General Information for Hikers
NOTE: All map references are from The Bruce Trail Reference, Edition 24
- see item 2 below
1. Bruce Peninsula National Park of Canada – Registration required
as follows:
a) High Dump Backcountry Campground – 144.6 km., Map
39
b) Stormhaven Wilderness Campground – 155.4 km, Map 39
Reserve for above: 519-596-2263 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
c) Cyprus Lake Campground – 156.2 km, Map 39
1-877-RESERVE (1-877-737-3783)
7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. TTY 1-866-787-6221
By Internet: www.pccamping.ca
2. Purchase the Bruce Trail Reference
The Bruce Trail Conservancy is funded by membership fees and sales of
maps, guides and other materials. The guidebooks are indispensable for
long hikes and for a full appreciation of the ecology, history and scenic
features of the Niagara Escarpment.
The Bruce Trail Reference, 24th Edition -
is available at bookstores and hiking supply outlets. A  sturdy,
portable and complete set of 40 maps (maps are multicoloured and based
on topo maps), with step-by-step descriptions of the Trail and items
of interest along the way. Now in a ring binder format for easy updating
and addition of supplementary information.
Trails
at the Tip o' the Bruce – The
latest addition to the collection of Trail Guides is Ross McLean's Trails
at the Tip o' the Bruce. Many of you know Ross - he has been a
force in the Bruce Trail Conservancy and especially the Peninsula Bruce
Trail Club for years. A must for any serious hiker of the Peninsula.
The
cost is $8.00 CDN (including taxes).
Available from better bookstores
in the Upper Bruce Peninsula or by mail order from: Friends
of the Bruce District Parks Association, PO Box 66, Tobermory ON N0H 2R0.
For mail orders, please include $2.50 for postage and handling.
Other Bruce Trail Products - For other products
(books, clothing, etc) sold by the Bruce Trail Conservancy visit the BT
Products web page.
3. Purchase the Peninsula Bruce Trail Club
Day Hike Guide 2007
See a sample map and two sample day hike descriptions on the Day
Hike Guide 2007 web page.
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4. Purchase PBTC End-to-End Badge
See details on the Badges web page.
5. PBTC Hikes - regular, easy walks and end-to-end
See three hike schedules at www.pbtc.ca/hikes.html
6. Peninsula B & B’s – www.bbcanada.ca
See www.bbcanada.com/ontario/southwestern_ontario
and check Wiarton, Lion’s Head, Cape Chin North, Tobermory
7. Peninsula Home to Home Hikers Program
Telephone: 1-888-301-3224
Website: www.hometohomenetwork.ca
See: Bruce Trail Connection link for good details re access points along the
Peninsula section (www.hometohomenetwork.ca/btc.html).
8. Bruce Trail Opportunities: Membership, Donations,
Volunteer
Website: www.brucetrail.org and see links to membership, donations and
volunteer
9. Taxi Services
Grab a Cab, Wiarton – 519-534-2474
Bluewater Taxi, Wiarton – 519-534-1086
Inquire at Information Centre at Tobermory Community Centre for taxis
in Tobermory.
10. Camping and Overnight Rest
Areas – Peninsula Section (Wiarton
to Tobermory)
- Wiarton – 0.4 km. – Map 33 – Blue Water Beach
Park - Commercial
- Cape Croker Campground – 35.7 km. – Map
34 - Commercial
- Hope Bay, Cedarholm Campground – 46.8 km. – Map
35 - Commercial
- McKay’s Harbour Wilderness Overnight Rest Area – 81.0
km – Map 36
- Lion’s Head Beach Park – 87.1 km – Map
36 - Commercial
- Reed’s Dump – Wilderness Overnight Rest Area – 96.7
km – Map 37
- High Dump – National
Park Backcountry Campground – 144.6
km Map 39 Contact park officials for information.
- Storm Haven – National Park Backcountry Campground – 155.4
km, Map 39
- Cyprus Lake Campground – National Park Campground – 156.2
km, Map 39 > Hike inland off Main Trail to campground.
- Tobermory Village
Campground, near the northern terminus of the Bruce Trail, 175 km – map
40 – Commercial
11. Links to other Bruce Peninsula relevant
websites
See the > www.pbtc.ca/links.html
12. Hike Safety
Hike with a friend in
remote and rough territory. Inform others of where you are hiking and when
you expect to return. Plan your hike in advance. Wear suitable clothing
in layers and sturdy footwear. Carry a daypack with extra clothing to protect
against sun, cold, and rain. Bring a lunch and high-energy snacks, as well
as water or other non-alcoholic drinks. Carry a basic first aid kit.
13. Wildlife and Plant Life
You are hiking
in backcountry. The Peninsula section is home to black bears and the Eastern
Massasauga Rattlesnake, among other species. These creatures will move
away from you if you give them plenty of warning. They are timid and it
is true, they are more afraid of you than you are of them. You can and
will encounter poison ivy on parts of the trail. Beware and protect yourself.
14. The Bruce Trail Volunteers
The Trail is built and maintained
by dedicated volunteers. Please respect the work of these volunteers
by staying on the treadway and observing the Trail
Users Code.
- Hike
only along marked routes, especially on farmland - do not take short
cuts
- Do not climb fences - use the stiles
- Respect the privacy of people living
along the trail
- Leave the trail cleaner than you found it; carry out all
litter
- No open fires are allowed on the Trail. Use a portable stove
- Leave flowers
and plants for others to enjoy.
- Do not damage live trees or strip off
bark.
- Keep dogs on a leach, especially on or near farm land
- Protect and do not
disturb wildlife
- Leave only your thanks and take nothing but photographs.
15. Plan Hikes
Plan your hikes and consider the distance, degree
of difficulty, and capabilities of all people in your group before taking
on a long hike.
Hiking Difficulty Ratings
- Strenuous -Difficult footing and/or steep slopes
on major portions of the section.
- Moderate -You will encounter some rocky,
uneven footing and/or moderate slopes.
- Easy -This section is gently rolling,
with mostly smooth treadway
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