Trails

Harrison Park Loop

Distance: 1.5 km

Difficulty: Easy

The Harrison Park loop is a beautiful walk through hardwood forest and open parkland on wide, hard-packed trails following the Sydenham River. It's accessible in all seasons and a popular place to snowshoe or cross-country ski in winter. The loop begins at the trail head and kiosk just east of the park entrance off 2nd Avenue East. It follows the river south to the Freedom Trail, commemorating the first black settlers of Owen Sound, the most northern "station" on the Underground Railway. Stop to view the Black History Cairn, and the interpretive plaques around it.

The trail continues south towards the Harrison Park Inn, crossing the bridge near the duck pond to the east of it. Here, you will see blue blazes marking the Bruce Side Trail. Follow the trail south and across another bridge leading into the campground. Continue west past the pool to the Weaver's Creek Boardwalk and discover one of Owen Sound's treasured waterfalls, just beyond the boundary of Harrison Park. Be mindful that this is on private property. Quiet roads will take you back to the playgrounds and Harrison Park Inn, where you can fuel up with a meal or snack. The trails will lead you back to your starting point.

Owen Sound Waterfront Trail

Distance: 3 km

Difficulty: Easy

Explore Owen Sound's harbour along this 3-kilometre trail that stretches from Kelso Beach Park to the city's East boat launch, with historic plaques along the way. The trail passes by the Visitor Information Centre and Community Waterfront Heritage Centre, as well as the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre, offering gardens, a playground and small beach. The waterfront trail links with the Tom Thomson Trail to the east and the Georgian Bluffs Rail Trail  to the west. The trail is not maintained in winter.

Inglis Falls

Distance: 7.4km of looped trails

Difficulty: Varied

Severals trails fan out from Inglis Falls, the most popular waterfall in the region, with linkages to Harrison Park, the West Rocks, Jones Falls and the city's Centennial Tower. The Bruce Trail is the main artery with side trails offering shorter, looped hikes within the Inglis Falls Conservation Area. Features include more than 20 species of ferns, bird watching, glacial potholes and an expansive view of the Owen Sound valley and harbour. Salmon and trout spawn in the Sydenham River below. Open year-round for hiking, snowshoeing and cross- country skiing. Nominal parking fee in peak season. Access off Inglis Falls Road, north of Country Road 18

Palisades Loop (Bruce Trail)

Distance: 1.8km

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

The Palisades loop of the Bruce Trail offers a rare chance to hike the lower talus of the Niagara Escarpment, hugging cliff walls that slope down to the Owen Sound valley below. The trail is rugged in areas, but showcases a spectacular range of flora, fauna and rock formations.

Access the trail from the south end of 7th Avenue East where the pavement ends. From the trail head on the east side of the street, walk a short 75 metres and turn right onto the Palisades Side Trail, marked with blue blazes. The trail climbs to an intersection with the Bruce Trail; turn left to complete a shorter loop back to the trail head, or continue on the Palisades Side Trail south, where it meets the main trail again. Turn left to continue the Palisades loop, heading uphill over rocky terrain to a spectacular canyon with cliffs towering over you on both sides.

You can reach the summit of the escarpment - the Raven's Nest - by taking a short side trail to the lookout.

Back on the main trail heading north keep your eyes open for an unmarked, narrow opening in the cliff face on your right. It leads to the "Devil's Playhouse," an enclave with rock "benches" and an overhang serving as a roof -- one of nature's many wonders on this loop.

The trail continues north to the Harrison Park Side Trail on your left; follow the blue blazes back to the trail head.

The Nine Bends Trail

Distance: 0.5km

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

The Nine Bends Trail is one of many paths in Owen  Sound  that  offer  pedestrians  a short-cut through the escarpment from one street to another. The Nine Bends is a steep, windy path that connects 1st Street West near Harrison Park to the Greenwood Cemetery.

The Bruce Trail

Distance: 45 km in the Owen Sound area

Difficulty: Easy to difficult

The Bruce Trail is the longest and oldest footpath in   Canada,   stretching   886   kilometres   from Niagara Falls to Tobermory along the Niagara Escarpment - a recognized world biosphere reserve. The  trail  forms  a  ribbon  around Owen  Sound,  linking  the  Centennial  Tower, Harrison Park, Inglis Falls, the West Rocks and Jones Falls. Look for white painted "blazes" on trees along the Bruce Trail to mark your path. Blue blazes denote a side trail. Members of the Sydenham Bruce Trail Club maintain the trails in this area. Bruce Trail guides are available at the Owen Sound Visitor Information Centre or from www.brucetrail.org.

Indian Falls

Distance: .7 km

Difficulty: Challenging

The 20-minute hike along Indian Creek is vigorous, with steep hills and rocky terrain, but you are rewarded with sheer beauty when you reach Indian Falls, a 15-metre cascade at the end. The horseshoe-shaped waterfall is similar in formation to Niagara Falls. Parking available at the trail head off County Road 1 north of Owen Sound. Trail not maintained in winter.

Jones Falls

Distance: 6 km of looped trails

Difficulty: Varied

The Pottawatomi River cascades 12 metres over the escarpment at Jones Falls, just west of Owen Sound. The trail cuts through large clusters of white and red trilliums  in  the  spring and  leads  to  a  wonderful  view  of  the surrounding lowlands. Cross the bridge for the best views, but watch your footing on the rocky terrain. Parking available at the Grey-Bruce Visitor Centre on Highway 6.

Rail Trails

Distance: Various

Difficulty: Moderate

The Georgian Bluffs Trail and the CP  Rail Trail  are two former railway trails open to the public. The hard-packed dirt and gravel trails are used primarily by off-road cyclists and snowmobilers. Access the Georgian Bluffs Trail from County Road 1 just north of the Georgian Shores Marina, where it continues 16 kilometres through scenic farmland to Park Head. The CP Rail Trail is 77 kilometres long, with coarse gravel in the southern sections.

Hibou Conservation Area Trails

Distance: 4.5 km of looped trails

Difficulty: Easy

The Hibou conservation area sports two  natural, sandy beaches and 4.5 kilometres of gentle, flat trails and boardwalks. Enjoy the 1.2-km Point Loop on the waterfront or the Main Trail, on the other side of the road. Park at the trail head on Highway 15, a short drive east of Owen Sound. Also accessible by bike via the Tom Thomson Trail. Open year-round, with snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter. Nominal parking fee in peak season.

Stoney Orchard Park

Distance: 2 km of looped trails

Difficulty: Easy

Stoney Orchard Park offers several kilometres of flat, wide stone dust trails accessible to all recreational users. Along the western edge, marvel at the cliff-top views of Georgian Bay below. The trail system links with quiet city streets and paths to offer access to a number of other areas, including the Kiwanis Soccer Complex, the Tom Thomson Trail, the Harbourfront Trail, Heritage Place Mall, the Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre and downtown Owen Sound. Parking available off 23rd Ave. East near Ecole St. Dominique Savio. Open all seasons.

Tom Thomson Trail

Distance: 43.4 km

Difficulty: Easy to Challenging

Named after the iconic Canadian painter Tom Thomson, this recreational cycling trail leads from Owen Sound to Leith, the small village that Thomson called home during his childhood years, and the place he is now buried. The Hibou Conservation Area and trails are just beyond the village. The Tom Thomson Trail continues on to Meaford, where it connects with the Georgian Trail to Collingwood.

West Rocks and Derby Forest Trails

Distance: 13 km, looped trails

Difficulty: Moderate

The West Rocks trail system consists of the Bruce Trail, offering spectacular views of the City and beyond from the western bluffs, and the Brant Tract trails that loop behind the main trail and are often used by cyclists. A feature of the West Rocks trail is the former limestone quarry that provided the foundation of many historic homes in Owen Sound. You can access the West Rocks Trails on foot at 7th Street West and 7th Avenue West.

'Catwalks' and Paths

The city of Owen Sound lies in a river valley carved deep into the Niagara Escarpment with numerous hills and cliff-tops that present challenges in terms of getting around. The solution: pedestrian "catwalks" or paths linking streets to one another. Owen Sound has many of these short-cuts, some iron stairways (maintenance-free in winter), and some paved pathways. Most are steep and not for the faint of heart.