One of the best ways to experience the natural beauty of Clearview Township is from the Trail! Whether you're interested in hiking world class trails including the Bruce Trail and the Ganaraska Trail, or if you're looking for a more leisurely experience such as the Clearview EcoPark Loop Trail; there is definitely a hiking experience for you!
From rolling hills, vistas and villages, discover Clearview the best way, on two wheels! Many of the trails and on-road cycling routes connect the settlement areas of Clearview Township and are a popular amongst locals and tourists.
Due to COVID-19, we ask residents and visitors to respect physical distancing (2m or 6ft. apart), wear a face covering when physical distancing is not possible, use hand sanitizer and wash hands frequently. Hike close to home! Follow the public health recommendations to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.
Here are some of the trails that you can enjoy throughout Clearview Township:
Distance: 5.5km
Difficulty: Easy / Moderate Walk
The Clearview EcoPark Loop provides residents with a safe, active trail system that connects residents from downtown Stayner with Clearview’s newest naturalized area. The Clearview EcoPark Loop utilizes a mix of sidewalks and built trail network and with numerous access points into the various subdivisions both along the trail and west of the park, it’s the perfect destination for those looking to get out for a walk, bike ride. try geocaching or to go birdwatching.
Location
The Clearview EcoPark Loop can be accessed from Scott Street and Weir Street in Stayner. The loop can also be accessed at both the Clearview EcoPark and EcoBark.
View location on the Clearview EcoPark Loop Map (PDF)
Video
Thank you to 95.1 The Peak FM for helping to promote the open spaces and trails in Clearview Township. Watch the video to see more about the Clearview EcoPark and the Nottawasaga Bluffs Conservation Area. Video link on Facebook.
Distance: 250m
Difficulty: Easy Walk
Linking with the Clearview EcoPark Loop, the Story Book Trail provides an outdoor learning experience that combines physical activity with learning through the children’s book told on the twelve storyboards located around the trail. The crushed gravel trail provides a stable and accessible surface and links with the EcoPark Loop for access to local neighbourhoods and Downtown Stayner. The storyboards are approximately 30 inches from the ground, perfect for young children to look at the pictures and read the story. The Story Book Trail is a community initiative in partnership with Clearview Meadows Elementary School, Clearview Township, Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, Stayner Collegiate Institute and TD.
The Book is Ishi: Simple Tips from a Solid Friend by Akiko Yabuki.
Location
The Story Book Trail is open from July-August and on weekends. It can be accessed from Locke Avenue through the Clearview Meadows playground gate.
Distance: 14 km
Difficulty: Easy
Spanning from Collingwood to Stayner, the Clearview Collingwood Train Trail is a crushed gravel, linear trail connecting to the Collingwood Train Trail. It follows an abandoned rail line which used to be part of the Ontario Simcoe and Huron Railway system connecting Collingwood to Toronto. Prior to its abandonment in 1960, passengers enjoyed views of the tranquil landscape along the way. Now used as a multi-use trail, hikers and bikers can enjoy this flat railbed, stopping in either Stayner or Collingwood for lunch or a break.
Location
The Bruce Trail: Canada's old marked footpath crosses Ontario from Niagara region through to Tobermory. The Blue Mountains Club maintains the Bruce Trail areas from Lavender to Craigleith, which boasts the highest elevation on the Bruce Trail at 540 m at Osler Bluff Lookout. The Beaver Valley Club looks after the trail from Craigleith to Blantyre through Loree Forest and Kolapore. Guide books for sale at our Visitor Centre. The Bruce Trail is marked with white blazes 5cm wide by 15cm high. They are painted on trees and fence posts. A single blaze indicates the route continue forward, a double blaze (one above the other) marks that a turn is imminent. Blazes in blue signify side-trails that may lead to lookouts, campsites or for circle trails. Diamond shaped Bruce Trail symbols and access signs also mark the routes.
Purchase a Bruce Trail Guide Book or download the Bruce Trail App. There are many main trail access points and side trails in South Georgian Bay, all featuring scenic spots for communing with nature.
For more information about the Bruce Trail Clubs in South Georgian Bay or to learn about membership, go to www.brucetrail.org.
Distance: 30m
Difficulty: Moderate Hiking Ability
Look for the Franks Kiln Side Trail to see the kiln once used by early settlers to burn dolostone rock to create lime, and the Freedom Rock, with inscriptions on it made by people of days gone by.
Location
The Franks Limestone Kiln Side Trail is located on the North side of County Rd 91, West of Duntroon (County Road 124). Look for the blue Bruce Trail signs.
For more information: Bruce Trail Conservancy
This non-operating park, located on County Road 124 just west of Singhampton, features the highest peaks along the Escarpment, 460 meters above sea level. Walk to the lookout platform and admire the steep bedrock gorge and sweeping view of the entire valley. The highest location in Southern Ontario, reaching an elevation of approx. 546 meters above sea level, lies about 4 km to the northwest on the Singhampton moraine, looking at Edward Lake.
For more information, visit: http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trails/view/devils-glen-provincial-park-trail
Location
The Devil's Glen Provincial Park Trail is located 10 minutes South of Duntroon on County Road 124.
Distance: 3.5km
Difficulty: Easy / Moderate Hike
From Collingwood, take County Road 124 south to the edge of Singhampton. Turn left at Milltown Road and follow the signs for the Nottawasaga Bluffs Conservation Authority. The road twists and turns but follow the signs until the road ends at the Nottawasaga Bluffs Conservation Authority parking lot. Pick up the white blazes of the main Bruce Trail, head south for 600 m and turn right (west) for 400 m to the camping area. Take the Keyhole Side Trail to the west (right) and be prepared to play among the rocks, a delight for children of all ages. The trail leads you down to Keyhole rock, then joins the Nottawasaga Bluffs Side Trail. Turn left, follow the trail up hill to re-join the main trail, and here is a short blue-blazed trail that goes out to the bluffs. At the end of these lookouts are caves, another playground for the adventurous. Returning to the top of the Escarpment, continue straight ahead to the east, traverse pleasant woods for 1.5 km back to the parking area.
Location
The Nottawasaga Bluffs Loop is located 15 minutes South of Singhampton on Sideraod 15/16 heading into the village of Glen Huron.
Click to view location on Google Maps
Video
Thank you to 95.1 The Peak FM for helping to promote the open spaces and trails in Clearview Township. Watch the video to see more about the Clearview EcoPark and the Nottawasaga Bluffs Conservation Area. Video link on Facebook
The Ganaraska Trail begins in Port Hope, located on the north shore of Lake Ontario. The trail passes through a variety of scenery from Lake Ontario, north through the Ganaraska Forest on the sand hills of the Oak Ridges Moraine and past the lakes and drumlin fields of the Kawarthas to the rugged wilderness of the Canadian Shield. The unique Wilderness section of the Trail is on the Pre-Cambrian shield and connects the southern and northern parts of the Trail. The Trail then continues west through the rolling hills of Simcoe where it meets the Bruce Trail at McKinney’s Hill, Glen Huron. A cairn marks the end of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail. The Trail continues from the Niagara Escarpment to a terminus at Wasaga Beach. A second branch of the Trail runs from north of Horseshoe Valley to Highway 32 near Port McNicol on Georgian Bay.
For information on the Ganaraska Trail, please visit the official trail website.
Distance: 1.2km
Difficulty: Easy
The 68.5 acre Dunedin Ravine Nature Reserve is located along the northern flank of the Noisy River Valley, near the Dunedin Regional Earth Science ANSI, and provides habitat for Butternut trees, Shining-branch Hawthorn and Bobolink, all of which are Species at Risk. The property is also home to the Northern Flicker, a priority bird species in Environment Canada's Bird Conservation Strategy. Its preservation secures 1.2 km of the Bruce Trail's Optimum Route.
Location
The Dunedin Ravine Nature Reserve is located 15 minutes West of Creemore on Concession 10.
For more information: Bruce Trail Conservancy
Simcoe County is home to some of the most beautiful single track mountain biking, roadways and rail trial networks in North America. There are endless opportunities to cycle in Clearview and then connect to other communities in South Georgian Bay, and beyond!
Visit Cycle Simcoe and view the interactive maps and events calendar.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is a non-governmental, not for profit, private charitable organization that protects Canada’s important natural landscapes and the species they sustain. NCC manages the Creemore Nature Reserve to promote native biodiversity and maintains 5.5 km of trails for public use. Known locally as "the Mingay," after the family who originally owned and donated the land, the Creemore Nature Preserve is an important part of the community. Rich in human history, this area was long inhabited by both Indigenous peoples and more recent settlers.
NCC started working on the property in 1997, but the trails through the forest were already well-known to local nature-lovers. These designated trails travel over moderately hilly terrain through forest, wetlands and alongside a creek Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and respectful wildlife watching on designated trails are permitted. Pets must always remain on leash and pet waste must be packed out.For all other uses, more information or to make donations to help care for these trails and properties, please contact NCC by email or 1-877-231-3552.
Distance: 4.5 km
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. There are some steep inclines.
Location: 6th Concession from County Rd. 9. When approaching from the west, it is very sharp turn right onto 6th Concession. When approaching from the east, it is an angle turn left.
Duntroon Highlands is open seven days a week May 1 – October 31 and weekends in winter. Six special trail tours are scheduled for the fall, including Waterfall Trail & Cider Sipping Tours on Saturdays and Escarpment Trail & Lunch Tours on Sundays.
Explore a range of trails nestled on one of the highest points of the escarpment. The trails offer breathtaking views, the sound of babbling brooks and meandering forest paths.
Epic Snowshoeing at Duntroon Highlands Golf, with gently rolling trails and breathtaking views. Nestled high up on the Niagara Escarpment, we offer 15km of marked trails that wind through wide open spaces and hardwood forests
Learn more: www.duntroongolf.ca