Parkbus now offers a new route to Rattlesnake Point and Crawford Lake Conservation Areas. Book this trip and you can spend a whole day in one park, or visit both in one day by hiking the Bruce Trail.
Start your day off at Rattlesnake Point and enjoy the scenic views from the top of the escarpment on the Vista Adventure Trail (green). Here you will find cedar trees estimated to be over 800 years old! Visit the Buffalo Crag or Nassagaweya look-out points for panoramic views. The Vista Adventure Trail meets up with the top of the Nassagaweya Canyon Trail (red), which will take you down through the Nassagaweya Canyon, which cuts through the Niagara Escarpment, on the Bruce Trail (blue/purple/yellow).
The Canyon is full of natural wonders! Limestone cliff faces, caves, rare plants like the hackberry tree more ancient cedars, and lots of birding opportunities. Follow this trail all the way to Crawford Lake Conservation Area and end at the Iroquoian Village the famous meromictic lake. The trail is a 4.7 km trek one-way to travel between parks.
To hike it round-trip is almost 10km, which is estimated to take between 4-5 hours (but you can do just one-way)! The round-trip map is available on AllTrails App - highly recommended as you can track yourself in real time. Be sure to bring enough water and pack a lunch if you plan to hike between parks.
The Bruce trail is made up the main Bruce Trail (blue) and Side Trails (yellow and purple). Remember to follow the blazes! White markers indicate the main Bruce trail and blue markers indicate you are on a side trail. You can also download the Bruce Trail app to help guide the way. For safety and to make it easier to locate you if you become lost or hurt, having the what3words app on your phone can help emergency services find you faster.
Warning: occasionally sections of the trail between parks can close due to safety hazards (fallen trees after big storms). It is open as of May 27, 2022 (just reopened after May 2022 Derecho Storm), but it is wise to check with park staff on the day of arrival.