Hike Lion’s Head Trail to a Stunning Lookout

The Lion’s Head Trail to the lookout is a nice hike, but it requires essential hiking gear. Make sure to have enough water. Bring snacks to replenish your energy, especially if you plan on making the longer loop. 

Where is Lion’s Head Provincial Park

Lion’s Head Provincial Park is an Ontario Parks nature reserve on Georgian Bay. It is near the charming town of the same name. Lion’s Head is approximately halfway between Owen Sound and Tobermory in the Bruce Peninsula, 65 kilometres north of Owen Sound. 

From Toronto – Lion’s Head is a 3-hour drive from Toronto. Head North on the 410 and the 10 for about 90 kilometres and then Hwy 6 North for approximately 150 kilometres.

From Ottawa – Follow the 416 South to Hwy 401 West to Toronto. Then follow the same directions as above from Toronto to Lion’s Head. This is a minimum of 7 hours, but closer to 8 hours, including stops and traffic.

Part of the Bruce Trail wanders through Lion’s Head Provincial Park in sections of the Niagara Escarpment. It offers some of the best views, from high cliffs to clear blue-green water. 

Save it for later

Getting to the Lion’s Head Lookout Trailhead

The parking lot at the trailhead has limited space. Arrive early, and you might find a parking space. On busy days, hikers can park at the school or the arena, and a shuttle will bring them to the trailhead and back. 

A flat rate includes all-day parking and shuttle rides to and from the location (in this case, the trailhead)—more information is on the Lion’s Head Transit Website.

A park ranger at the trailhead sent us back to town to park and take the shuttle, as the lot was full. We did not have to wait long for the shuttle after parking. It picked up many more hikers, including us, and drove us to the trailhead. 

On the trail

The trail starts in a forested area with a wide, worn path. The greenery is beautiful, and moss covers many rocks and tree trunks, offering magical landscapes. The trail slowly climbs for the next two kilometres, then reaches a fork. 

To get to the lookout, go left for a few hundred metres, and then the trail will hang right near the Giant Cauldron Pothole. Not too long after, you will come across the Lion’s Head Pothole. Those rock formations, formed thousands of years ago, were formed during the ice age. They are impressive. 

Now strewn with rocks and roots, the trail heads towards the edge of the cliffs with a few ups and downs.

Lion’s Head Lookout

After 3 kilometres, the trail brings hikers to the cliff’s edge, 200 feet above the clear, blue-green water of Georgian Bay. It continues along the ridge, in and out of tree cover, with many lookouts before plunging back into the forest. 

From the lookout, you can head back the way you came, making the hike a little over 6 kilometres. If you want to make the loop, you keep hiking along the edge of the cliffs and around the point. 

McKay’s Harbour

After another 3 kilometres of hiking in and out of the forest, with stunning views over the bay and the town, the trail descends to the shores of McKay’s Harbour. Some makeshift stairs along the way will help with the quick elevation loss. 

Once on the shoreline, you can take advantage of the refreshing water. A pebble beach is a perfect place for a break and a snack. 

The return

Returning to the trailhead can be done in different ways. Depending on the distance you want to cover, you can head straight, cutting across for a shorter loop (about 12 km), or keep going on the Bruce Trail, which follows the shore around the point and eventually hangs a left to cut back to the trailhead (16 km). 

Things to do in Lion’s Head

After enjoying the Lion’s Head hiking trail, take some time to visit Lion’s Head. My favourite part was hanging out by the marina near the lighthouse. The water is a beautiful blue when the sky is sunny. The breakwater, made of huge white rocks, is the perfect place for a peaceful moment by the water.

Enjoy a walk on the pebble beach near the lighthouse. Again, beautiful sights.