Backpack to Cyprus Lake on the Bruce Peninsula

The Bruce Trail is a 885 km hiking trail along the Niagara Escarpment in southern and central Ontario from Niagara Falls to Tobermory. Bruce Peninsula National Park is by far the most challenging and beautiful part of the trail. This is a perfect multi-day hike that stops at two well-maintained backcountry campgrounds and finishes in a vehicle-accessible campground with multiple scenic day hikes to end your trip.

Your first step is to go to Bruce Peninsula in the Parks Canada Reservation Service. You'll need to do two separate reservations—one for 'backcountry camping' to access the sites along the coast and one for 'frontcountry camping' for Cyprus Lake Campground. Reserve a backcountry site at both High Dump and Storm Haven (each campground has nine wood tent platforms, a composting toilet and a bear hang cable), which you can specify via the map on the reservation site; as well as a night or two at Cyprus Lake Campground.

Your second step is to reach out to B&Bs in Tobermory to find someone to shuttle you from Cyprus Lake (where you'll leave your car) to Crane Lake Parking Area. I did this hike so long ago I can't remember who to recommend, but I do know it was a B&B. Make sure you specify how many hikers and how much baggage.

DAY 1: CRANE LAKE TO HIGH DUMP
Once you're on the trail it's a simple 8 km hike out to High Dump. This part of the route follows the edges of a few inland lakes, requiring you to ford a few small creeks. Watch for loons and beavers and enjoy the forest.

DAY 2: HIGH DUMP TO STORMHAVEN
Your second day will be a more challenging 9.5 km to Stormhaven. The trail itself is easy to follow, well-marked even on the barren rock of the overhanging cliffs. It's relatively challenging, however, because it has a lot of ascending and descending as it follows the topography of the rough coastline. You'll be treated to incredible views of Georgian Bay, making for beautiful spots to take a break.

DAY 3: STORMHAVEN TO CYPRUS LAKE
All that is left is an easy 3.4 km to Cyprus Lake. I recommend getting to your site, setting up camp and then heading out for the afternoon on Marr Lake Trail to Overhanging Point and the Grotto. The Grotto is a popular destination, so consider staying until sunset to see if you can avoid the crowds a bit (although midday if you're planning on swimming). Enjoy the campfire at Cyprus Lake and soak in the joy of finishing a great three-day trek in the wild.

If you have some time left the peninsula, I recommend bouldering at Halfway Log Dump or swimming at Singing Sands. Head up to Tobermory if you want to see any of the islands in Fathom Five National Marine Park.