In 1960, at a meeting of the Federation of Ontario Naturalists, Raymond Lowes spoke to his friend, Robert Bateman, about the idea of a public footpath spanning the entire Niagara Escarpment. Never before in Canadian history had a trail of this scope been realized. The first meeting of the Bruce Trail Committee was in 1960. The four members attending: Norman Pearson, Ray Lowes, Dr. Robert MacLaren and Philip Gosling, each became instrumental in building the Bruce Trail.
Literally going door-to-door, then Trail Director Philip Gosling and his team of volunteers discussed their vision of this trail with landowners. Happily, they were greeted with support all along the way. Regional Clubs were established by 1963. Each Club was responsible for organization, landowner approvals, construction and maintenance.
In Tobermory, 1967- Canada’s Centennial Year – the cairn at the northern terminus of the Bruce Trail was unveiled. Seven years of determination, support, vision and hard work were realized when the Bruce Trail was officially opened.
Since then thousands of volunteers have helped build and maintain the trail for the millions of visitors who have explored it.
Bruce Trail Conservancy
What was once a network of trail volunteers, the Bruce Trail Conservancy is now a land trust as well. Through donations and stewardship programs, the Conservancy protects more than 9,700 aces (3,925 hectares) of land within the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve, ensuring preservation of lands and the sections of trails on them.
The only way to truly experience the wonders of this incredibly diverse Biosphere Reserve is by putting your feet on a stretch of the Bruce Trail. When exploring the escarpment’s National and Provincial parks, conservation areas and municipal lands, be sure to include trips to some amazing Bruce Trail lands as well.
White Blazes indicate the main trail, blue blazes indicate side trail, and one blaze with another to the side indicates a turn in the trail.
To learn more, donate, or become a member visit www.brucetrail.org
Bruce Trail Clubs
Niagara Bruce Trail Club
Queenston to Grimsby
www.niagarabrucetrail.org
Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club
Grimsby to Kelso
www.iroquoia.on.ca
Toronto Bruce Trail Club
Kelso to Cheltenham
www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club
Cheltenham to Mono Centre
www.caledonbrucetrail.org
Dufferin Hi-Land Bruce Trail Club
Mono Centre to Lavender
www.dufferinbrucetrailclub.org
Bruce Trail Clubs
Blue Mountains Bruce Trail Club
Lavender to Craigleith
www.bmbtc.org
Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club
Craigleith to Blantyre
www.beavervalleybrucetrail.org
Sydenham Bruce Trail Club
Blantyre to Wiarton
www.sydenhambrucetrail.ca
Peninsula Bruce Trail Club
Wiarton to Tobermory
www.pbtc.ca
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