Route: Hockley Valley Loop (ON, Canada)

The Hockley Valley Loop trail follows the main Bruce Trail and the Hockley Heights Side Trail to make a 24 km loop through the Hockley Valley that is 80-90% singletrack. Starting from the parking on 5th Line near Hockley Valley Road, the trail climbs up Sally's Pinnacle where it joins the main Bruce Trail, through the Hockley Valley ski area, and around the golf course. This section is all singletrack until it descends on 2nd Line (gravel road). The route crosses Hockley Valley Rd and heads North through the nature reserve on amazing trails. Take advantage of the river crossings here to cool down on a hot day and to fill up on water! At the northern rim of the valley the trail follows a rolling meadow until the Dunby Road trailhead.

From here, the trail follows Dunby Road and 3rd Line (both dirt roads) for a short time until it abruptly turns left to climb the escarpment edge. This section of trail is rough and overgrown. Near the top of the climb the route follows the Hockley Heights Side Trail to the right, back down the escarpment, and East along 15 Sideroad.

The route follows 15 Sideroad for about 2 km until it turns right into the Dufferin Forest tract. The blue blazes are few and far between on this section and all the cedars along the road are painted with blue dots that could be mistaken for blazes. Follow the sideroad until the obvious sign for the Dufferin Forest and don't take any of the driveways or animal trails into the forest before then.

The route follows the blue side trail blazes on singletrack through the forest with a handful of steep climbs and descents for a few kilometers until it ends at 5th Line (gravel road). From here it's downhill along 5th Line and across Hockley Valley Road to the starting point.

Strava segment:  https://www.strava.com/segments/15077579?filter=overall