This approimately 20km loop hike follows the Bruce Trail and Hockley Heights
side trail through the Hockley Valley area. For southern Ontario (I know, not
saying much...) this is one of the most aggressive marked trail hikes I have
experienced. Total ascent is over 1000 metres over the length of the hike as
you go up and down numerous valleys. Its a good hike to do if you like getting
a bit of a workout.
I have done this hike a couple of times in the fall, including after the season's
first snowfall. While the 4 inches of snow on the ground make ascents and descents
a bit slippery, this amount of snow also leveled out the trail reducing the
loop time by over 1/2 hour from my pre-snow trip. However, any more snow on
the ground would have made it more difficult, not easier, to the point where
snow shoes or skis would be handy, if not required. I used my Leki hiking poles
to steady myself, letting me concentrate on the beatiful scenery rather than
looking down and worrying about each foot placement. By the end of the hike
though my socks were soaking from snow that had forced its way down my hiking
boots. I'm going to invest in a pair of gaiters.
While there are many places to start this hike, so far I've tended to park
my car along side Hockley Rd. at the Bruce Trail crossing. From this point you
can go north or south; since I have hiked in and around the Hockley Valley area
a couple of times I have started the hike by going south as that terrain was
new to me. The hike starts by walking south on 2nd Line for 500m then turning
left following the trail as it skirts a farmer's field, though a golf course
and to the peak of the Hockley Ski Resort. The trail continues out of the ski
resort then through a woodland valley, emerging at 5th Line. At this point you'll
leave the Bruce Trail, following the Hockley Heights Side Trail north along
5th Line. The trail descends, crossing Hockley Rd., then rises back up.
5th Line deadends about 1 1/2 km north of Hockley Rd. with the trail continuing
down into the valley. The trail narrows as you begin one of the more challenging
sections, a series of steep climbs followed by equally steep descents. After
crossing 2 valleys the trail climbs up to 15 Sideroad, where the trail turns
to the east along the road. The side trail ends at the intersection of 3rd Line
and 15 Sideroad where it rejoins the Bruce Trail. Follow the Bruce Trail back
south along 3rd Line then east along Dunby Rd. About 3/4 km east of 3rd Line
the trail leaves Dunby Rd, turning south through a pathway along side farmer's
fields. After passing by the fields the trail goes through a wooded area, then
begins another series of valley crossings before making a slow rise back up
towards Hockley Rd.
Trailmaps
This simple map shows the layout of the trails.
Map Legend:
- lime green lines are the Bruce Trail segments
on roads
- darker green lines are Bruce Trail segments
on trails
- turquoise lines are Bruce Trail Side Trail
segments on roads
- blue lines are Bruce Trail Side Trail segments
on trails
This approimately 20km loop hike follows the Bruce Trail and Hockley Heights side trail through the Hockley Valley area. For southern Ontario (I know, not saying much...) this is one of the most aggressive marked trail hikes I have experienced. Total ascent is over 1000 metres over the length of the hike as you go up and down numerous valleys. Its a good hike to do if you like getting a bit of a workout.
I have done this hike a couple of times in the fall, including after the season's first snowfall. While the 4 inches of snow on the ground make ascents and descents a bit slippery, this amount of snow also leveled out the trail reducing the loop time by over 1/2 hour from my pre-snow trip. However, any more snow on the ground would have made it more difficult, not easier, to the point where snow shoes or skis would be handy, if not required. I used my Leki hiking poles to steady myself, letting me concentrate on the beatiful scenery rather than looking down and worrying about each foot placement. By the end of the hike though my socks were soaking from snow that had forced its way down my hiking boots. I'm going to invest in a pair of gaiters.
While there are many places to start this hike, so far I've tended to park my car along side Hockley Rd. at the Bruce Trail crossing. From this point you can go north or south; since I have hiked in and around the Hockley Valley area a couple of times I have started the hike by going south as that terrain was new to me. The hike starts by walking south on 2nd Line for 500m then turning left following the trail as it skirts a farmer's field, though a golf course and to the peak of the Hockley Ski Resort. The trail continues out of the ski resort then through a woodland valley, emerging at 5th Line. At this point you'll leave the Bruce Trail, following the Hockley Heights Side Trail north along 5th Line. The trail descends, crossing Hockley Rd., then rises back up.
5th Line deadends about 1 1/2 km north of Hockley Rd. with the trail continuing down into the valley. The trail narrows as you begin one of the more challenging sections, a series of steep climbs followed by equally steep descents. After crossing 2 valleys the trail climbs up to 15 Sideroad, where the trail turns to the east along the road. The side trail ends at the intersection of 3rd Line and 15 Sideroad where it rejoins the Bruce Trail. Follow the Bruce Trail back south along 3rd Line then east along Dunby Rd. About 3/4 km east of 3rd Line the trail leaves Dunby Rd, turning south through a pathway along side farmer's fields. After passing by the fields the trail goes through a wooded area, then begins another series of valley crossings before making a slow rise back up towards Hockley Rd.
Trailmaps
This simple map shows the layout of the trails.
Map Legend:
- lime green lines are the Bruce Trail segments on roads
- darker green lines are Bruce Trail segments on trails
- turquoise lines are Bruce Trail Side Trail segments on roads
- blue lines are Bruce Trail Side Trail segments on trails