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Friendship Trail with Canada's Bruce Trail

On Thursday 26th September the South West Coast Path International Friendship Trail was opened at Maple Cross Nature Reserve, Cape Chin in Canada. 

It was a wonderful day meeting the Bruce Trail Conservancy volunteers and team who look after this amazing trail. Julian Gray (SWCPA Director) and Lorna Sherriff (National Trail Officer) were in attendance at the opening.

Lorna shared her thoughts of the friendship trail,

"Driving through the woodland to the start of the friendship trail you would never realise that it would suddenly open out into the breathtaking views across Georgian Bay which is a huge expanse of water that you cannot see to the other side. Even though it is part of a lake system the sound of water lapping up onto the shore instantly brought my senses back to being stood on the SWCP. The walk along the friendship trail was beautiful and full of wildlife – including seeing a porcupine and some chipmunks which was a huge highlight as well as evidence of bear activity with rocks turned over and lots of evidence that bears like to eat apples and you had to watch where you were stepping! The volunteers and team were so passionate and dedicated about the trail, just like our SWCPA volunteers and team, that this is certainly going to be the start of a wonderful friendship with the Bruce Trail."

Julian Gray said, 

“We’re excited to be part of this World Trails Network initiative. Our International Friendship Trail with the Bruce Trail celebrates the importance of trails internationally in supporting the local economy and connecting people to nature. “

Walking on the Bruce Trail in Canada

Julian Gray presenting the South West Coast Path finger sign to the Bruce Trail to commemorate the Friendship Trail.

What is an International Friendship Trail?

The World Trails Network runs the International Friendship Trail programme, joining sections of different trails around the world. The Bruce Trail is Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath, and connects from the Niagara Escarpment up to Tobemory on Lake Huron. Joining together via a Friendship Trail is a great way to showcase the Coast Path with the 20,000 members of the Bruce Trail Conservancy and helps celebrate us as one of the world’s great trails.  

Look out for more information in a blog post which will be coming out soon about the South West Coast Path x Bruce Trail International Friendship Trail.

Published on: Oct. 1, 2024