How to Hike Hockley Valley’s Stunning Isabel East Side Trail

Growing up in Orangeville, Ontario, I was lucky to have quick and easy access to the many fantastic hiking trails throughout the Hills of the Headwaters. And while there are many trails I find myself hiking often, perhaps my most visited is the Isabel East Side Trail within Hockley Valley Provincial Park.

Let’s explore what makes this trail so special and why you should visit as soon as possible.

Why Visit Isabel East Side Trail?

The variety of hiking trails in and around Hockley Valley Provincial Park is immense, so why go to the Isabel East Side Trail specifically? What makes it stand out amongst all the other trails?

Let’s break it down.

The Easy Access

It’s not the most compelling reason, but it is the most practical.

For all of us who are busy, an accessible trail system is an easy go-to that lets you get to and from your hike on short notice.

Isabel East Side Trail is located no more than 10 minutes outside of Orangeville, Ontario, making it an easy destination for anyone coming from town.

It’s also a mere 2-minute drive from Hockley Valley Resort, making it an accessible destination for anyone visiting the resort, Adamo Estate Winery, or other attractions nearby like Hockley Village or Island Lake.

Additionally, there is a dedicated parking lot on 3rd Line plus ample space along the shoulders of the road, meaning besides the busiest days of the year (i.e. Victoria Day Weekend, Canada Day Weekend, Labour Day Weekend, etc.), you don’t have to worry about finding a spot.

Here’s the location of the parking lot for anyone looking to make their first trip to Isabel East Side Trail!

If there is a lack of parking at this location, there are several other entrances, namely those on Hockley Valley Road and Dunby Road.

Here is the location of those two entrances!

Kind of boring, I know, but being so close to Orangeville, being so close to many attractions I enjoy visiting and having several entrances to park at are all huge contributors to why I visit the Isabel East Side Trail so often.

Alright, onto the next!

The Variety of Landscapes

A highlight of this hike is the various landscapes and topography you venture through in such a short period.

It truly is a unique experience, especially when looking at other hikes nearby and their more one-dimensional nature.

You begin in planted pine forests surrounded by orange pine straw strewn about the forest floor. 

Then, you venture into a serene meadow, waist-deep in flowering wildflowers and tunnelling through red-capped Sumacs (unless it’s winter, of course).

Next, you dive into the forest’s darkness, scrambling down to the valley floor carved out by the rivers winding their way through Hockley Valley.

Finally, you ride the rollercoaster of hills left over from the ice age, working your way through the old-growth forests, appreciating the openness of the ancient trees shading the underbrush and choking out the shrubs so commonly found in younger areas.

This unique experience of venturing through such a variety of landscapes in a short amount of time, roughly one hour, is unique and something you shouldn’t miss!

Here’s an overview of the Isabel East Side Trail from Trailforks showcasing just how much the topography of the trail changes (note: ignore the direction shown – it’s a two-way trail – this is simply the most common direction it’s hiked in)!

The Additional Hiking Trails

As mentioned, the Isabel East Side Trail is part of the much larger Hockley Valley Provincial Park, which is full of other great hiking trails.

The ability to link to other trails and continue your hike is excellent, especially when you want to make a day out of your trip and extend beyond a short 1-1.5 hour hike.

From the Isabel East Side Trail, you can link to a multitude of other great trails in the immediate area, including the:

Glen Cross Side Trail

Tom East Side Trail

Cam Snell Side Trail

Each is a great trail in its own right and very much worth checking out (PS, the Cam Snell Side Trail is my next favourite in this bunch!).

Another thing to note is that all these side trails are loops, not out and backs. The ability to loop is a huge plus as I don’t enjoy out and backs since you’re halving the number of exciting trails you could be hiking and are usually quite far from where you started when turning around.

You’re always close to where you started by having all these trails as loops. Yet, you get to hike kilometres and kilometres of new and interesting trails throughout the day.

Unless you’re on a destination hike, meaning your goal is to start the day at point A and end the day at point B, looped side trails that are close together, linkable, and accessible from one starting point are, in my opinion, ideal.

This combination of side trails weaving their way through Hockley Valley Provincial Park should be at the top of the hiking list for anyone looking to dedicate an entire day to a hike!

PS! Another excellent hiking area that’s close by is Mono Cliffs Provincial Park. You can read my post, “Mono Cliffs Provincial Park: The Ultimate Hiking Guide,” to learn everything you need to know.

The Nearby Apres

Apres may be obvious based on my previous comments about access. But, being so close to many attractions and Orangeville means the mandatory after-hike beer is easy to get to and quickly drinkable.

All kidding aside, it’s great to jump in your car and be on a patio within 10 minutes, enjoying some drinks and great food.

For anyone looking to stop somewhere after their hike, some favourites of mine are:

• Mono Cliffs Inn
• Black Birch Restaurant
• Hockley General Store

And while I only frequent them occasionally (usually due to being underdressed, sweaty, and gross following a hike), Adamo Estate Winery and Hockley Valley Resort are two other great options for those who may want a higher-end experience.

If you happen to stop by any of these restaurants, let me know in the comments below how you enjoyed it!

Bonus: Spawning Season

This can’t be a primary reason for why you should hike the Isabel East Side Trail, but if you happen to be in the area between early September and late October, it’s certainly the #1 reason you should visit this hike.

For those unaware, Salmon spawn from the Great Lakes every fall, swimming upstream to lay their eggs in the gentle waters of the rivers that feed the region’s mighty lakes.

This spawning generally occurs between early September and late October when the temperatures are between 3 and 18 degrees Celsius.

It’s an incredible experience as you watch these powerful fish effortlessly swim their way against the current, returning to the very place their mother laid their egg.

For any nature lover like myself, it’s a special moment, and I often spend an hour or more sitting and watching the fish as they come by.

So, whether you’re in the area during the fall or want to make a trip out of it, watching the Salmon spawn is a huge highlight of this hike. Everyone should experience it at least once.

Disclaimer! – The fish aren’t always there. There is no guarantee that just because you’re there between early September and late October when the temperatures are between 3 and 18 degrees Celsius, so will the Salmon. I’ve gone plenty of times and been disappointed not to see any fish. Just a heads up!

My Recommended Route

Visiting a trail system for the first time can often be overwhelming and disorienting.

And while apps like Trailforks are hugely beneficial in seeing the hiking trails available, there are better options for outlining the optimal access point and directions.

So, to help anyone visiting for the first time, here is my recommended route through the Isabel East Side Trail.

 If Trailforks is downloaded on your phone, click this link to follow my route. If you don’t have Trailforks downloaded, you can find download links for iOS and Android here.

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Trailforks

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.

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Starting Point

As mentioned earlier, three main parking lots provide access to the Isabel East Side Trail.

My recommended parking would be at the 3rd Line parking lot highlighted above.

This lot provides the most direct access to the Isabel East Side Trail and allows for a nearly perfect loop with next to no doubling back.

My Final Thoughts

Overall, the Isabel East Side Trail is an excellent option for anyone in or visiting the Orangeville area looking for a vast variety of terrain packed into a relatively short 1-1.5 hour hike.

On top of that, it’s easily accessible and close to many other entertaining attractions you can visit before or after your hike.

Whether you are an avid hiker or simply looking to get into the forest for an hour or two, I recommend checking out the Isabel East Side Trail and, if you have time, the variety of other trails spread throughout the spectacular Hockley Valley Provincial Park!

– Garrett

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