Hockley Valley Provincial Park offers some of the best scenery and most enjoyable hiking in Southern Ontario.
From sprawling, mature forests to vast ridgeline vistas overlooking the surrounding landscape, Hockley Valley provides a memorable day of hiking that’s a step above most destinations.
So, let’s look closer at Hockley Valley Provincial Park and how best to spend a day hiking through its beautiful terrain.
Planning Your Trip to Hockley Valley Provincial Park
Before we take a closer look at Hockley Valley’s hiking trails, let’s first discuss what you need to know before you make your way to Hockley Valley Provincial Park.
Parking at Hockley Valley Provincial Park
The primary parking lot for Hockley Valley Provincial Park is located on Hockley Valley Road, roughly 5 kilometres east of Highway 10. It is a large gravel parking lot with plenty of space for vehicles.
That said, parking is free, and as such the lot can fill up quite quickly. Parking on the shoulder of Hockley Valley Road is not allowed, and you will be ticketed/towed if you try to park there, so I strongly recommend you don’t if the parking lot is full.
Instead, I’d recommend trying to park at the Glen Cross Side Trail entrance or Dunby Road entrance. Both provide access to Hockley Valley Provincial Park but are much quieter and usually have spaces open if the primary lot is full.
Facilities at Hockley Valley Provincial Park
Hockley Valley Provincial Park does not offer any facilities.
This means there are no washrooms available. As such, if you have to use the bathroom on your way out to the trails, you’ll have to stop somewhere, like this Tim Horton’s or the Hockley General Store.
Unlike other parks or conservation designed for picnicking, barbequing, and full day-use, such as Albion Hills Conservation Park or Belfountain Conservation Area, Hockley Valley is strictly focused on hiking and not designed to be used for anything beyond that.
What to Bring to Hockley Valley Provincial Park
Hockley Valley Provincial Park is relatively rural and, as mentioned, has no facilities.
As such, there are some items you’ll want to bring to make your hike and trip more enjoyable. These include:
- Hiking Shoes/Boots: Several trails in Hockley Valley are loose, rooty, and steep. A good pair of hiking shoes/boots will help keep your feet comfortable and provide good ankle support.
- Water: Bring lots of water, especially on hot summer days. There’s no access to drinking water anywhere in the park, so you’ll be relying on the amount you bring with you.
- Snacks: With all hiking options pushing 1.5+ hours and many well beyond that, bringing a few snacks is a good idea. That said, make sure you pack out whatever you bring in.
- Sunscreen: Some sections of trails are wide open and exposed to the sun, so make sure you put some sunscreen on before starting your hike.
- Bug spray: The bugs can be pretty bad, especially in the damper and more densely forested areas of the park. Bug spray will help keep those pesky mosquitos and black flies away!
Besides these essentials, consider wearing a hat and/or sunglasses and bringing hiking poles if you struggle with more technical and steep terrain. If you want to bring a young child, consider using a child carrier, as the trails are inaccessible by stroller.
Bring some or all of the above, and you’ll be well on your way to a great hike!
What Not to Bring to Hockley Valley Provincial Park
As mentioned, Hockley Valley Provincial Park is for hiking only and does not offer picnicking, barbecuing, or any other event space.
As such, you shouldn’t bring any items meant for large-scale meals, all-day gatherings, or anything of that nature. Keep it to what you can fit in a backpack and nothing more.
Alcohol is also strictly prohibited within the park, so don’t plan on bringing in any beverages. Additionally, all dogs must be leashed, so please bring one with you if you plan on hiking with your dog.
Aside from that, you’re good to bring whatever you’d like! Just ensure you don’t leave any litter in the park, stick to the designated trails, and do your part to keep our provincial parks beautiful.
The Trails at Hockley Valley Provincial Park
You’re ready to go for a hike at Hockley Valley. Great!
Let’s take a closer look at Hockley Valley Provincial Park’s hiking trails so you can get a better idea of what to expect.
Hockley Valley Provincial Park Trail Map
Looking at the trail map is an excellent place to start whenever hiking a new location.
A large map is available at the parking lot, letting you look at everything to come. However, if you’d like to have access to the map throughout your hike, there are two different options for you.
- Take a photo of the trail map on your phone before you leave the parking lot so you can access it while on the trails.
- You can use Trailforks, a fantastic app that will allow you to see every trail within Hockley Valley Provincial Park and their unique stats, like distance, elevation, and the average time it takes to hike the trail. Take a look!
I highly recommend downloading Trailforks and using it during hikes at new and unfamiliar trail systems. Even with great signage, which direction or trail to turn onto next isn’t always clear. Having Trailforks, especially if you’re following a predefined route, that problem disappears, and you’ll quickly know where to go during your hike.
If you don’t have Trailforks downloaded, you can find download links for iOS and Android here.
The Best Hockley Valley Provincial Park Hiking Trails
Now that you’ve looked at the trail map let’s discuss the five main hiking trails within the park!
Bruce Trail marker. Follow the white blazes to stay on the trail. Bruce Trail entrance from Hockley Valley Road. A unique bolder ~100 metres from Hockley Valley Road. Wooden bridge crossing the Nottawasaga River (or a tributary of it, at least). Looking west from the bridge. Steep, rooty climb out of the river valley. The top of the steep climb. 
Head south to Hockley Road, or continue north to Dunby Road. Thriving, mature deciduous forest. How did that get here?!
Bruce Trail
The Bruce Trail is the main trunk through Hockley Valley Provincial Park and will be the first trail you get to when leaving the parking lot. At 6.5 kilometres, the trail’s terrain is quite varied and includes everything from rolling meadows overlooking the surrounding area to expansive, thriving woods full of fast-flowing streams at the valley’s bottom. While it’s an incredible hike in and of itself, you’ll more likely be jumping on and off it as you go from one side trail to the next (see my recommended routes below to get an idea of what I’m talking about). That said, this differs from your typical connector trail, with every section being uniquely beautiful and highly engaging!
Tom East Side Trail
After hiking the first 170 metres on the Bruce Trail, you’ll come across Tom East Side Trail on the right side of the fork. Tom East is the trail I primarily use to enter the park. It begins with a wide, rolling doubletrack section through lush forest before tightening down to singletrack that traverses a sharp ridgeline down into the heart of Hockley Valley Provincial Park. It’s a great warm-up to your hike and a nice introduction to what’s to come!
The entrance sign to Glen Cross Side Trail at its intersection with Isabel East Side Trail. Cutting through dense, Sumach undergrowth before entering the Park’s more mature deciduous forests. The primary river crossing on Glen Cross Side Trail. Gnarled roots start a steep climb out of the valley’s depths.
Glen Cross Side Trail
The Glen Cross Side Trail connects with the Isabel East Side Trail, forming a 3.1-kilometre crescent connecting the Bruce Trail. I typically hike Glen Cross Side Trail from west to east. The trail trends mostly downhill when hiking in this direction, with a mix of steep, straight descents, gradual ridgeline traverses, and abrupt switchbacks. It’s a great section of trail and one of the few areas of the park where the elevation change is more gradual than sharp.
The entrance sign to Isabel East Side Trail at its intersection with the Bruce Trail. Isabel East’s meadow is my favourite location in the park, especially during the fall. Bee busy at work pollinating the Purple Asters. A Solider Beetle also helping out. More Purple Asters, cause, you know…they’re pretty. The eastern side of Isabel East Side Trail is quite sandy and works its way through younger pine forest.
Isabel East Side Trail
After finishing Glen Cross Side Trail (when hiking west to east), you’ll come across Isabel East Side Trail. Isabel East is, by far, my favourite hiking trail within Hockley Valley Provincial Park. The trail begins with a steep climb and descent through a pine forest before entering a sumach-filled meadow. After that, you work your way into the dense, lush forest, crossing streams and walking alongside a branch of the Nottawasaga River. After that, you climb out of the valley bottom through some of the park’s best, most dynamic sections of trail. It’s the gem of Hockley Valley and a can’t-miss trail.
Cam Snell Side Trail
Finally, towards the north end of Hockley Valley Provincial Park is Cam Snell Side Trail. I typically hike the trail from north to south. The first half of the trail works its way through a mix of meadow and scrub brush before exiting to a large pond. After that, you dive into the valley alongside a cascading stream, which is perhaps the most picturesque area in the Provincial Park. From there, you cross the stream (while taking in your incredible surroundings, of course) and hike a short distance up the other side of the valley before reconnecting with the Bruce Trail!
Recommended Routes Through Hockley Valley Provincial Park
Knowing what trails are best is great, but learning how to link them up is sometimes difficult. So, here are my recommended routes through Hockley Valley Provincial Provincial Park!
Route 1 – 5.6 km – Easy
This route combines the Tom East Side Trail with a portion of the Bruce Trail to create the shortest and easiest hike through Hockley Valley Provincial Park (it should take roughly 1-1.5 hours to hike).
This route is ideal if you’re hiking with young kids, older individuals, are crunched for time, or simply want a more laid-back option. You still get to see the mature forests and incredible vistas, meaning you’re not missing out on much if you choose this shorter option.
Route 2 – 11.1 km – Intermediate
Route 2 adds the beautiful Glen Cross Side Trail and Isabel East Side Trail to Route 1 (it should take roughly 2.5-3 hours to hike).
The difficulty level increases with this route thanks to the steep hills on the two side trails and the added distance/elevation. That said, you’re rewarded with beautiful streams, open meadows, and a diversity terrain not found on Route 1.
This is my go-to route in Hockley Valley Provincial Park and what I recommend to anyone visiting the park for the first time.
Route 3 – 14 km – Intermediate
Route 3 adds the Cam Snell Side Trail to Route 2 (it should take roughly 3.5-4 hours to hike).
This is the ideal route if you want to boost the distance of Route 2 while adding in the best stream-side trail in the entire park. Cam Snell’s location on top of the valley also provides some different terrain to that of Route 1 and Route 2, which creates some added interest. Route 3 is also ideal for those hiking with dogs, as there’s a large pond that’s great for cooling off.
Route 4 – 17.7 km – Challenging
Route 4 adds a nearly 4-kilometre out-and-back on the Bruce Trail to Route 3 (it should take roughly 4.5-5 hours to hike).
This is the ideal route if you want to see everything Hockley Valley has to offer while also hiking the entire length of the park’s Bruce Trail section. It’ll also take you to the highest point in the park, providing a great view of the nearby ski hills at Hockley Valley Resort.
If you’re committed to hiking Route 3 and have an extra hour to spare, add these 3.7 kilometres and see the entirety of the park!
Other Attractions Around Hockley Valley Provincial Park
Hockley Valley Provincial Park isn’t the only attraction in the area! In fact, there are several other things you should check out while you’re there.
Let’s take a look.
Black Birch Restaurant
Directly across the road from Hockley Valley Provincial Park is the Black Birch Restaurant. The food is tasty, the staff is friendly, and there’s a patio and plenty of beverage options for a post-hike drink.
So, stop by if you’re looking for good food and refreshing drinks!
Hockley Valley Resort
Hockley Valley Resort is directly across from Hockley Valley Provincial Park and is an excellent accommodation option if you’re looking to turn your day trip into a weekend getaway.
They also have a variety of restaurants, a spa, a golf course, a pool, and a variety of other amenities that can keep you busy or relaxed while you’re not out hiking.
If spas and golf aren’t your thing, don’t worry; plenty of other hiking trails are accessible right from the hotel’s front entrance, including the Bruce Trail – Hockley section. Additionally, Hockley Valley Resort has recently introduced mountain biking with their “BikeTrails@Hockley“, providing another fun activity to try out if you stay there.
Adamo Estate Winery
Just south of Hockley Valley Resort is Adamo Estate Winery. The winery is a perfect place to unwind and relax, offering a great ambience, quality food, and a wide variety of wines.
The general aesthetic is higher-end, so if you plan on visiting, I recommend doing so before your hike or booking accommodations and visiting after you’ve showered and changed.
Mono Cliffs Provincial Park
Mono Cliffs Provincial Park is another gem of Southern Ontario, with incredibly unique features, including 100′ tall cliffs and boardwalks through deep, exposed caverns.
It’s only 12 minutes north of Hockley Valley Provincial Park, making it easy to access if you want to extend your day of hiking or make a weekend out of hiking in several different locations.
Parking is not free at Mono Cliffs. Ontario Parks recommends you purchase a daily permit in advance to guarantee your spot (it can become very busy, especially on weekends and during the fall). You can reserve your daily permit by visiting the Ontario Parks Reservation page.
My Final Thoughts About Hockley Valley Provincial Park
Hockley Valley Provincial Park has always held a special place in my heart. While nearby hiking is abundant, Hockley Valley is my most frequented location. The terrain is diverse, the natural beauty is unbeatable, the hiking is extensive, and numerous side trail options make it easy to change things up and see different parts of the park.
These attributes, combined with the park being solely designed for hiking, result in a calm, enjoyable environment where time slows down, and you can take in the wonders of nature that surround you – something anyone can appreciate!
For these reasons, Hockley Valley Provincial Park is a must-visit for all hikers and should shoot to the top of your “places I want to hike” list if you’ve never been before.
– Garrett
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Hiking trails are moderately challenging, keeping things interesting and engaging while still being accessible.
- Looping side trails offer lots of variety, letting you easily lengthen your hike if desired .
- Very diverse terrain with a mix of woodland, meadows, streams and ponds throughout.
- Lots of vistas that provide unique lookouts over the surrounding valley.
- Forests are primarily mature, providing long, uninterrupted views across the landscape.
- Natural beauty is endless: trilliums, mushrooms, wildflowers, moss, birds, butterflies, tree frogs, salmon, trout, and so much more.
Cons
- Can be very busy, especially on weekends and during the fall.
- Limited parking.
Stats
Total Trails: 5
Total Distance: 14.2 KM
Highest Point: 433 M or 1,420ft (Bruce Trail)
Lowest Point: 320M or 1,050ft (Isabel East Side Trail)
Max Vertical: 113M or 371ft
Trail Difficulties: Green (Easy)
Trail Direction: Two-Way
Trail Usage: Hiking
Frequently Asked Questions
Hockley Valley Provincial Park is free to visit. There is no entrance fee, and you do not have to pay for parking.
The longest trail in Hockley Valley Provincial Park is the Bruce Trail. It is 6.5 kilometres long and takes approximately 1 hour to hike.
The Bruce Trail has the most elevation gain in Hockley Valley Provincial Park, with 200 metres or 656 feet.
The shortest loop at Hockley Valley Provincial Park is 5 kilometres long. This will take you approximately 1.5 hours to hike. There are longer loops that are 10 to 15 kilometres long. These will take you about 4 to 6 hours to hike.
From the parking lot, you should take the Bruce Trail. The trail splits after 150 metres, with the Bruce Trail continuing to the left and the Tom East Side Trail continuing to the right. The trails form a loop, so you can take either one (I typically go right onto Tom East Side Trail).
No, the hiking trails at Hockley Valley Provincial Park are not stroller-friendly. Young children will have to be carried if they’re unable to walk. I highly recommend using a child carrier to help with this.
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