Splitrock Narrows will come to life on Oct. 4, as the Dufferin HiLand Bruce Trail Club hosts a community celebration for Bruce Trail Day. This will be a celebration that has something for everyone.
As you hike the trail, you will be entertained with live performances from local musicians. There will be lots of activities for families including a children’s craft station and a music circle (complete with rhythm instruments). This will also be an opportunity to learn more about the Bruce Trail Conservancy’s nature stewardship with hands-on demos that shine a spotlight on our critical seed orchard and the newly- founded iNaturalist project.
The walking path through Splitrock Narrows is wonderfully varied, beginning with sweeping lookouts that open onto dramatic views of the Dufferin hills. As you continue walking, the trail winds deeper into the forest, descending through rugged rock formations and deep crevices shaped long ago by ancient glaciers. Be sure to look closely at the rock walls as you pass by to get a glimpse of the region’s geological history.
During the community celebration, you’ll be accompanied on your walk by an outstanding line-up of local musical talent. The Guelph Celtic Orchestra will fill the air with soaring melodies, Richie C and the Great Band will bring their signature reggae-infused energy, Woody Woodburn will add his warm acoustic sound, and the Breakeven Boys will round out the day with lively, crowd-pleasing tunes.
This event is designed for all ages, with plenty to delight young hikers. Children can grab a rhythm instrument and join a kid’s music circle, create their own keepsake at the button-making craft station, and enjoy the festive atmosphere. A free barbecue will be available for everyone, offering a chance to relax, refuel, and enjoy the community spirit along the trail.
Discover how the Bruce Trail Conservancy is fighting invasive species with our dedicated seed orchard – a garden designed specifically for collecting and regenerating seeds from native plants. Learn how this project supports long-term restoration efforts across Dufferin County. If you want to explore the Bruce Trail’s conservancy efforts in more depth, you can join the guided biodiversity hike which will leave from the Splitrock Narrows parking lot at 10:30 a.m.
Bruce Trail Conservancy volunteers have logged over 15,000 observations and identified more than 1,800 species along the trail using the iNaturalist app – a powerful tool for tracking biodiversity and spotting invasive species. iNaturalist director Rod Murray will be on site at Splitrock Narrows throughout the day to demo the iNaturalist app and share insights from this exciting project.
Festivities will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4. Registration is not required and everything is free. There will be plenty of free parking, 755437 2nd Line EHS, Mono. Visit dufferinbrucetrailclub.org.
