Compare Bruce Peninsula Traverse by Great Canadian Trails vs Canada (Western): See & Experience it ALL in 10 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours by Charlie The Traveler

Day 1 Transfer from Owen Sound. Optional afternoon hike.

You will need to make your way to the pick-up point in Owen Sound from which you will be shuttled to the small town of Wiarton - the home of the famous weather-predicting groundhog and the center of the 'Wiarton Willie Festival' held annually around Groundhog Day. Wiarton is the southern start point for the Peninsular section of the Bruce Trail, which makes it the perfect start point for your hike. Check into your cozy B&B and, time permitting, go for one of the suggested loop hikes this afternoon such as the 'Wiarton Loop'. This loop is an easy 5.6km (3.5 mile) hike taking you to the legendary Spirit Roc where you can walk amongst the ruins of a late 1800's mansion (the 'Corran'), and the McNeill Estate. Enjoy your first view across Colpoy Bay atop the Niagara Escarpment before returning to town where a number of dining options allow you to fill up before your first big day of hiking the Bruce Trail.

Day 2 Walk from Jones Bluff to Hope Bay (19.7km/12.2miles, 7hrs, +120m/-310m or +390ft/-1020ft)

After a hearty breakfast at your B&B, you will be driven to the Jones Bluff trail access point. From here, you will follow the trail closely along the scarp edge and enjoy ever-changing views of Cape Croker and Sydney Bay, as well as a pleasant walk through a succession of forest. The trail takes you down into Sydney Bay and then back up over Sydney Bay Bluff. It then descends a couple of wooden ladders and emerges into quiet and serene Hope Bay. Here you will find a pretty beach, campground, and a small general store. Due to a lack of dining options in Hope Bay, you will be picked up here in the evening and taken back to Wiarton where restaurant options await

meals : B,L

Day 3 Walk from Hope Bay to Rush Cove (14km/8.7miles, 5hrs, +/-120m/394ft)

After breakfast and check-out, you will return to where you left off the day before with a drop off at Hope Bay. Today's walk takes you along the main trail and around Cape Dundas to scenic Rush Cove. Explore Magazine has listed the Cape Dundas Loop as one of Canada's 8 'essential routes' and you will soon find out why! Today's highlights include glacial pot holes, rare open alvar, walking along the base of the rocky escarpment, and large, moss-covered boulders that create an other-worldly and magical forest environment. Rush Cove is a lovely spot to end the day and enjoy the rocky shore before your pick-up and transfer to the town of Lion's Head where you can settle into your B&B and enjoy dinner in town.

meals : B,L

Day 4 Lion's Head Loop (16.8km/10.4miles, 7hrs, +/-100m/328ft)

After another delightful breakfast from your hosts, head out for the hike that some claim to be the highlight of the peninsula - the Lion's Head Loop. This is one of the more challenging sections of the trail with plenty of ups and downs, exposed tree roots, and rocky pathways. The dramatic views from the exposed cliff-tops at Gun Point and postcard-perfect Lion's Head Lookout make it clear as to why this is a 'must-do' on any hiker's list. We recommend walking the loop in a counter-clockwise direction.

meals : B,L

Day 5 Walk from White Bluff to Cape Chin North (18.7km/11.6miles)

After breakfast, you will be picked up by your trusty transfer service and taken to the trailhead off Forty Hills Rd. From here you will begin your walk through the White Bluff Provincial Nature Reserve towards Cape Chin. Northeast of the trailhead atop the escarpment at White Bluff, you will encounter a spectacular vista overlooking Isthmus Bay to the cliffs of Lion’s Head. Continuing north you will follow the mixed forests of the nature reserve and rugged trails atop the escarpment. Your next major point of interest, the impressive Smokey Head lookout, will offer you sweeping views over the coast. You will pass inland through a forest of hardwood trees that emerges again to the familiar turquoise shoreline of Georgian Bay. From here you will hike until you reach Cape Chin South. A short detour offers a magnificent beach with whimsical benches, walkways and fire pits constructed out of the surrounding beach stone. It’s as though every resident along the shore decided to follow a landscaping guideline of creativity. Back on the trail you will head North until you reach Cape Chin itself, which makes for a beautiful 270 degree viewpoint of the surrounding waters. After this you will emerge onto Cape Chin North Road a short distance away from tonight's accommodations.

meals : B,L,D

Day 6 Walk Dyer's Bay to Cape Chin North (6.7km/4.2miles to 11.2km/7.0miles+, 2 to 4hrs+, +/-70m/230ft)

There are a few options for your hike today, as there are multiple drop-off points along the trail between Cape Chin and Dyer's Bay, and a few optional side trails which can either shorten or extend your walk. For the longest hike on the main trail (of at least 11.2km/7.0miles), you will be dropped off just north of Dyer's Bay near Juniper Flats. Alternatively, you may be dropped off at the trailhead in Dyer's Bay for a shorter walk on the main trail. Either way, your walk will take you past several fantastic lookouts atop the escarpment. For those interested in birding, the Otter Lake Side Trail is a possible extension and highlight today as you will walk through a nesting habitat (peak months are May and June) for a large variety of wetland bird species. Another highlight today, regardless of your chosen route, will be the Devil's Monument - A large sea stack or 'flowerpot' which has separated from the adjacent cliff face. You will stay at the same lovely B&B tonight in Cape Chin.

meals : B,L,D

Day 7 Bruce Peninsula National Park (16.5km/10.3miles, 6hrs)

Today we enjoy a spectacular section of the trail through Bruce Peninsula National Park. You will be dropped off within the park and continue northwest along the main trail. Within the park, the main highlights are Indian Head Cove, the Natural Arch, and the 'must see' Grotto - An impressive cave on the shore with sunlight from the outside revealing a brilliant blue underwater tunnel on the inside. Other than the park highlights today, a real gem is further north at Little Cove where the trail descends to a shore of weathered dolostone blocks. You will be picked up at the Little Cove Provincial Nature Reserve parking area and transferred to Tobermory, where you will spend the next 3 nights. Apart from being home to the northern terminus of the Bruce Trail, Tobermory is known as the freshwater SCUBA diving capital of the world. It has plenty of tourist facilities, shops and restaurants to explore.

meals : B,L

Day 8 Optional excursions from Tobermory

A simple, continental breakfast is included at your hotel but other options are also available at the hotel or in town. Today is yours to do as you like. This morning, you have the option of finishing your Bruce Trail traverse in true form by heading to the mainland section of Fathom Five National Marine Park. Here the main trail joins a scenic loop through the park overlooking the park's offshore islands. Coming back out of the park, you will follow trail markers to the cairn, marking the northern terminus of the Bruce Trail. The total distance for the walk to your hotel is about 5km/3miles. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from for lunch and dinner options today.

meals : B

Day 9 Day trip to Flower Pot Island

Your exploration of the Bruce Trail is complete, but the exploration doesn't end today! You can't visit Tobermory without taking a trip to famous Flowerpot Island. Purchase a ticket aboard a glass-bottom boat today that will take you over shipwrecks and past lighthouses to the islands. You have a full day on Flowerpot Island to explore its many trails and its namesake 'the flowerpots'; outlying stacks of escarpment or cliffs that stand a short distance from the island, most with diverse vegetation still growing on them. Return to Tobermory and enjoy your final night on the peninsula.

meals : B

Day 10 Tour ends with a transfer to Owen Sound

You may be picked up from your hotel this morning and transferred back to Owen Sound.

meals : B

Day 1: Welcome to the Rocky Mountains

Through the city of Edmonton, we reach our first destination. This is none other than the resort town of Jasper. It is home to the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Jasper National Park attracts those seeking vast wilderness, majestic peaks and lots of wildlife.

Note that if you cannot arrive at the Edmonton Airport by 2:00pm, you will need a ‘pre-tour’ day. You would sleep in Downtown Edmonton for that evening and would start our tour the following day. We would make all arrangements for you in the event you need to sleep in Edmonton.

Day 2: A Fantasy Boat Ride & Abundant Wildlife

As a daytrip from Jasper, we visit Maligne Canyon and Medicine Lake as well as do a boat cruise from Maligne Lake to Spirit Island. Maligne Canyon contains waterfalls, underground stream outlets, birds and plant life. Wildlife is surprisingly abundant along Medicine Lake. Grizzly bear, black bear, mule deer, wolves, moose, mountain sheep and bald eagles are some of the animals which frequent the lake area during the summer season. The lake cruise is scenic and is arguably the highlight of the day.

Day 3: A Monster Bus on a Glacier & One of the Most Scenic Drives on Earth

Although we are relocating from Jasper to the resort town of Banff, a lot of important stops are made along the way: Athabasca Falls, Columbia Icefield (ride on the actual glacier with a specially designed, stretched out monster bus!), Weeping Wall Waterfalls, Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier and Peyto Lake. Today is best described as one of the most scenic drives on Earth! Note that lunch is included on today’s tour.

Day 4: A Pilot’s View of Paradise & a Canyon Deservedly Displayed on Postcards

As a daytrip from Banff, our morning starts with a visit to the town of Canmore. It is from there we take a helicopter ride. The mountainous scenery is like no other. In the latter part of the day, after returning to Banff, we visit the nearby Johnston Canyon. Limestone rock eroding over thousands of years led to a picture-perfect creation combining sheer canyon walls, waterfalls, tunnels and natural pools.

Day 5: Instagram-Famous Photo Stops, a Lake Cruise & Thundering Waterfalls

As another daytrip from Banff, today we visit Bow Falls, Surprise Corner Lookout, Hoodoos Viewpoint, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. We also go on an enjoyable boat cruise at Lake Minnewanka. The evening ends with a ride on Banff Gondola. We ascend Sulphur Mountain (2,281 meters or 7,484 feet) and then follow the well-designed skywalk.

Day 6: The Ultimate Seaplane Tour & an Ice Bar

After relocating by both land and air from Banff to the resort town of Whistler, we go on a seaplane ride: rugged peaks, majestic glaciers, lush alpine meadows and turquoise glacial waters. After this flightseeing tour, we return to town. Over two million people visit Whistler annually. Its pedestrian village has won numerous design awards. Whistler has been voted among the top destinations in North America by major magazines since the mid-1990s.

We encourage you to end the day with a visit to the town’s most famous ice bar. It is fascinating even to those who do not drink.

Day 7: The Outdoor Adventurist’s Favorite Day of All

As excursions from Whistler, we go off-roading, whitewater rafting and ziplining. These are three of the very most popular activities in Whistler…and we are doing them all in one day! Even if we ignore the thrill aspect, the nature we see today gives enough reason why not to miss out.

Day 8: Walking a Suspension Bridge, Touching Peak to Peak by Cable Car & Nightlife

Before relocating by land to the city of Vancouver, we go on the so-called ‘Peak 2 Peak’ Gondola. Until 2017, it held the world record for the longest free span between ropeway towers. Adding to the overall experience is the ski lift ride and a 425-foot suspension bridge called Cloudraker Skybridge.

Once in Vancouver, we head to another suspension bridge. It is called Capilano. It is 140 meters (460 feet) long and 70 meters (230 feet) above the river. Capilano draws over 1.2 million visitors per year. We recommend you end your evening in Downtown Vancouver, specifically in an area called Gastown. There you will find lots of restaurants, galleries, shops and places to party.

Day 9: Whales, Islands, Beaches & a Food Market

Before making a daytrip by seaplane to the village of Tofino, we visit Vancouver’s most famous public market. It is located on Granville Island. Established in 1979, Granville Island Public Market is located in an enclosed facility where customers can purchase fresh produce, meat, seafood, cheeses and other products, many of which are locally sourced. There are approximately 50 vendors in the market, some of which are food vendors. They sell a range of items from Mexican, Asian, Greek and deli food to candy and snacks. The market attracts both local residents and tourists.

The seaplane ride between Vancouver and Tofino is quite scenic. On a clear day, we can see whales as well as Clayoquot Sound. This is a body of water with many inlets and islands. While in Tofino, we have time to walk around town. A visit to Chesterman Beach is recommended for those who wish to swim.

Day 10: Our Tour Ends This Morning

Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport or port in Vancouver.