This FKT route was suggested to me as an end-of-year challenge that combined technical singletrack, road, and rail trail with some tricky navigation through a part of the Bruce Trail I had never explored. I didn’t anticipate snow, which added a new level of difficulty. I believe this record can easily be challenged in better conditions or by someone more familiar with the area. I carried spikes on my hydration vest but never used them, ran with five 500 ml flasks (electrolyte and water), took four gels, and wore winter gaiters to keep snow out of my shoes. Below is a breakdown of my attempt to help future attempts.
0 km → 6.8 km
I started at 10:42 a.m. on the east side of the 10th Street Bridge, close to the MS Chi-Cheemaun docked for winter. It felt like a good omen after two great family trips on the ferry. Blue skies appeared briefly, the only time all day, with a temperature of −2 °C. About 5 cm of fresh snow covered the trail from the previous day’s storm. The route leaves town on a paved path, turning to packed gravel around 2 km along the Georgian Bluffs Trail. The rail trail was untouched snow, every step felt like double effort, and I doubted my goal time. Once off the trail and onto Range Rd, Somers St, and 19th St W, the clear roads and light traffic let me make up time.
6.8 km → 8 km
My first taste of the Bruce. A steep 30 m rocky climb, likely the toughest of the route. I made a point to power hike it conservatively and not burn excess energy. After a left turn, I followed the white blazes toward Inglis Falls, hopping over 21 crevasses with snowy slippery footing. In dry conditions, this could be much faster without the constant risk of slipping into a gap. I stayed right on the edge of reasonable risk here.
8 km → 10.5 km
After a quick stretch on West St, I was back on singletrack. This section began runnable, with rolling ups and downs, then turned into rocky terrain and boulder gardens near Jones Falls. Staying on course required focus since there were many side trails marked with blue blazes. Once across the arched metal bridge, I picked up speed, crossed the busiest road of the course, and re-entered the woods along the south cliff line.
10.5 km → 16 km
Probably my favourite stretch. After a short ladder climb, I skirted the edge of a farmer’s field for about 500 m, then twisted through rocky forest and short climbs up to the escarpment top. The terrain opened up and I tried to push the pace. Knowing this section’s navigation can be confusing, I scouted it the day before. The rule to stay on course here: always follow the white blazes, not the red or yellow.
16 km → 18 km
Classic Bruce Trail terrain, what goes up must come down and then back up again. I enjoyed a fast descent along Concession 3 Derby, then a short run down Grey Rd 5. To find the next trail entrance, I used a landmark I had checked on Google Street View. The hydro wires crossing the road mark the exact spot.
18 km → 22 km
My second-favourite section. Rolling escarpment terrain slowed the pace before a final climb through a short but chaotic boulder maze up to Inglis Falls. I took a quick evidence selfie at the top, crossed the bridge, and joined the Pine Loop Trail, saying goodbye to the white blazes. This trail was wet, but flowed fast and smooth. I popped out at Highway 6/10, followed the blue blazes south to a cut, and joined the CP Rail Trail.
22 km → 34 km
This was meant to be my fast finish, but the rail trail fought back. Deep snow drifts and a strong headwind made every step feel like triple effort this time. I had built a time buffer earlier but feared losing it here. After 1.5 km, hard-packed gravel started peeking through and I found a better rhythm until construction appeared at the end of the curve into town. Several short sections were torn up by machinery, forcing slower footing. Then came three flocks of more than 100 Canada Geese blocking the trail (Canada’s second-most-dangerous animal, arguably), followed by a burst of pea-sized hail in a headwind that somehow shifted directions with me. For the last 3 km, I just endured it and pushed through.
I finished five minutes ahead of my goal and couldn’t be happier. Now that I know the route, I’m confident I could find more time in better weather.
10/10 would recommend, excited to see who takes it on next.
Big thanks to Amanda for creating the route and to everyone who’s completed it before, I learned a lot from your files.