruce Peninsula National Park

6 trails

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Trail reviews for Bruce Peninsula National Park

8,061 trailgoers Busiest in August

Rochelle Bernal

May 16, 2025•Hiking

Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableDog-friendlyGreat conditionsGreat views

This trail/boardwalk was so beautiful, we went when it was very foggy and the smell and sights of nature were so peaceful. Washrooms available, parking was easy - we already had a Bruce peninsula park pass.

Parking: Permit required, Free, Small lot

Singing Sands Trail

Rochelle Bernal

May 15, 2025•Hiking

Not crowdedDog-friendlyGreat conditionsGreat views

The Bruce Peninsula Trail has incredible views!! The paths are moderately hard-ish. Lots and lots of rocks especially Boulder Beach (of course) - need to very careful not to roll your ankles or fall. Cliffs are super high up and the water is so pretty to look at.

Parking: Entry fee, Medium lot

Georgian Bay via Marr Lake

Dhruv Doshi

Jul 1, 2024•Hiking

great trail, return was really nice. One of the best views in Bruce Peninsula park!

Georgian Bay Trail: The Grotto and Horse Lake

Michael L

Jun 16, 2024

Date hiked: Wed May 29 ///// Time taken: 5h but only went to the Grotto instead of continuing to Loon Lake before turning back, and took a shortcut down a snowmobile trail on the way back; total 12.28km ///// Beauty: 7.5/10 ///// Difficulty: 7/10 due to terrain, not elevation ///// Cautions: cliff edges were only at optional lookouts, no real issues for kids or people afraid of heights ///// Stairs: none ///// How easy to follow trail: helpful blazes on trees to guide the way, but still occasionally a bit challenging ///// People encountered: 2 on trail, 100 or so at the Grotto area ///// Shade: 60% ///// Wildlife: frogs, red squirrel ///// Weather: sunny, around 15°C ///// Varying ecosystems/terrains: mostly forest floor with frequent roots and rocks, lots of sharp ups and downs, small portions of rocky beaches, a couple larger tricky rock sections ///// Overgrowth: minimal ///// Bugs: surprisingly few, didn’t need bug spray, got maybe 2 bites all day ///// Summary: the best hike we did in the Northern Bruce Peninsula area, with great cliffside lookouts and interesting forest hiking with tons of beautiful mosses. Busy at the Grotto, which is stunning, but otherwise very peaceful. One hidden gem is the forest area between Horse Lake and the beach maybe 1/2 mile East of the Grotto which was magical and our favourite forest section of the whole week, go through there instead of over the rocky beach

Loon Lake via Bruce Trail

Shana Payne

Jun 30, 2024•Backpacking

We backpacked from Cyprus Lake to High Dump last Sunday, right after the downpour on Saturday. Then we camped a second night at Stormhaven on teh way back to Cyprus Lake. Both campsites are close to the beach and nicely set up with raised tent pads, bear hanging poles, and enclosed toilets. Lots of slugs out and slippery rocks and roots on the Sunday, but overall the trail was in great shape. Quite a bit of rocky scrambling sections - seemed to increase closer to high dump. We got pretty lucky the bugs were not too bad - we encountered some flies and mosquitos at Stormhaven, but the wind seemed to keep them away the rest of our trip. We've day hiked many times prior at Bruce Peninsula, but this is our first time backpacking. High Dump was definitely quieter and had a more "backcountry" feel, whereas Stormhaven had more of a car camping feel to it - I guess because there is an access point close by.

Conditions: Rocky, Scramble, Great!

Cyprus Lake via Bruce Trail

Shana Payne

Jun 23, 2024•Hiking

Conditions: Rocky, Scramble, Great!

Bruce Trail to High Dump Side Trail

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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Bruce Peninsula National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Bruce Peninsula National Park is Georgian Bay via Marr Lake, which has a 4.7 star rating from 1,162 reviews. This trail is 2.4 mi long with an elevation gain of 255 ft.

What is the longest trail in Bruce Peninsula National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Bruce Peninsula National Park is Bruce Trail: Tobermory to Loon Lake. This trail is estimated to be 21.4 mi long.

How many trails are in Bruce Peninsula National Park?

There are 27 trails in Bruce Peninsula National Park. These trails have an average 4.5-star rating from 6,012 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Bruce Peninsula National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Bruce Peninsula National Park has you covered. Bruce Trail: Crane Lake to Little Cove boasts the most elevation gain with 2,132 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Bruce Trail: Tobermory to Loon Lake, which will get you 2,106 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Bruce Peninsula National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 19 camping trails in Bruce Peninsula National Park and the most popular is Georgian Bay via Marr Lake with an average 4.7 star rating from 1,162 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in Bruce Peninsula National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 24 running trails in Bruce Peninsula National Park and the most popular is Georgian Bay via Marr Lake with an average 4.7 star rating from 1,162 community reviews.

Are there biking trails available in Bruce Peninsula National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there is 1 biking trail in Bruce Peninsula National Park which is William Henry Marsh Trail with an average 4.2 star rating from 24 community reviews.