An End-to-End for a hiker of the Bruce Trail is the completion of the entire main trail on foot, after which you’ll have earned a badge to proudly announce to all that you did this! You can also complete shorter End-to-Ends of the Bruce Trail, where you hike all of the main trail in any of the nine club sections.
Each club typically runs an annual event to hike their entire section of the trail over one or several weekends, depending on how long the section is. In Caledon Hills, our section is about 72 km long and our annual event has you experiencing spectacular fall colours over the Thanksgiving weekend, with two- and three-day hiking options.
For other organized group End-to-End hikes, check the BTC Hike Schedule and follow us on social media for updates.
Completing an End-to-End on the Thanksgiving weekend, or over several hikes throughout the year (either on your own or as part of an organized club hike), will earn you a badge.
Caledon Hills “Fall Colours” 72.4km End-to-End
(Note: The three-day end-to-end is held annually at Thanksgiving. The two-day end-to-end is held in conjunction with the three-day event on even numbered years.)
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. How do I register for the event?
A. Registration begins on June 30 at 5:00 a.m. Interested participants register and pay on the BTC Hike Schedule.
Registration for 2024 is limited to 50 hikers for the 2-day and 50 hikers for the 3-day.
2 -day – https://hikes.brucetrail.org/event/fall-colours-two-day-end-to-end/2024-10-12/
3-day – https://hikes.brucetrail.org/event/fall-colours-three-day-end-to-end/2024-10-12/
Note: If 2-day hikers find that the distances are too long, they can change on Saturday to the 3-day event for an additional $20.00. Negotiate this change with Sandy Green, E2E Coordinator.
The cost for the 2-day event is $40.00 and the 3-day event is $60.00. Refunds will not be issued. Thank you for your donation.
Q. Are these hikes the same as a regular group hike on the Bruce Trail?
A. These hikes differ in a few ways.
Participants are shuttled by school bus from the meeting places to the start locations.
Hikers are free to hike at their own pace, either individually or with other participants. There is no leader, but there is a designated “sweep,” an official end person.
There are checkpoints every 7 – 11 km along the route. Volunteers provide light refreshments and beverages at the checkpoints.
Participants are expected to hike at a pace of approximately 4 km/hr or faster. There are cut-off times. A 4 km/hr pace, plus an additional 15 minutes rest at each checkpoint and a 15 minute late start buffer are used to calculate the times.
Checkpoint set up times are based on the fastest pace being 7 km/hr.
Q. Can I follow the Trail without problems?
A. While the Trail through the Caledon Hills section is clearly blazed and easy to follow, it is helpful (but not essential) to have the most current maps or the Bruce Trail App. https://brucetrail.org/bruce-trail-sections-and-maps/
Know the blazing system, as described on the Bruce Trail website, https://brucetrail.org/explore-the-trail/#blazes. Since the route is along the main Trail, hikers follow white blazes.
If you are not that familiar with the Trail, it is recommended that you walk with other hikers. If you happen to get off the Trail, retrace your steps until you see the white blazes and then carry on.
If a hiker does not pass through a checkpoint after a reasonable time, a search party will be organized.
Q. What should I bring with me?
A. Bring your regular day hiking gear.
Please bring your own cup or bottle to reduce waste at checkpoints. You may want to bring extra water, snacks, or a lunch for between checkpoints.
Q. Where do we meet and what parts of the Trail are covered each day?
A. All hikers meet at the end point of each hike and then are shuttled by school bus to the hike starting point for the day.
Two-Day Hikers
Saturday, October 12, 2024 and Sunday, October 13, 2024
The bus leaves at 7:30 am sharp each day. Please plan to arrive at least 20 – 30 minutes before the departure time.
On Saturday and Sunday, meet at Coolihans Side Road at km 35.0, east of where the Trail crosses the road. Google Maps GPS Coordinates: 43.937967, – 79.934650.
From Airport Rd, head east on Coolihans Side Road for 850 metres. Park well off the road on the north side.
On Saturday, the bus will drop participants off at the northern end of the Caledon Hills section, at County Rd 8. Hikers will then head south back to Coolihans Side Road.
Checkpoints are located 11.3 km, 18.2 km, 29.1 km (Cut-off Time: 4:00 pm), and 37.4 km into the hike.
On Sunday, the bus will drop the group off on Creditview Road at km 0.0. They will then hike north, back to Coolihans Side Road.
Checkpoints are located 9.5km, 20.8 km, 27.8 km (Cut-off Time: 4:00 pm), and 35.0 km into the hike.
*Be mindful of the “cut-off” times.
Three-Day Hikers
Saturday, October 12, 2024, Sunday, October 13, 2024, and Monday, October 14, 2024
The bus leaves at 8:30 a.m. sharp, each day. Please plan to arrive at least 20 – 30 minutes before the departure time.
On Saturday, meet at the Fung Loy Kok Taoist Tai Chi-International Centre
248305 Side Road 5, Mono, ON L9W 6C3. Google Maps GPS Coordinates: 43.975421, -79.989252.
From Airport Road, turn east onto Side Road 5. Drive 270 metres to the entrance of the International Centre on the left. Enter the driveway and head straight for approximately 50 metres. Parking is in a field on the right. The buildings and facilities of the International Centre are off limits to participants during this Bruce Trail event.
The bus will take participants to the northern end of the Caledon Hills section, at County Rd 8. The group will then hike south, back to the International Centre.
Checkpoints are located 11.3 km, 18.2 km (Cut-off Time: 2:00 pm), and 26.9 km into the hike.
On Sunday, meet at km 20.8, the north/east corner of Escarpment Side Road and Heart Lake Road. Park on the north side of Escarpment Side Road, well off of the road, 43.859911, -79.947606.
The bus will take hikers to km 0.0 on Creditview Road. Participants will then hike back to the meeting place on Escarpment Side Road.
Checkpoints are located 9.5 km (Cut-off Time: 11:45) and 20.8 km into the hike.
On Monday, meet at the Fung Loy Kok Taoist Tai Chi-International Centre.
The bus will take participants to Escarpment Side Road and Heart Lake Road. Everyone will then hike back to the International Centre.
Checkpoints are located 10.7 km, 18.4 km (Cut-off Time: 2:00 pm), and 25.1 km into the hike.
Please note that on Saturday and Monday, the final checkpoint (the end of the hike) is slightly off the Bruce Trail. There will be signs in place to direct hikers. Also note that the meeting place on Sunday is different than the other two days.
*Be mindful of the “cut-off” times.
A Town of Caledon Parking Pass is required for 2-day hikers on Saturday and Sunday and for 3-day hikers on Sunday only, as we are parking along a road. Apply online in the morning before you leave for the hike.
caledon.ca
Search: parking pass
Select: parking pass
Apply for a pass – scroll to bottom and click “I agree. Apply here.”
Complete the required fields.
Parking Options: Parking in Excess of 3 Hours (Second choice from the top.)
Quantity: 1
Parking Location: Caledon on street
Name, phone number, email, plate, province
Click Verify
Click Submit
*You do NOT need a paper print out.
Q. Can I drop out at anytime during a hike?
A. If you feel the need to drop out of a hike, discontinue at a checkpoint. Notify a volunteer that you are withdrawing and arrangements will be made to transport you back to your car.
Q. Any suggestions about accommodation?
A. If you plan to stay overnight in the area, go to the Travel Ontario website, https://www.travelinontario.com/Hills-of-Headwaters-West-of-Toronto.cfm.
Camp at Albion Hills Conservation Area, 16500 Peel Regional Road 50, Caledon, ON L7E 3E7, https://trca.ca/parks/albion-hills-campground/
Q. What are the COVID protocols?
A. Visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca/public-health-measures for public health measures and advice.
Masks are not mandatory on the bus shuttles.
Hand sanitizer will be available at each checkpoint.
Contact Sandy Green, E2E Coordinator at info at caledonbrucetrail dot org with any additional questions or concerns.
Map references are from the Bruce Trail Reference Maps and Trail Guide, Edition 31 and distances from the BTC app.