The Blue Mountain area sits along the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve that offers some of the finest hiking in Ontario. From easy waterfront strolls to challenging cliff-edge trails with panoramic views of Georgian Bay, there are options here for every fitness level and interest.
The Bruce Trail
The Bruce Trail is Canada's oldest and longest marked footpath, stretching 900 kilometres from Niagara Falls to Tobermory. Several of its best sections pass through the Blue Mountain area, making this region one of the top hiking destinations along the entire trail.
Loree Forest Section
- **Distance:** 5 kilometres one way
- **Difficulty:** Moderate
- **Highlights:** Old-growth forest, Escarpment views, diverse bird life
The Loree Forest section winds through mature hardwood forest along the edge of the Escarpment. The trail is well-marked with the Bruce Trail's signature white blazes and offers several viewpoints overlooking the valley below. In fall, this section is spectacular with autumn colours.
Pretty River Valley Section
- **Distance:** 7 kilometres loop
- **Difficulty:** Moderate to challenging
- **Highlights:** River crossings, steep climbs, valley views
This section descends into the Pretty River Valley and climbs back up the Escarpment on the other side. The terrain is more demanding than most nearby trails, with significant elevation change and some rocky footing. The effort is rewarded with beautiful valley views and a sense of genuine wilderness.
Kolapore Section
- **Distance:** Various loops from 3 to 12 kilometres
- **Difficulty:** Moderate to challenging
- **Highlights:** Remote wilderness feel, excellent cross-country skiing in winter
The Kolapore Uplands area offers a network of trails through one of southern Ontario's most ecologically significant forests. The terrain is rolling and the trails are less maintained than other sections, giving the area a backcountry feel that is unusual this close to civilization.
Scenic Caves Nature Adventures
- **Distance:** Multiple trails totalling about 5 kilometres
- **Difficulty:** Easy to moderate
- **Highlights:** Cave exploration, suspension bridge, Georgian Bay views
Scenic Caves is one of the area's most popular hiking destinations and for good reason. The trail system leads through ancient caves carved into the Escarpment rock, across a dramatic suspension bridge high above the forest canopy, and to viewpoints overlooking Georgian Bay. In summer, the caves are cool and refreshing, and the experience feels genuinely adventurous.
The suspension bridge alone is worth the visit. At 126 metres long, it spans a deep gorge and provides breathtaking views of the surrounding forest and distant bay.
Blue Mountain Resort Trails
Blue Mountain Summit Trail
- **Distance:** 3 kilometres return
- **Difficulty:** Easy to moderate
- **Highlights:** Mountain-top views, accessible via gondola
You can hike or ride the open-air gondola to the top of Blue Mountain, then follow the Summit Trail along the ridge for panoramic views of Georgian Bay and the surrounding countryside. This is an easy, family-friendly option that rewards you with spectacular scenery for minimal effort.
Mountain Biking Trails (Hiking-Friendly Sections)
Several of Blue Mountain's mountain biking trails are also open to hikers during certain times. Check with the resort for current trail access, as policies vary by season and day of the week.
Nottawasaga Lookout Provincial Nature Reserve
- **Distance:** 3 kilometres return
- **Difficulty:** Moderate (steady climb)
- **Highlights:** Panoramic lookout, old-growth forest
This short but rewarding hike climbs steadily through dense forest to a dramatic lookout over the Nottawasaga River valley. The viewpoint extends for kilometres in every direction, and on clear days, you can see all the way to the distant shoreline. The trail is well-maintained and marked, though the climb can be strenuous for casual hikers.
Petun Conservation Area
- **Distance:** 4 kilometres loop
- **Difficulty:** Moderate
- **Highlights:** Escarpment edge trails, rock outcrops, forest ecology
Petun Conservation Area offers trails that follow the Escarpment edge through mixed forest and along rock outcrops. The trails are less trafficked than Scenic Caves or the Bruce Trail's more popular sections, providing a quieter hiking experience. The area is particularly beautiful in late spring when wildflowers are blooming and in fall when the hardwood canopy turns brilliant colours.
Craigleith Provincial Park
- **Distance:** 2 kilometres loop
- **Difficulty:** Easy
- **Highlights:** Shoreline trail, fossil hunting, beach access
For a gentle walk with young children or anyone seeking a flat, easy trail, Craigleith Provincial Park offers a shoreline path along Georgian Bay. The park is known for its shale beach where you can find fossils embedded in the rocks. It is a pleasant complement to more strenuous hikes and provides direct access to the lakeshore.
Trail Tips for the Blue Mountain Area
What to Bring
- Sturdy hiking shoes with good traction (trails can be rocky and rooted)
- At least one litre of water per person
- Snacks and a packed lunch for longer hikes
- Sunscreen and insect repellent (especially June through August)
- A trail map or downloaded offline map
- Rain jacket (weather on the Escarpment can change quickly)
Trail Etiquette
- Stay on marked trails to protect sensitive Escarpment ecology
- Pack out everything you bring in
- Yield to uphill hikers on narrow trails
- Keep dogs leashed and clean up after them
- Leave wildflowers and plants undisturbed
Best Seasons for Hiking
- **Spring (May to June)** — Wildflowers and waterfalls at their peak, but trails can be muddy
- **Summer (July to August)** — Lush green canopy provides shade on hot days
- **Fall (September to October)** — Arguably the best season, with spectacular fall colours and comfortable temperatures
- **Winter** — Many trails are hikeable with proper footwear, or transition to snowshoeing
Base Your Hiking Trip from Blue View Chalets
Blue View Chalets is centrally located for accessing all the trails described in this guide. After a day of hiking, return to a comfortable chalet where you can soak in the hot tub, prepare a meal in the full kitchen, and relax in spacious living areas. Our chalets accommodate groups of 8 to 20, making them perfect for hiking clubs, friend groups, and families who want to explore the Escarpment together over a long weekend.
Or call us at (416) 203-2057
