We're doing a day trip to some of the most spectacular locations in Ontario as we visit the Bruce Peninsula. The area is full of unique, dramatic landscapes with stark cliffs and views over the enormous Georgian Bay.
We're starting the day off by visiting the Grotto, perhaps the most famous natural spot in the province. We'll hike through the forest then along the beach, ending up at the incredible rock formations and crystal clear waters of the Grotto. Here we'll stop for lunch, taking in the incredible views and changing leaves before hiking on to the backcountry Stormhaven Campsite. On the way we'll cross pebble beaches, forest trails and unreal views of Lake Huron before coming back the way we came.
Transport cost is included in this adventure along with all necessary permits.
Hike Length: 8.20km
Hike Details: The first 3km to the Grotto are very easy and on accessible and well-marked trails. Once we reach the Grotto and begin making our way to Stormaven the terrain gets rougher with steep climbs on exposed rocks and difficult paths on pebble beaches. We'll take it slow with lots of breaks and the hike should be achievable for anyone with a moderate fitness level.
06:50 - Meet at PetroCanada next to Keele Subway Station. There's free parking on Keele Street north of the station. Make sure you've had breakfast and used the washroom before meeting us!
07:00 - Leave Keele Station. Please note that we leave dead on time and cannot wait for latecomers.
11:30 - Arrive at the Cyprus Lake Campground office.
10:30-16:30 - Hike to Stormhaven campsite and back, stopping for lunch at the Grotto
16:30 - Begin return journey to Toronto. We'll stop at an OnRoute for fast food on the way back if people are hungry
20:30 - Anticipated return to Keele Station
This custom map is georeferenced, meaning it will show you where you are on the map in the right software and lays out the rough path that we’ll be following. It’s opened with the Avenza app which must be downloaded and installed in advance of the adventure.
You should also download the What3words app - this makes it easy to share and find locations in the unlikely event that you get lost.
Packing list
Have any questions? Ask us on the Discord! Members who turn up dressed in a way that puts themselves at risk will not be able to join us.
Grab breakfast before you go. There's a Tims around the corner from our meet-up point.
Bring a packed lunch, snacks and at least a 2 litres of water for the hike. We also reccomend electolyte drinks for hot days!
Self-drivers will need to reserve parking here.
Hiking injuries - Wear appropriate footwear and hike within your abilities. If you need extra support, bring hiking poles.
Getting lost - Stay with the group at all times to avoid getting lost. You should also download the map in advance to your phone
Animal danger - There may be bears in the area. If you see any, alert the group and back away.
Cliffs - We'll be walking close to some pretty dangerous cliffs. It's important that you keep a good distance from the edge
Cold water exposure - The Georgian bay water is dangerously cold. You should keep away from it.
Ticks & Lyme Disease
Blacklegged ticks are common in Ontario and can carry Lyme disease. There's no need to be concerned if you follow some basic precautionary steps.
To protect yourself:
– Wear long sleeves and tuck pants into socks. Lighter colours make it easier to spot any passengers.
– Use bug spray with DEET or Icaridin
– Check your whole body (and your pets) after hiking. Doing this while showering makes it easier.
If you find a tick, remove it right away with fine-tipped tweezers or tick removal tool, being careful not to pull off the head. Pull straight out, clean the area, and monitor for symptoms like a rash or flu-like feelings. If concerned, talk to a healthcare provider—early treatment is highly effective. Hang on to the tick after removal so you can send it in for testing if needed.
It usually takes 24–36 hours of attachment for the bacteria to be transmitted. That means early removal is key and that you don't need to worry if you've found one on you before 24 hours has passed.
We like to share some of the indigenous background of the areas we visit because these territories have rich histories that are easy to overlook. Indigenous communities have a connection to and respect for the land that has largely been lost since European settlement. As we strive to form a deeper connection with the land, we have much to learn from these communities. I use the Native Land map to learn more about these areas and find that developing a richer understanding leads to a greater enjoyment of the adventures.
Bruce Peninsula National Park, has a rich indigenous history that spans thousands of years. The area is traditionally inhabited by several indigenous groups, including the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi), Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy), and the Huron-Wendat.
You may remember the Potwatomi is the tribe of Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass.
The Anishinaabe peoples have long-standing connections to the land, considering it a part of their traditional territory. They have lived and thrived in the region for generations, relying on its diverse ecosystems for sustenance, spiritual practices, and cultural traditions. The Anishinaabe people have a deep knowledge of the land, its flora, fauna, and natural resources, and their traditional teachings emphasize the importance of maintaining a harmonious relationship with the natural world.
The Haudenosaunee Confederacy, known as the Six Nations, also have historical ties to the region. Their territory extended into parts of present-day Ontario, including the Bruce Peninsula area. The Haudenosaunee have a rich cultural heritage and governance structure, and their traditional knowledge and practices are intertwined with the land and its resources.
The Huron-Wendat people, another indigenous group with a significant historical presence in the area, were part of the Huron Confederacy, a powerful alliance of indigenous nations in the region. They inhabited lands around Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, which encompass the Bruce Peninsula. The Huron-Wendat had a complex social structure and were skilled farmers, traders, and artisans.
These indigenous groups have a deep understanding of the Bruce Peninsula's ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources. They have utilized the land for hunting, fishing, gathering medicinal plants, and conducting sacred ceremonies. The peninsula's unique geography, including its limestone cliffs, forests, wetlands, and shoreline, played a crucial role in their way of life.
To learn more, I recommend this article.
We're doing a day trip to some of the most spectacular locations in Ontario as we visit the Bruce Peninsula. The area is full of unique, dramatic landscapes with stark cliffs and views over the enormous Georgian Bay.
We're starting the day off by visiting the Grotto, perhaps the most famous natural spot in the province. We'll hike through the forest then along the beach, ending up at the incredible rock formations and crystal clear waters of the Grotto. Here we'll stop for lunch, taking in the incredible views and changing leaves before hiking on to the backcountry Stormhaven Campsite. On the way we'll cross pebble beaches, forest trails and unreal views of Lake Huron before coming back the way we came.
Transport cost is included in this adventure along with all necessary permits.
Hike Length: 8.20km
Hike Details: The first 3km to the Grotto are very easy and on accessible and well-marked trails. Once we reach the Grotto and begin making our way to Stormaven the terrain gets rougher with steep climbs on exposed rocks and difficult paths on pebble beaches. We'll take it slow with lots of breaks and the hike should be achievable for anyone with a moderate fitness level.
06:50 - Meet at PetroCanada next to Keele Subway Station. There's free parking on Keele Street north of the station. Make sure you've had breakfast and used the washroom before meeting us!
07:00 - Leave Keele Station. Please note that we leave dead on time and cannot wait for latecomers.
11:30 - Arrive at the Cyprus Lake Campground office.
10:30-16:30 - Hike to Stormhaven campsite and back, stopping for lunch at the Grotto
16:30 - Begin return journey to Toronto. We'll stop at an OnRoute for fast food on the way back if people are hungry
20:30 - Anticipated return to Keele Station
This custom map is georeferenced, meaning it will show you where you are on the map in the right software and lays out the rough path that we’ll be following. It’s opened with the Avenza app which must be downloaded and installed in advance of the adventure.
You should also download the What3words app - this makes it easy to share and find locations in the unlikely event that you get lost.
Packing list
Have any questions? Ask us on the Discord! Members who turn up dressed in a way that puts themselves at risk will not be able to join us.
Grab breakfast before you go. There's a Tims around the corner from our meet-up point.
Bring a packed lunch, snacks and at least a 2 litres of water for the hike. We also reccomend electolyte drinks for hot days!
Self-drivers will need to reserve parking here.
Hiking injuries - Wear appropriate footwear and hike within your abilities. If you need extra support, bring hiking poles.
Getting lost - Stay with the group at all times to avoid getting lost. You should also download the map in advance to your phone
Animal danger - There may be bears in the area. If you see any, alert the group and back away.
Cliffs - We'll be walking close to some pretty dangerous cliffs. It's important that you keep a good distance from the edge
Cold water exposure - The Georgian bay water is dangerously cold. You should keep away from it.
Ticks & Lyme Disease
Blacklegged ticks are common in Ontario and can carry Lyme disease. There's no need to be concerned if you follow some basic precautionary steps.
To protect yourself:
– Wear long sleeves and tuck pants into socks. Lighter colours make it easier to spot any passengers.
– Use bug spray with DEET or Icaridin
– Check your whole body (and your pets) after hiking. Doing this while showering makes it easier.
If you find a tick, remove it right away with fine-tipped tweezers or tick removal tool, being careful not to pull off the head. Pull straight out, clean the area, and monitor for symptoms like a rash or flu-like feelings. If concerned, talk to a healthcare provider—early treatment is highly effective. Hang on to the tick after removal so you can send it in for testing if needed.
It usually takes 24–36 hours of attachment for the bacteria to be transmitted. That means early removal is key and that you don't need to worry if you've found one on you before 24 hours has passed.
We like to share some of the indigenous background of the areas we visit because these territories have rich histories that are easy to overlook. Indigenous communities have a connection to and respect for the land that has largely been lost since European settlement. As we strive to form a deeper connection with the land, we have much to learn from these communities. I use the Native Land map to learn more about these areas and find that developing a richer understanding leads to a greater enjoyment of the adventures.
Bruce Peninsula National Park, has a rich indigenous history that spans thousands of years. The area is traditionally inhabited by several indigenous groups, including the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi), Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy), and the Huron-Wendat.
You may remember the Potwatomi is the tribe of Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass.
The Anishinaabe peoples have long-standing connections to the land, considering it a part of their traditional territory. They have lived and thrived in the region for generations, relying on its diverse ecosystems for sustenance, spiritual practices, and cultural traditions. The Anishinaabe people have a deep knowledge of the land, its flora, fauna, and natural resources, and their traditional teachings emphasize the importance of maintaining a harmonious relationship with the natural world.
The Haudenosaunee Confederacy, known as the Six Nations, also have historical ties to the region. Their territory extended into parts of present-day Ontario, including the Bruce Peninsula area. The Haudenosaunee have a rich cultural heritage and governance structure, and their traditional knowledge and practices are intertwined with the land and its resources.
The Huron-Wendat people, another indigenous group with a significant historical presence in the area, were part of the Huron Confederacy, a powerful alliance of indigenous nations in the region. They inhabited lands around Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, which encompass the Bruce Peninsula. The Huron-Wendat had a complex social structure and were skilled farmers, traders, and artisans.
These indigenous groups have a deep understanding of the Bruce Peninsula's ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources. They have utilized the land for hunting, fishing, gathering medicinal plants, and conducting sacred ceremonies. The peninsula's unique geography, including its limestone cliffs, forests, wetlands, and shoreline, played a crucial role in their way of life.
To learn more, I recommend this article.
