Grey and Bruce counties offer an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities. Our region offers many trails for any kind of outdoor activity you can think of: everything from hiking and cross-country skiing to horseback riding and snowmobiling. 

Here are just a few of our favourites!

Horseback riding

Glendale Farms Riding Ranch is located just outside Owen Sound in Benallen. This small, unique riding ranch offers a riding program, more than 35 well-schooled horses and ponies, 2000 acres of groomed trails, two outdoor grass riding rings, and a newly built bright indoor Coverall riding ring. Glendale Farms caters to all levels of rider.

Hollow Hills Equestrian Centre, located north of Hepworth, offers riding lessons, horse camps, equipment rental, a heated tack room, a laundry room, and a viewing room.

Windsong Ranch, located southeast of Owen Sound on Grey Road 29, welcomes horse enthusiasts of all ages. Riders can enjoy rolling hills and winding forest trails on your own horse or their experienced horses. They take groups of up to 10 people, and beginners are always welcome. They offer trail riding, horse leasing, basic and beginner’s lessons for trail riding, driving lessons, English & Western coaching/lessons, boarding, transportation, and more. 

The Bridal Path Equestrian Centre, just south of Wiarton, offers riding lessons and camps, equine exposure, schooling shows, indoor boarding, and horse training.

Want to learn more about horseback riding? Read my blog posts, 10 Tips for Horse Trail Riding and 10 Tips for Horse Care. Visit Grey County’s horseback riding page for more trail information.

Hiking the Bruce Trail

The Bruce Trail is Canada’s longest marked footpath, running 900 km along the Niagara Escarpment from Niagara Falls to Tobermory at the top of the Bruce Peninsula. 

The trail passes through some of the larger towns in our region (Owen Sound, Wiarton, Lion’s Head, and Tobermory) and takes hikers past many impressive waterfalls. 

Just south of Owen Sound, Inglis Falls rises high above the Sydenham River and is a popular destination to start hiking on the many trails accessible from the parking lot right next to the falls.

Near Wiarton, Skinner’s Bluff and the caves and trails at the Bruce’s Caves Conservation Area are local gems.

Want more information? The Bruce Trail Conservancy offers both a print and digital version of Bruce Trail Reference Maps & Trail Guide.

Mountain biking

Bruce County is proud to be home to some of the best mountain biking trails in Ontario. Get ready for great riding at their four locations: 

The mountain bike adventure park (Albermarle Tract) in Wiarton has approximately 20 km of trail with rock and technical riding. One special feature is the pump track, a continuous loop of packed dirt that can be ridden without pedalling using a series of rollers and berms, allowing riders to gain momentum and reach high speeds.

The Brant Tract in Paisley contains some spectacular single-track trails built using only hand tools. There is approximately 20 km of trail ranging from easy to difficult, and all trail intersections are marked.

The Carrick Tract in Mildmay is the best single-track in Bruce County. The soil and gravel-based trails provide great riding conditions that are dry almost all season long. 

The Lindsay Tract at Miller Lake is the largest of the County forests with more than 8,000 acres. This diverse property contains sensitive habitat for the black bear and Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake. Construction on the mountain bike trails began in May of 2008, and new trails continue to be built.

Where can I find more information about trails in Grey & Bruce?

TrailForks lists trails for mountain biking, e-biking, hiking, trail running, horseback riding, observed time trials, ATV/ORV/OHVing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and skiing (downhill, backcountry, and nordic).

Grey County lists cycling routes and businesses and hiking routes and businesses.

Bruce County lists trails and routes for mountain biking, ATVing, hiking, canoeing/kayaking, horseback riding, winter, cycling, and community trails.

Grey Highlands lists hiking trails on their website.

Explore the Bruce lists hiking, mountain biking, and caving trails in Bruce County.