About PBTC

The Peninsula Bruce Trail Club

We are one of the nine Bruce Trail Clubs that support the mandate of the Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC). For more information about the BTC visit the BTC website. The PBTC acquires permission from land owners to have the Bruce Trail traverse their property, plan and build new trail and maintain existing trails. In addition volunteers organize and publish information about group hikes and other activities such as the Annual Bruce Peninsula Outdoor Festival.

The Bruce Peninsula itself is a very unique geological and ecological area and to have a footpath along its length is due in part to the generosity of landowners.

The Bruce Trail, Canada's oldest and longest footpath, provides the only continuous public access to the magnificent Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. It is one of only fifteen such reserves in all of Canada.

From Wiarton to Tobermory the footpaths total over 240 km [includes the main trail (white blazes) + the side trails/access trails (blue blazes)]. The PBTC trail is divided into about 78 sections for maintenance. Each section is overseen by a Trail Captain and his/her volunteer workers. We would like you to join us and become a member of a dynamic team of volunteers.

The Bruce Trail Conservancy is a charitable organization committed to establishing a conservation corridor containing a public footpath along the Niagara Escarpment, in order to protect its natural ecosystems and to promote environmentally responsible public access to this UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The Peninsula Bruce Trail Club plays a very important volunteer role in the mandate and goals of the Bruce Trail Conservancy.

Join and Volunteer - You do not have to be an avid hiker!

There are many different volunteer opportunities available where you may apply your skills in the Club. That is, you can be a very valuable member and not necessarily be a serious hiker. For example, you may have certain construction skills and like to work outdoors, so you could help with trail building, maintenance and constructing footbridges. Or you may have computer skills and could assist with the production of newsletters and much more. Check the Volunteer web page for further information and ideas. To become a PBTC member please visit the Join web page for details.

Hikers Have Responsibilities - Some Guidelines

In addition to the information listed below, check the General Information for Hikers web page where you will find more useful tips including a print friendly PDF file.

Here are a few simple guidelines to help make your hike more pleasurable.

don't hike alone; it is best to have at least three or four in the group so there are extra people to assist in case an emergencies
please call the hike leader/coordinator to "register" for a hike in advance of the hike date
ask the hike leader/coordinator if you are in doubt of the difficulty of the hike with your abilities
for all hikes bring plenty of water, snacks, lunch and your own first aid needs in your day pack
wear sturdy hiking footwear; quality hiking boots are the best footwear for the rugged Peninsula
dress in layers suitable for the weather
stay with the group when on an organized hike
please observe and obey all signs
be courteous when parking and do not block roadways or an entrance to a park or road allowance. Remember that road allowances may be used by specialized emergency vehicles. The Bruce Trail only exists because of the generosity of local landowners.
don't leave valuables (example: credit cards) in a parked car
carry ID with you and especially medical information
do you have bug and UV protection?
no smoking
unless stated otherwise, dogs are not permitted
this list is a work in progress and more may be added :)

The Right Stuff for Hiking

Numerous articles have been written by other Bruce Trail members. One of them is Greg Vincent. He has several articles you may wish to read. They are available at the Greg Vincent Hiking Site as well as the Grand Valley Trails Association website. Examples: Footwear - Boots & Socks, Winter Walking, Snowshoeing, and more.

Start Off Slowly

The best advice for new members is to start off your hiking experiences slowly. That is, start with shorter, less strenuous ones. Our experienced hike leaders will help you if you ask. Then, if you get "hikers fever," you can try the harder, longer hikes.

Scheduled Guided Hikes - by Hike Leaders

PBTC Hikes - Most of our hikes are day hikes. The number of people will vary depending on who shows up that day. For a complete listing of our scheduled hikes see the Hikes web page. Remember that our hike leaders are unpaid volunteers. You are welcome to come along and you do so at your own risk.
STTC Hikes - Our neighbour club, the Sydenham Bruce Trail Club (SBTC), has hikes listed on its website and sometimes there are hikes on the Bruce Peninsula. Have a look.
Other Hikes - Check the other Bruce Trail Club websites for more hikes.

Self-Guided Hikes - Peninsula Bruce Trail Day Hike Map

We produce a Bruce Peninsula Day Hike Guide and it is updated annually. This excellent map set (8 maps) is for sale. Go to The Bruce Peninsula Day Hike Guide web page for a look at a sample and information about where you may buy a set or order one by Canada Post.

Volunteer

Like hiking? Become a hike leader. Training is available. Check our Volunteer web page for more information. Or, contact a PBTC executive member.

Want to Earn a Badge?

Go to the Badges web page for information.