It was very slow hike, we just went for a walk because of the nice weather. We stopped a lot, took pictures, played with our dog, had some snacks and just enjoyed surroundings.
Elevation: the path has one descend and ascend of 104 meters and the same pattern on the way back
Washrooms: No
Garbage bins: No
Parking: parking lot for approximately 15 cars. The parking is located off the 7th Line right after turning east from Airport Road. This parking is for exclusive use of Bruce Trail hikers.
Coordinates of the parking: 43.960477 and -79.979773
Parking is free
Trail starts with 7th Line 200 m long side trail that leads to the main trail.
At the beginning of the trail you will see an Inuksuk. If you will take a closer look you will see that it holds a smaller Inuksuk on its left hip.
First the path goes though grass fields and then turns into the woods.
Approximately 1 km from the parking right before turning into the woods there is a bench with a nice view from the top of the hill - geological cross-section of Humber Heights.
There is also one unexpected bench in the middle of the woods.
In the forest the trails goes down for 104 meters and then leads back up for approximately the same height.
During our last hiking we saw two deers in this area. This time there was only a lot of types of different mushrooms.
And a little frog
There is no rivers or ponds on that part of the trail. So if it is a hot day and you are hiking with your dog bring some water with you.
From The Grande Sideroad to Forks of the Credit Provincial Park and Back
Distance: 11 km
Time: 3 hours and 40 minutes (we walk in slow pace, make stops to enjoy our surroundings, have short lunch, play with our dog and allow him to swim as long as he desires)
Warning: the path has one steep way down and then up at the same place on the way back
Washrooms: Yes, one in Forks of the Credit Provincial Park - 5 km from parking
Garbage bins: Yes, one in Forks of the Credit Provincial Park - 5 km from parking
Parking: roadside parking on the east side of Creditview Road on Grand Sideroad and Creditview Road intersection
Coordinates of the parking: 43.791491 and -79.975229
Parking is free
*Note: parking is immediately after intersection, do not drive to the end of Creditview Road, parking is prohibited there and on the west side of the road as well
Trail starts with a nice wide path through the woods. It goes like that for the first 2 km. We passed a lot of small ponds and puddles. Our dog enjoyed swimming in them.
*Note: in May 2019 there was still a huge and deep puddle in the middle of the path that was impossible to get over without getting very wet. The path is bordered by two fences that do not allow to go around the puddle without climbing over the fence and trespassing to private property. Luckily, a temporary detour was made. if you go towards Forks of the Credit Provincial Park then follow a tiny sign right before the puddle and go to the left. If you go from Forks of the Credit Provincial Park then do not miss tiny sign on a tree a little bit before the puddle and follow it to the right. If you can see the puddle it means you have already missed the sign. Go back a little bit. The sign will be on the fork of two paths.
At approximately 2 km from the beginning there will be quite a steep descent from 445 meters to 304 meters with total of 141 meters way down. It has some stairs made in the ground and ropes for support in the steepest places. Our dog easily went down. Some of the path goes over rocks, which will make this part of the trail hard to go through when rocks are wet.
Almost at the very end of the descent you will cross a railroad, which we found interesting. We haven’t seen or heard any trains during our hike.
Unfortunately, after that the trail gets out of the forest and you have to go on the road for some time. Fortunately, the road is not busy and it goes along Credit river, so you still have some nature during your hike.
We had a lunch on a bank of the river on our way back. Nice green lawn with some big rocks that you can sit on and watch the running water.
The road will take you to the back entrance of Forks of the Credit Provincial Park. It is a nice park with several trails. We made only Bruce Trail loop, which is 3.9 km in total. It has washroom in the middle of the loop and a trash bin. In order to make a loop it is necessary to turn right to the side trail (blue sign) and follow it for 440 meters in the very end of the loop. It will take you back to the entrance. Be careful and do not turn to the wrong side trail that will take you to a viewpoint of falls and a dead end.
The loop has a short elevation from 330 meters to 400 meters and then at the end a descend back to the back entrance of the park. The path is well maintained, so there should be no worries regarding this part.
After the loop in the park is completed you just go back from where you came.
The hardest part is a steep ascent that we passed in the beginning. It start at approximately at 8.8 km from the beginning. In the steepest part of the path our dog was not able to climb up. We had to lift him up and carry him over couple stairs, which was not easy and was not really safe at that place. However, the rest of the path is nice and good.
Hope you will enjoy your hike from The Grande Sideroad to Forks of the Credit Provincial Park and back!
