Exploring the Nature Trails at Bronte Creek Provincial Park

If you’re looking to get outside and do some walking then Bronte Creek Provincial Park in the western GTA (Greater Toronto Area) is a great option – particularly during our beautiful fall foliage season!

On our recent visit, my husband and I arrived mid-afternoon and parked in parking lot A where we were able to access the trail system. We stayed for just over two hours and walked two of the available trails – Ravine Trail and Half Moon Valley Trail – and had a look around Spruce Lane Farm to see the animals. In mid-October there were some leaves on the ground and some colour but still a lot of green especially on the maple trees.

About Bronte Creek Provincial Park

Established in 1975, Bronte Creek Provincial Park on the western edge of Oakville bordering Burlington (west of Toronto) is part of the Ontario Parks system. The 6.4 square kilometre park is open year-round with activities that include hiking, fishing and biking in the summer and tobogganing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. There are also multiple group picnic shelters and many picnic tables spread throughout the park making it the perfect place for a walk and a picnic.

There is also a campground available during the summer months, a farm with animals, a Victorian farmhouse and special events held throughout the year including the popular Maple Syrup Festival in March and Victorian Christmas in December

The Friends of Bronte Creek, founded in 1995, is a community based, non-profit charitable organisation comprised of volunteers dedicated to enhancing the natural, cultural and educational resources of Bronte Creek Provincial Park in Oakville. They are involved in a number of projects at the park and are a great source of additional information.

Read 10 of the Best Maple Syrup Festivals in the GTA

How to Get to Bronte Creek Provincial Park

Bronte Creek Provincial Park is located on the western edge of Oakville north of QEW/Highway 403 and west of Highway 25. From Exit 109, head north on Burloak Drive and the entrance to the park will be on your right. The main entrance for day use of the park is at 1219 Burloak Drive and is open year-round. There is a second entrance for the campground at 3201 Upper Middle Road which is open April/May to October only.

Planning a Vist to Bronte Creek

Entrance to the day use area of Bronte Creek Provincial Park is off Burloak Drive and there are three available parking lots in this area – Lot A, D or F. There are picnic shelters near all of these parking lots – Parking Lot F is the closest to Spruce Lane Farm.

Park hours vary by season. From mid-June to early Fall the park is open from 8 am – 10 pm. On the day that we visited the park was closing at 8 pm.

There is a vehicle permit fee but otherwise no admission fees – you can walk or bike into the park for free. The vehicle permit fee is $18, $14.50 for seniors and $9 for disabled individuals. Seasonal and Annual passes are also available.

Reservations are not required but at busy times of the year then you may want to book in advance to guarantee a spot. Weekends are far busier than weekdays. Daily vehicle permits become available (online on the Ontario Parks Reservations website or by telephone) at 7 am five days in advance of your arrival date. Reservations are required for picnic shelters.

Dogs are welcome but must be on leash with the exception of two designated trails were leash-free is allowed.

Tips for Hiking at Bronte Creek Provincial Park

• When hiking at Bronte Creek or anywhere else, arrive suitably prepared for spending time outdoors.
• Be sure to wear appropriate footwear as the trails may have obstacles such as rocks and tree roots and will be affected by recent and current weather conditions.
• Dress appropriate to the weather and pay attention to weather alerts or warnings.
• Know your capabilities, listen to your limits and, if you are uncertain about a trail, turn back.
• Beware of high cliffs and do not venture too close to the edge.
• Bring water with you. If you’re hiking with kids then you will definitely want to bring along snacks as well – even for a short hike.
• Stay on the marked trails at all times and do not cut new trails.
• Stick to the right side of the trail to allow other hikers, bikers, and runners to pass.
• Exercise caution on the trails (and supervise young children). Trails and boardwalks can be quite slippery when wet particularly when covered by fallen leaves.
• Do not harass or disturb wildlife.
• Stay out of tall grass and check yourself and your pet for ticks before you leave the park.
• The park is generally much quieter on weekdays than weekends.

Hiking Trails at Bronte Creek

The primary walking and hiking trails in the day use area of Bronte Creek Provincial Park are Maiden’s Blush Trail, Trillium Trail, Ravine Trail and Half Moon Valley Trail.

On our visit we started out from Parking Lot A and walked the Ravine Trail before heading to Spruce Lane Farm to have a look around. We then headed back and walked the Half Moon Valley Trail before doing the Ravine Trail in the reverse direction and heading back to the parking lot. All told we were just over two hours.

Ravine Trail

We started our afternoon at Bronte Creek by heading to the Ravine Trail which is a 2.7 kilometre trail that meanders along the top of the valley between Parking Lot A and Spruce Lane Farm.

This is a fairly easy trail to walk – mostly a flat, wide trail through a forested area with glimpses of colourful trees in the ravine alongside.

Half Moon Valley Trail

The 2 kilometre Half Moon Valley Trail runs through the forest as it winds down into the valley, through a small wetland and to the edge of Bronte Creek. It is slightly more difficult than the Ravine Trail as it descends into the valley so there is a staircase and some uphill climbing on the way back out. At the bottom of the valley you will have descended a total of 38 metres (125 feet).

Once at the creek you may fish (in season) for Rainbow Trout, splake, steelhead and Pacific Salmon. We aren’t fishermen but we did see a few on the day of our visit though it didn’t appear that they were having any success!

Additional Trails

We hadn’t planned to spend more than 2 hours at the park so decided we didn’t have time to walk the other trails. Additional trails at Bronte Creek Provincial Park include:

The Trillium Trail – Located behind the barns of Spruce Lane Farm, this 1 kilometre trail is wheelchair and stroller friendly. This trail is said to be the best place in the park to view spring wildflowers particularly trilliums.

The Maiden’s Blush Trail – Located north of the Children’s Playbarn this 1 kilometre trail is also wheelchair accessible. This is a paved trail that winds through mature forest and is suitable for walking, roller blading and cycling.

Spruce Lane Farm

Spruce Lane Farm and Farmhouse (located close to Parking Lot F in the day use area) showcases what life was like for early farmers in Ontario in the period around 1890-1905. It is a living history museum of sorts and there are often activities and demonstrations taking place here in the original buildings and in the farmyard. There are also a variety of animals kept on the farm that typically can be seen in the pastures or the barns.

The turn of the century Spruce Lane Farm House (built circa 1899) has been restored and fully furnished and decorated in late Victorian style as if it were the home of a local fruit farmer. Staff and volunteers in period attire bring the early 20th century history to life with demonstrations and activities.

School groups had departed for the day by the time we made our way to Spruce Lane Farm and the Farmhouse was closed but we were able to have a walk around to see the exterior of the buildings and some of the farmyard animals – cattle in the field and both sheep and pigs in the barns.

It seems the Farmhouse is open from 10 am – 4 pm but only during Special Events or Discovery Programs. It’s always best to check the Bronte Creed Provincial Park website or their social media accounts to confirm opening times.