Miraculous Bruce Trail an inspiration

Accessible green spaces are difficult to create, but were a huge asset during pandemic

- SHAWN MICALLEF

There are places where the Bruce Trail reaches a rocky lookout and suddenly the view is open to the horizon. In locations like Mount Nemo on the edge of Burlington, or even at Mono Cliffs north of Orangeville, the Toronto skyline can be seen on clear days.

That’s always a pleasant sight in a deep rural or wilderness environment: suddenly there’s a reminder of the city and the seven million or so people nearby. A very “town and country” experience.

Most people only hike short sections of the trail at a time, but each year there are some who do the 900 kilometres of it at once, from Queenston to Tobermory at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula, following the Niagara Escarpment. There are an additional 450 kilometres of side trails looping out from the main trail, too.

It’s extensive, and getting even better.

The Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC), the charitable land trust overseeing the trail, has announced two important things recently, as reported by The Trillium. One is that “thru hiking” will be possible by 2030. This means people will be able to camp along the way in designated areas, something quite limited currently.

The other good thing is the BTC is continuing to purchase land for their “conservation corridor.” Bruce hikers know that the trail passes through hundreds of private parcels of land where the owner gives permission to pass, but there are also stretches where travel is on roads as there’s no ownership or permission at all.