Terra Cotta Conservation Area

Discover Beautiful Landscapes

Explore 485 acres in the Niagara Escarpment. The park features a variety of trails that wander through mature forests and past streams and ponds. Don’t forget to visit the wetland.

Under the summer sun, enjoy a picnic and discover outdoor fun with your family and friends. In winter plan a trip to cross-country ski and snowshoe on groomed trails or skate on a frozen pond. Don’t be surprised if you see white-tailed deer bounding in the woods or hear the sounds of pileated woodpeckers in the trees.

Activities

Trails

Trail Name
Length
Rating

Stroll through a mixed deciduous forest. Listen for songbirds or try to catch the sounds of frogs as they compete for prime wetland real estate. This trail is great for any nature lover. Trail surface is soil, crushed stone and mown grass. No rest areas on this trail.

Available Activities
Length
1 km
Hiking time
Estimated hiking time 15 minutes
Width
Average: 1.7 m
Minimum: 1.2 m
Grade
Average: 4.6%
Maximum: 24.5%
Cross Slope
Average: 4.3%
Maximum: 21.1%
Rating
Difficult
Hiking time
Estimated hiking time 15 minutes

This trail starts at McGregor Spring Trail giving you an opportunity to explore deep into the park. Peer into lush valley floors and enjoy mature forest stands. The trail connects in places with Terra Cotta Lane and ends at the Graydon Trail. Trail surface is soil, wood chips and decking. No rest areas on this trail.

Available Activities
Length
1.6 km
Hiking time
Estimated hiking time 25 minutes
Width
Average: 1.7 m
Minimum: 1.6 m
Grade
Average: 5.7%
Maximum: 21.9%
Cross Slope
Average: 3.6%
Maximum: 22.7%
Rating
Moderate
Hiking time
Estimated hiking time 25 minutes

This loop trail begins and ends near the parking areas. The trail follows an old campground road around Wolf Lake and passes through the sugar bush. Trail surface is crushed stone and soil. Rest areas are less than 1.3 km apart.

Available Activities
Length
2 km
Hiking time
Estimated hiking time 30 minutes
Width
Average: 3 m
Minimum: 1.5 m
Grade
Average: 2.3%
Maximum: 11.6%
Cross Slope
Average: 2.1%
Maximum: 8.1%
Rating
Easy
Stroller Friendly
Hiking time
Estimated hiking time 30 minutes

Take the trail link from the main parking area past the Park Store to explore this trail. It features a restored wetland home to a diversity of plants and animals. Walk along the edge or across the boardwalk to explore nature up-close. This trail is great for all ages. Trail surface is crushed stone, soil and decking. Rest areas are less than 0.4 km apart.

Available Activities
Length
0.4 km
Hiking time
Estimated hiking time 10 minutes
Width
Average: 2 m
Minimum: 1.4 m
Grade
Average: 2.4%
Maximum: 11.7%
Cross Slope
Average: 2.5%
Maximum: 10.7%
Rating
Easy
Stroller Friendly
Hiking time
Estimated hiking time 10 minutes

This trail starts near the Outdoor Education Centre and meanders through different types of forests that are home to birds of prey, mammals and more. This trail connects with the Graydon Trail where you can access other segments of the AF Coventry Trail and loop. Trail surface is soil, stairs and decking. No rest areas on this trail.

Available Activities
Length
1.5 km
Hiking time
Estimated hiking time 25 minutes
Width
Average: 1.5 m
Minimum: 0.9 m
Grade
Average: 7.7%
Maximum: 39.0%
Cross Slope
Average: 5.4%
Maximum: 32.0%
Rating
Strenuous
Hiking time
Estimated hiking time 25 minutes

This trail is part of the main Bruce Trail route. It features a steep climb through a sugar maple forest and views from the top of the Niagara Escarpment. You can see vernal pools and temporary spring ponds that host a variety of amphibians. Hiking experience is recommended. Trail surface is soil, mown grass and crushed stone. Rest areas are less than 0.4 km apart.

Available Activities
Length
0.4 km
Hiking time
Estimated hiking time 10 minutes
Width
Average: 1.6 m
Minimum: 1.5 m
Grade
Average: 6.5%
Maximum: 28.7%
Cross Slope
Average: 4.1%
Maximum: 17.5%
Rating
Moderate
Hiking time
Estimated hiking time 10 minutes

Originally a campground road, this trail connects Terra Cotta Lane to the Forest Meadow pavilion. You can access to the Graydon Trail along the way. Trail surface is crushed stone and soil. No rest areas on this trail.

Available Activities
Length
0.8 km
Hiking time
Estimated hiking time 15 minutes
Width
Average: 3.5 m
Minimum: 2.4 m
Grade
Average: 3.7%
Maximum: 11.5%
Cross Slope
Average: 2.7%
Maximum: 11.4%
Rating
Easy
Stroller Friendly
Hiking time
Estimated hiking time 15 minutes

This trail begins in the southeastern part of Terra Cotta near the Caledon Trailway. Walk past conifer plantations and valley edges into a mature forest. This trail follows the main Bruce Trail route from the Escarpment Trail junction to the access point on 10th Line, where the trail ends. The Graydon Trail is isolated and rugged in spots. Plan accordingly. Trail surface is soil, crushed stone and mown grass. No rest areas on this trail.

Available Activities
Length
2.6 km
Hiking time
Estimated hiking time 40 minutes
Width
Average: 1.5 m
Minimum: 0.5 m
Grade
Average: 4.8%
Maximum: 26.3%
Cross Slope
Average: 3.6%
Maximum: 18.2%
Rating
Moderate
Hiking time
Estimated hiking time 40 minutes

This seasonal winter trail begins at Forest Meadow Lane. Skiers, snowshoers, and hikers can traverse through peaceful open meadows and conifer stands that surround the Forest Meadow Pavilion. Forest Meadow Loop is groomed and track set offering novice skiers and snowshoers a variety of flat, open sections and gentle slopes. This is seasonal trail with no rest areas.

Available Activities
Length
0.9 km
Hiking time
Estimated hiking time 15 minutes
Rating
Moderate
Hiking time
Estimated hiking time 15 minutes

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