Hiking Bruce Peninsula

We decided to spend Labor weekend at Bruce(8km), then, hiking 12km to Stormhaven on the
Peninsula, famous for its crystal clear water,second day finishing in Tobermory on the third
ancient stone plates and rocks, pebble beach andday with 20 km hike. But since we had only 2
challenging hiking trails. Our initial thought was todays, we decided to hike from Cyprus Lake to
stay at Cyprus Lake or private campground, or inStormhaven and then hike back on the second
worst case scenario at the motel. But all sites andday. The backcountry campsite costs around $30
rooms were booked. It was possible to get aper night plus you pay $12 for each night of
regular motel room for $173 per night, but weparking.
thought it is too pricey.Initially we hiked from Cyprus Lake to Grotto.
And then we were lucky enough to book soGrotto is the most popular attraction for all
called backcountry campsite. There are only 18Cyprus Lake campers (hundreds of them), so
sites like these offered by Bruce Peninsula Nationaldon't expect any privacy or piece there on the
Park. These sites can be only accessed by feetlong weekend. In a summer weekend it reminds a
through moderate difficulty hike trails and don'tzoo. But once you get away from the Cyprus
have electricity, therefore are not popular amongLake trail, it is getting very quiet and wild. We met
regular tourists. They offer true wildernessonly few people during our 1.5 hour hike.
experience. And unbelievably 3 sites out of 18The water is very clear therefore it does not get
were still available two days prior one of the mostwarm even by the end of the summer. I would
popular long weekends in Canada!assume it was around 15 degrees Celsius, but it
Of course, such camping requires some fitnesswas completely worth getting through the chill due
and special equipment, but I already collected allto the amazing snorkeling in the blue wonderland.
camping items over last 8 years of camping.The hike trails gives very good variety of shore
Some important items for two-day backcountryline, steep rocks and deep woods. It is marked
camping are: hiking boots, large backpacks (75-85with very visible white marks that are hard to
liters), light-weight tent (I love my $400 MSRmiss. By the way, the trail is part of the larger
Mutha Hubba tent), small gas stove, light-weightBruce Peninsula trail that is 863 km long and
sleeping bags and sleeping pads. Also you need toconnects Niagara Falls with Tobermory.
take proper amount of food to last at least 5Once we arrived to the site, we were impressed
servings, as the calories burn fast.with the quality of campsites. Campsites had
So, after one day of preparation, we left Torontowood platform for the tent, special ropes for
on early Saturday morning to get to Cyprus Lakestoring the food away from bears and very
Park around 10 am. It took us 4 hours to getfancy composting bathroom that uses sawdust.
there. At Cyprus Lake you pay the fees andBecause of few campsites, the community of
register your vehicle for overnight parking.campers is very small and cozy. It consists of
Bruce Peninsula has 2 backcountry campgroundshikers and kayakers and most of them are very
called High Dump and Stormhaven. There are fourexperienced travelers with many interesting
main access points: from the south it is north endstories to share. The sunset was breathtaking. In
of Crane Lake road (Highway 6 -> Dyers Bay ->the morning we had our breakfast prepared on
Crane Lake), in the middle we have Halfway Loggas stove (open fires are prohibited), packed
Dump that is the end of Emmett Lake Rd andbackpacks and hiked back from this small
Cyprus Lake; and you can access the trail fromparadise.
the north at the end of Little Cove Rd.There are a lot of great rental cottages at Bruce
Ideally, you can spend 3 days of hiking startingPeninsula and hiking the Bruce Trail can be great
from Crane Lake to High Dump on the first dayone day adventure.