1st Leg of the Bruce Trail: Queenston to Firemen's Park


Queenston to Firemen's Park 






Cairn at Queenston

I've never written a blog before. People may be wondering why a blog...why not a podcast or a tiktok video. The simple answer, I like to write and I like to read.  Maybe other people do too. So here I am, documenting our journey along the Bruce Trail, an 890 kilometre hiking trail that runs from Queenston, Niagara to Tobermory. 


My husband Peter and I started our journey on July 31st at Queenston, Niagara. We took two cars and left one at the lower lot of Firemen's Park, 2275 Dorchester Rd, Niagara Falls and parked the other at Queenston Heights Park, 14184 Niagara River Parkway. Parking was free at Firemen's and is paid at Queenston (about $5-10). Once we left the car, we explored Queenston Park a bit before hitting the trail. We started at the Cairn marking the start of the south end of the Bruce Trail. Next we went over to the Brock Monument and a gorgeous view of the Niagara River. Unfortunately entry to the monument is closed to visitors at this time but they did have some parks people in period costume on hand to answer questions. For those with kids, there's a playground and splash pad. 




Brock Monument


Onto our first 8km leg of the trail! The first few kilometres of the Bruce Trail is fantastic for beginner hikers. It is mostly flat, shady, with few tripping hazards. This 8km section of the Bruce Trail is for hiking only. 

You will pass by Queenston Quarry which definitely is not the most fantastic sight you can find in Niagara. Pretty anti-climatic actually. 




Once you go past the quarry and the interesting crane like structure (pease post a comment if you know what it is) the next 4k section of the Bruce trail can be a bit confusing and more moderate than beginner. There are some steep rocky descents and switchbacks; however, the breathtaking vine covered ravine views of this Carolinian Forest are worth the effort. 





At about 4kms from the Cairn in Queenston, the Bruce Trail joins the Laura Secord Legacy Trail (trail spanning the full 32 kms of her epic journey) at the Laura Secord Homestead
Laura Secord Legacy Trail 

It's important to note that there are many unmarked side trails. It's important to know how the signage works. Before you approach a fork there will be a marker with two white marks indicating which way to turn. If the top white blaze is to the right of the bottom one you turn right, if it is to the left of the bottom one you turn left. The picture below indicates a right turn. 






Taking a moment to sign the logbook in memory of Alex Fedorkow 1993-2007.





Along the trek we saw the most interesting fungus. I believe this one is Laetiporus Sulphureus or commonly known as "Chicken of the Woods".  Apparently it is edible and tastes like chicken. I wouldn't know personally. As a safety precaution, I do not recommend eating mushrooms found in the woods. 

As for wildlife, we saw plenty of squirrels and even a chipmunk. 



Hike #1

Date                         July 31st, 2021

Start:                        Queenston Heights Park

Finish:                       Firemen's Park, Dorchester rd

Distance:                 8.26 kms

Time:                        1 hour 59 minutes



 For more trail information please visit: https://brucetrail.org/





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