Pretty River Valley Provincial Park

Pretty River Valley Provincial Park is located along the highest point of the Niagara Escarpment and is a non-operating park that is open for day-use. It offers a few trails for hiking, including the Bruce Trail, and mountain biking.

We’ve been to Pretty River Valley twice:

Hiking Trails

The Bruce Trail cuts through Pretty River Valley and there are four side trails which form a series of connected loops, creating a few options depending on how long you want to spend hiking. There are also three parking areas that provide access to the trails, including two at the southern entrance of the park along the shoulder of Pretty River Road and the northern entrance on 6th Sideroad, just south of Petun Conservation Area.

(1) A section of the Bruce Trail leads through Pretty River Valley. A portion of the trail follows along the river. There are lots of rolling hills and steep sections that climb up (and down) the side of the Escarpment. Along the way there’s also a scenic lookout overlooking the valley below.

(2) John Haigh Side Trail (2.6km one-way) features the highest point along the Bruce Trail at 540m above sea level. There’s even a plaque on a tree which marks the spot. This trail connects with the parking area on the northern entrance on 6th Sideroad.

(3) Pretty River Access Trail (1.3km one-way) leads to both parking areas on Pretty River Road and connects with the Bruce Trail to form a 3.0km loop through a cedar thicket.

(4) Pretty River Side Trail (1.4km one-way) winds through the forest and up (or down) the side of the Escarpment. The path passes Sundown Lake, crosses a stream, and provides a short-cut back to the Bruce Trail.