WAYPOINT
INTERVAL

DISTANCE
km

WAYPOINT-TO-WAYPOINT TRAIL DESCRIPTION

001 - 002

0.3

For the Hockleycrest Hike, from the Bruce Trail 7th line parking lot, take the 7th Line Access Trail to meet the Bruce Trail (002).

002 - 003

0.8

It’s worth taking a short detour here by turning right and heading east along the mowed grassy Bruce Trail to the Humber Heights Lookout (003). A rest bench located here allows you to sit and enjoy the view. A BT display sign outlines the history of this beautiful spot overlooking the headwaters of the Humber River that stretches back more than 400 million years.

003 - 004

1.9

Return back to (002) and cross over the stile to arrive at 7th Line gravel road. Head to the right along the road for about 600 m before the trail leaves the road for the woods (004).

004 - 005

3.5

Turn left into the woods where the trail curves left and climbs an overgrown slope to the top where a few crows in a nearby tree take off squaking. The trail enters an open area and shortly begins a gradual descent as it curves around down the slope. The route follows a path between some private properties and along the edge of a woodlot to the right and an open field on the left. Descending a slope across private property, the trail enters a cedar woods before descending once more. After a small plank bridge over a creek, the trail  begins a long climb up a high hill. The trail now follows the top edge of the ravine along the edge of the woods before passing through an open field past a display sign and a bench and arriving at Sideroad 5 (005).

005 - 006

3.9

The trail crosses the road and jogs a bit to the left. There is a parking lot at this location. The trail continues back into the woods before entering an open meadow area with a mown grass pathway about a metre wide. Reentering the woods, the trail arrives at the Harmony ST at a Y-intersection where you keep to the right on the main Bruce Trail (006).

006 - 007

4.4

The trial runs east between a stand of pines and a fence row before entering a semi-open meadow. At a junction, the main trail heads off to the right entering a hardwood bush where it soon meets D’Arcy’s ST. Continue on the main trail to the left. Soon the Harmony Side Trail rejoins on the left (007).

007 - 008

4.7

Continue through the woods before climbing a slope. At the top of a slope is a surprise. A nice wooden gazebo that seats 10 gives you a good lunch spot if the mosquitos aren’t too bad (008).

008 - 009

4.9

Continue past the gazebo to a T-intersection by a white fence at the Hockleycrest Side Trail (009).

009 - 010

5.6

Leave the white fence turning right along the grassy path on the main Bruce Trail (white blazes). A display honouring Philip Gosling is soon reached. In 1960, Gosling and three others began to explore the feasibility of a footpath to highlight the Niagara Escarpment. This became the Bruce Trail as we know it today. The path soon meets the Hockleycrest Shortcut Trail (010).

010 - 011

6.4

Keep right on the main Bruce Trail crossing in short order over a stile. The trail follows near the top of a ridge between a sloping valley below to the right and a farmer’s field above to the left. Climbing over another stile, the trail continues to the right on a mowed  grassy path. Descending a wide curved mud-based slope the trail continues along a grass covered path. The path now passes a very wet area with a creek on the left side that spills it’s water over onto the trail area slowing your progress as you look for a dry area to continue.  The trail climbs partway up a slope where it rejoins the Hockleycrest Side Trail. The main Bruce Trail goes off to the right but we continue straight ahead on the Hockleycrest Side Trail (011).

011 - 009

7.9

Continue ahead uphill on the Hockleycrest Side Trail where the creek can be seen down below to the left. At the top of the hill the trail curves left and enters back into the woods along the edge of the ravine. The trail passes near Airport Road and finally crosses the creek over a small plank bridge. Passing through an open gate, the trail swings left on a mowed grass path leading away from the road. Soon we arrive back at (009) with the white fence.

009 - 007

8.5

Enter through the white fence and turn right back onto the main Bruce Trail. Continue back to the Harmony Side Trail (007).

007 - 001

11.8

Keep right on the Harmony Side trail until it again meets the Bruce Trail at (006). Keep right on the main trail crossing Sideroad 5 and continuing back to the starting point (001).

Enjoy the hike and the day!