Lion’s Head, along with being a small Ontario town, is where many of the province’s natural features meet. Together, the Georgian Bay shoreline, Niagara Escarpment, and an incredibly well-preserved forest, meet to create exceptional scenery.
This is true whether you’re looking inland toward the forests or out onto the waters of Lake Huron and the Georgian Bay. A visit to Lion’s Head makes it easy to create memories with Lion’s Head Provincial Park, the lookout area, more hiking trails, and the town itself.
A visit to Lion’s Head Provincial Park during the fall is made even more memorable with the advent of the warm autumn hues and scenery.
Exploring the Lion’s Head Lookout & Trails
The Bruce Trail runs through Lion’s Head Provincial Park, following the shores from the town to Gun Point and Barrow Bay. The entire Lion’s Head Point and Gun Point shoreline trail from Cemetery Road to Lion’s Head is about 14km.
- Reach the lookout from town on the Bruce Trail with a 7.5km out-and-back hike.
- Explore the forests of the area on the Warder Side Trail loop which also begins in town. The loop is 4km in total and the trail is covered in bright golds or yellows for fall.
- No matter how you reach the lookout points over the Georgian Bay, they will be worth the trek! These lookout areas include the dark cliffs, the dense fall foliage, and bright blue Georgian Bay waters to create an array of contrast.
- Parking is paid at Bruce Trail Parking on McCurdy Drive.
More Fall Colour Hikes near Lion’s Head
Explore waterfront views all around this part of the Bruce Peninsula and Georgian Bay with simple, moderate, and challenging hike options. Along the way you’ll find dense forests with various fall colours, views of the blue waters, and cliffside scenery.
- The Bruce Trail leaves Lion’s Head to the north along the town’s waterfront. Explore the trail, picnic at Lion’s Head Beach Park, and get great fall views of the Harbour.
- Those looking for more of a challenge of a fall hike can take on the Bruce Trail section south of Lion’s Head Provincial Park. This section between Rush Cove and Barrow Bay is a little over 10km with stairs to traverse, and greater changes in elevation.
- The White Bluff trails north of Lion’s Head offer simpler waterfront hiking routes and more great views overlooking the Georgian Bay, or the forests to the west.
- Explore the Greig’s Caves near Lion’s Head on a self-guided adventure, or a guided hike with Bruce Eco Adventures.
Dining in Lion’s Head
Before or after discovering the lookout areas within the Provincial area, explore the town of Lion’s Head on foot or bike. There are shops and restaurants around downtown, several pretty picnic spots along the beach or shore, the Farmers’ Market, Harbour and Lighthouse views, and additional Bruce Trail access.
- Fuel up before those lookout hikes and fall adventures with the local eateries in town like The Booth Takeout, Taste Kitchen, Rachel’s Restaurant, or Cindy Lou’s.
- Find more food and much more from the local Farmers’ Market open every Saturday in Lion’s Head until Thanksgiving.
Planning Your Trip – Lion’s Head
What: A cliffside trail and lookout area from the Niagara Escarpment and overlooking the Georgian Bay. The Provincial Nature Preserve area includes the entire Lion’s Head Point area with the Bruce Trail and additional trails running through the day-use-only park.
Location and how to get there: McCurdy Drive Parkette, Bruce Trail, Lion’s Head, ON N0H 1W0
Accessible on foot from Lion’s Head via the Friendship Trail and Bruce Trail.
Lion’s Head is located in the Bruce Peninsula between Owen Sound and Tobermory. It is about 200 km from Barrie and 300 km (4 hours drive) from Toronto.
Paid parking is available at the trailhead, with overflow parking at Lion’s Head Arena, 4 Tackabury Street.
Best time to go: spring-fall
For more information: