One of the biggest goals for Ontario-based hikers is conquering the Bruce Trail. Stretching film Niagara all the way to Tobermory, the trail offers 900kms of beautiful and rugged terrain ready to be explored. The Bruce Trail is maintained and preserved by a number of clubs covering different territories, and each year the clubs host their own End-to end events that enable hikers to complete full sections over time.

The Blue Mountain End-to-End is a two or three day event that covers a total 70kms of trail. This year, around 150 hikers participated. While many were local to the area, a number of participants visited from elsewhere specifically to complete the challenge. At the end of the first day, the hikers were all invited to gather at Highlands Nordic; their final destination for that leg of the journey, for a celebration and barbecue to refuel.

While the Bruce Trail Conservancy and its clubs all enjoy hosting events that bring the hiking community together like the End-to-Ends, their larger mission is one of stewardship and preservation. Currently, the Conservancy has purchased approximately 70% of the trail to keep it protected from development and destruction, and the organization is working towards securing the remaining 30%. By keeping the land under the protection of the Conservancy, the trails will be maintained for all users, and more importantly, the biodiversity and habitat that the trail land provides will be preserved.

For more information, visit https://brucetrail.org/explore-the-trail/