Lion's Head Winter Hike

The new day dawned crisp, cold, and clear with amazing blue skies like we haven't seen much this winter. All my plans for indoor projects went out the window, and I headed out the door. We were off to explore on the Bruce Peninsula, one of Ontario's most wild and spectacular areas. All the winter gear-skis, 2 pair; snowshoes, 2 pair; ice skates; extra clothes-stay in my car for the season so no great packing to do. Just food and water into a backpack, and we're on Bruce Rd.9 headed north.

At first I thought we were headed to Bruce Peninsula National Park for a walk into Indian Head Cove and the Grotto. Plans changed though as a cloud bank moved in from the west. To make the best of blue skies and sun, we pulled in at Lion's Head. What a postcard perfect village! The bay is crystal clear and that lovely turquoise colour. The cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment rise high as ramparts up both sides of the bay. The lighthouse and marina are well-kept and scenic. It makes a delightful daytrip with lots to see and do, and some great food to sample.

We fortified ourselves at Marydale's Family Restaurant, a traditional rural diner, with homemade potato soup, a hearty sandwich, and of course, superb butter tarts. Try the tarts with "the works", heated with ice cream and caramel drizzle- oh my!!! Rachel's Bakery and 50's Diner is another delectable eating option, and is fun with authentic 50's decor. Several other eateries in and around Lion's Head come highly recommended but I have yet to sample their menus. More work to do; hooray!

You can catch the Bruce Trail right in the village along the water but we drove out McCurdy Dr. on the south shore to the hikers' parking lot. Excellent signage makes the area very accessible, and there are a variety of trail options- long, short, inland, coastal. All are rugged escarpment terrain so good footwear is essential. Walking poles are also helpful. These trails are great for snowshoeing but a bit rough for skis. on this day, trails were well-packed so we just walked.

I love to be out exploring the Niagara Escarpment, and the Bruce Trail is such an incredible resource. No wonder it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking the trails in winter, you see the shape of the trees, rocks, lands, and waters so clearly. We took our time on the hike, checking out side trails, potholes, animal tracks, and bird sounds. The views from the cliffs are truly awe-inspiring. I recommend following the loop from McCurdy Parking Lot counter-clockwise: Head into forest on Bruce Trail marked by white blazes; continue for 2-3km, about an hour walking, past the potholes to Lion's Head Lookout on the cliffs over Isthmus Bay; return to Moore St. Side Trail with blue blazes; this follows old roads to street and back to your car. Round trip about 5km, maybe 2 hrs easy walking. Enjoy the hike!!!