Dufferin County Nature Trails
Welcome to Dufferin County!
Dufferin County is fortuitously positioned on the perimeter of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and within the Greater Golden Horseshoe whose population of 9.4 million is predicted to grow to 13.5 million by 2041.
The “Hills of Headwaters” region is the Ontario highland that is the source of five river systems. The County’s agriculture sector benefits from high-quality Class 1 soils that support cattle, dairy, hogs, sheep, horses, soybeans, winter wheat, corn, mixed farming and potatoes.
Though the County’s growing population and economy are challenging the capacity of many segments of the existing road systems, Canada’s principal airport is within 60 kilometers of Orangeville, and County residents, businesses and producers can access Ontario’s 400-series arteries via Highway 10. The Orangeville Brampton Railway – owned by the Town of Orangeville – serves manufacturers in Orangeville.
Dufferin County’s population reached 61,735 in 2016, with a rate of growth of 8.5% since the 2011 Census that is well ahead of the Provincial and national rates. Sixty percent of the population is in the urban centres of Orangeville (28,900) and Shelburne (8,126). Shelburne had the highest growth rate between 2011 and 2016 – 39% – among southern Ontario communities over 5,000 people. Dufferin County had 24,354 jobs in 2016, with relatively high job concentrations in agriculture, manufacturing and tourism-related sectors. Job growth in Dufferin County kept pace with the population growth from 2011 to 2016, though there is extensive commuting.
You will find some of the best hiking and nature trails in Ontario right here in Dufferin County.
For more information please visit: https://www.dufferincounty.ca/
BRUCE TRAIL
The Bruce Trail is a footpath that threads its way, from Queenston Heights in the south of Ontario to Tobermory, at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula to the north, along the Niagara Escarpment affording the user a variety of special interest side trails and spectacular...BRUCE TRAIL – CALEDON HILLS SECTION
The Caledon Hills Section is one of 9 sections of the Bruce Trail that threads its way, from Queenston Heights in the south of Ontario to Tobermory, at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula to the north, along the Niagara Escarpment affording the user a variety of special...BRUCE TRAIL – DUFFERIN HI-LAND SECTION
The Dufferin Hi-Land Section is one of 9 sections of the Bruce Trail that threads its way, from Queenston Heights in the south of Ontario to Tobermory, at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula to the north, along the Niagara Escarpment affording the user a variety of...FARQUHARSON NATURE RESERVE TRAIL
Farquharson Nature Reserve is a 103-acre reserve the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy received in 2007. Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy is a charitable land trust whose role is to help you conserve land. The Farquharson Nature Reserve Trail is within the...GLACIER VALLEY/HEMLOCK RIDGE SIDE TRAILS LOOP – BRUCE TRAIL
Start this loop trail at the parking lot on 5th Line EHS just south of Hockley Rd. The Hemlock Ridge Side trail will head east into the bush. Follow the blue blazes and you will meet the main Bruce Trail in .6 km. Turn left onto the white blazed main trail for .2 km...GLEN CROSS SIDE TRAIL LOOP – BRUCE TRAIL
From the parking lot on the east side of the 3rd Line EHS there is a trail starting on the west side of the road that will take you shortly to the intersection with the Glen Cross Side Trail. Turn left onto the side trail and follow the blue blazes for about 1.5 km...GRAND VALLEY TRAIL
The main Grand Valley Trail is a marked footpath stretching about 275 km between Port Maitland (42.866035,-79.565699) [near Rock Point Provincial Park] on Lake Erie, south of Dunnville to the town of Alton (43.860379,-80.068796), near Orangeville. A hiker can identify...ISLAND LAKE CONSERVATION AREA TRAILS
Vicki Barron Lakeside Trail Distance – 6.6 km loop The north and west shore trail portions of trail are accessible from Hockley Valley Road, just east of HWY 10 and is 6.6 km one way to the south shore entrance at HWY 10. At this time you must retrace your steps. A 12...KILGORIE SIDE TRAIL LOOP – BRUCE TRAIL
From your parked car on Centre Rd follow the white blazed main Bruce Trail west along River Rd for about 100 metres where the trail turns left into the bush. Do not turn left but stay straight ahead on the Kilgorie Side Trail. Follow this blue-blazed trail as it...