A Bruce Trail Legend
Spirit Rock
Legend has it that an Indian maiden fell in love with a chief from an enemy tribe, and her family turned against her. In despair, she threw herself over the cliff.
Today, when the lighting and angles are just right, the face of the maiden can supposedly be seen in the cliffs from below.
Hiking
The Spirit Rock Outpost & Lodge is located on the Bruce Trail, a network of trails with over 1000 km of beautiful scenery along the Niagara Escarpment between Tobermory and Niagara Falls. The Spirit Rock Lookout and The Corran are located on a 5.6 km loop trail that descends the escarpment via a spiral staircase where you can hike along the water to Bluewater Park.
Wiarton is also home to Bruce’s Caves, a unique series of caves along the escarpment formed by post glacial Lake Algonquin 7000-8000 years ago. Enjoy this landmark, just a short drive from the Spirit Rock, alone or combine it into a full day of adventure as you explore Skinners Bluff and hike the 11 km back to the caves.
Rural Rocks, just 2 km West of the Spirit Rock, is a rugged rocky trail exploring in-land Bruce Peninsula along with its Maple-Birch-Balsam forest and local fauna.
To the North you will find the beautiful Cape Croker Reserve with a series of three side trails. Here you can get a view from the top hiking along Malcolms Bluff, Jones Bluff, and/or Sydney Bluff.
For more information about other hikes in and around the area see The Spirit Rock Outpost for Bruce Trail maps, guides and goods.
Paddling
Rent a kayak or paddle board to see our best side (from the water). Rentals are available hourly in Bluewater Park. Now you can paddle along the escarpment taking in the shoreline of Georgian Bay.
See the Outpost for advice of where you can find access to the multiple in-land lakes and river systems along the Peninsula and don’t forget your fishing pole!
Fishing
Whether you are looking for a quiet inland lake, to cast from the riverbank or dock or to get out into the deep blue waters of Georgian Bay this is the place for you to bring your rod. What can you catch? We have salmon, rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, lake trout, large and small mouth bass, northern pike, perch, and pan fish.
Need a rod? Get one from our Outpost..Live Bait? We have that too. From spring time spawn to ice hut huddles The Spirit Rock can send you in the right direction.
Snowmobiling
Over 2,000 kms of Beautiful Groomed Trails!
Nestled adjacent to Lake Huron, Bruce County is home to record-breaking lake effect snowfalls throughout the winter, over 2000km of beautifully groomed trail, and your choice of snowmobile-friendly places to eat, sleep and fuel up.
Combine all of that with the diversity of scenery from the Niagara escarpment, to rolling farmland, to majestic bush trails and you will definitely want to make Bruce County part of your sledding experience!
When the harvest is complete and a rich full blanket of snow has draped Bruce County in frosty splendour, follow the Saugeen River Trail inland through charming trails meandering through woodland and fields. Stop in at clubhouses along the way, including Southampton, Bervie, and Greenock. They are great places to warm up and meet new sledding friends!
Cross-Country Skiing
A mecca for cross-country skiing!
There is nothing quite like cross country skiing; sliding through the tress silently, with snow falling off the overhead branches is an amazing way to get some exercise. Being out in the woods in the winter is a special experience in itself; it’s beautiful and peaceful out there. And not to sound too cheesy about it, but it’s good for the soul.
The area’s various ski clubs offer multi-level trail networks, many of which are groomed. Town rail trails are also available for ski use with well-marked routes for backcountry exploration.
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Hiking
- The Bruce Trail
- Snowshoeing
- Snowmobiling
- Cross Country Skiing
- Sleigh Rides
- Sauble Beach
- Canoeing/Kayaking
- Kite Boarding/Surfing
- Bike Trails
- Boat Tours
- Camping
- Geo Caching
- Bird Watching
- Golf
- Scuba Diving
- Horseback Riding
- Lighthouse Tours
- Museums
- Mini-golf / Amusements
- Sauble Speedway
Explore the Bruce
The explorer's natural playground
For more ideas of what to do on the Bruce Peninsula visit “Explore the Bruce” website.