WAYPOINT
INTERVAL

DISTANCE
km

WAYPOINT-TO-WAYPOINT TRAIL DESCRIPTION

001 - 002

1.5

See Trail updates for changes to L38 & L39 hikes.

The Boyne to Mulmur Hills hike begins from the two grassy parking areas at the bottom of Centre Road. Then continue ahead to some large boulders in the trail at a fence line. Leaving the boulders, the main Bruce Trail heads east to the left along the fence line through Boyne Valley Provincial Park. Ahead a “Provincial Park” sign indicates that you are now leaving public land and entering private land. Be sure to keep to the trail in this area as you move through the farm area with planted areas and hayfields. The path eventually turns right and follows a farm track through a regenerating meadow. You will pass some old farm buildings as the trail follows the edge of some fields. The path then enters a wooded area rich with ostrich ferns, wildflowers, and wild rhubarb. As you descend into a ravine look for a double blaze and turn left to descend some wooden steps into a marshy area with a boardwalk. Just past the boardwalk, the path enters another wooded area with huge old maples and a stream running to your right. You are now entering a lovely deep ravine dappled in sunlight and covered in ferns and wildflowers. Here the main Bruce Trail meets the Boyne Valley Side Trail (002).

002 - 003

2.3

Stay left on the main Bruce Trail which uses a number of switchbacks to climb the steep ravine slope. The trail then descends before climbing another steep ravine before once again descending to 1st Line E (003) and leaving the Boyne Valley Provincial Park.

003 - 004

2.9

The trail crosses the road and over a stile back into the woods. The trail now descends into a valley and crosses a small bridge over a creek and then climbs an extended switchback to the top of the steep ravine on the other side. Ahead an open meadow can be seen on the left. The trail arrives at a grassy T-intersection with a huge farm field straight ahead (004).

004 - 005

4.6

The trail heads right along the 2 m wide grassy mowed path along the edge of the farm field. At a Y-intersection, take the narrow path to the left. The trail continues along the field edge descending gradually downhill and curving around to reach a farm lane before reaching a Y-intersection where the trail goes left. Ahead posts can be seen with white blazes to mark the trail. At another Y-intersection, a pole with a very faded white blaze directs a right turn. The trail enters a cedar woods before descending and then climbing up to a more open area. The trail winds through the stunningly beautiful area of an old orchard before arriving at an old shanty with a chimney and a small picnic table near the door. The inside is in poor shape but has a colourful group of letters that spell out “MULMUR HUT” along the partial upper level (005) .

005 - 006

6.1

Continuing ahead, the trail presents some great lookouts over the valley and the farms in the distance. The trail continues through mixed brush and arrives at a long long gradual upward slope. Near the top, a gravel road (8th Sideroad) appears which leads up to 2nd Line E (006).

006 - 007

7.1

Turn right on 2nd Line E and continue ahead to the end of the road where there is an intersection with the main Bruce trail and 2nd Line ECL Side Trail (007).

007 - 008

8.0

Keep right on the main Bruce Trail into the Boyne Valley Springs property. A map is posted at this location. Twenty metres past this intersection, look for two large Butternut trees on your right. Butternut trees are endangered in Ontario. The trail descends to a creek and follows the bank of the creek before crossing a bridge to follow an old farm lane. The trail leaves this lane after 100 m and turns right along the edge of the ravine to another old road. The trail now climbs a rocky outcrop to reach a great lookout over the Boyne Valley with a new long bench which offers a much deserved resting point (008).

008 - 009

9.6

After entering the woods the trail makes a very long gradual winding climb up to the top of the ravine and follows the edge of the east ravine on the north side of the Boyne Valley Springs property before entering a tall hardwood forest. This area is named Walker’s Woods , in memory of Chris Walker -a former BTC Trail Director. The trail winds past the Walker’s Woods Lookout where the cliffs of Mono Cliffs Provincial Park are visible on the horizon. The trail continues west to meet the north end of the 2nd Line ECL Side Trail (009) with another location map.

009 - 010

11.9

The trail descends a steep hill to a creek and follows it north crossing a boardwalk and three bridges. A new and more pleasant route has taken place on this Bruce Trail managed land just past the creek between waypoints [009] and [010]. Opening sometime in May 2012. The trail now turns west and climbs another long hill to a BTC property where it leaves the woods and crosses open meadows and old orchards to reach the parking lot at 1st Line E where there are four long benches in the shade that invite you to stretch out for a brief nap (010).

010 - 011

13.3

The trail turns to the right along 1st line E for 120 m before turning left into a totally different landscape. The trail enters a wet forest of cedar and alder strewn with ferns and moss-covered rocks. The trail follows the base of a dolostone outcrop working its way uphill where crevices and caves abound. An interpretive sign, “ Rockhill Corner ” provides information about the geological and biological features of the property that was acquired by the Bruce Trail Conservancy in 1993. The trail loops around through a mature hardwood bush to a pine woods before reaching 10th Sideroad (011).

011 - 001

18.0
for Loop Hike

If you are heading back to the starting point (001) on the loop hike, turn left onto 10th Sideroad and walk uphill to the Wakefield Church at Centre Road. Turn left onto the dirt sideroad for the long walk back to the car.

011 -010

14.0
for Linear Hike

If you are doing the linear hike with car shuffling, turn right on 10th Sideroad and head over to 1st Line E. Head south on 1st Line E to the parking lot at (010).

For a longer linear hike (21 km) from (001) all the way to Kilgorie and the Pine River Fishing Area, see hike L39.

Enjoy the hike and the day!