Mono Cliffs Provincial Park Trails
Mono Cliffs Provincial Park has 10 trails for you and the family to enjoy along the Bruce Trail. This is a great park for a day trip from Toronto. Located just 1.25 hours from Toronto near the town of Shelbourne.
How to get here is easy. Take ON-410 N to Hurontario St in Caledon. Follow Hurontario St, ON-10 and Dufferin Rd 8/Mono Centre Rd/Dufferin County Rd 8 to your destination in Mono. Parking here has a day fee of 7.50, make sure to pay online or at the fee station. They do come around and issue parking fines if you don’t. There are washrooms here as well, actually outhouses, bring your own hand sanitizer.
Before you go here are some things to keep in mind. There is no cell phone service in the parking lot and very little throughout the park. If you are planning to meet people here arrange it before you leave. You are able to make emergency calls but that is all. Ticks are also a problem in this area. Wear longs pants and lots of bug spray. When walking your pets be sure to check them before getting into your vehicle home.
What to bring with you in Mono Cliffs Provincial Park
This is nature and she is full of surprises. When you plan to come here these are the things you should be bringing with you. Hiking shoes, hiking poles, first aid kit, bug spray, flash light, raincoat, water and snacks. Bringing the kids? Think about bringing some books on trees and nature. This is a great place for kids to point out the different kinds of trees and fungi.
Activities
There are so many trails here to do biking, hiking, shoe shoeing, horseback riding and cross country skiing. Here you will find there is a trail for everyone. This is a great place to bring your family. Children will love the open space and the plethora of trees and wildlife found here. As always safety is key so be sure if you are hiking the upper trails that children are aware of the steep cliffs.
List of Hiking Trails
We decided to do a couple of trails. Carriage Trail, Spillway Trail, Cliff-Top Side Trail, Walter Tovell Trail and Link Trail. We headed from the parking lot through the first part of the trail with trees on one side and a stunning open meadow on the left.
Spillway trail
Spillway trail is the purple markers. You don’t have to take this trail to get to the stairs but if you want some added exercise it is a peaceful one.
Walter Tovell Trail
Walter Tovell Trail runs along side of the limestone cliffs. In the summer with all the lushness of the trees the cliffs would not be that easy to see. However in the autumn months it is quite clear. The moss covered boulders and fungi along the tree stomps was a beautiful site
Making our way along the blue trail we came to the steps to the Cliff-Top Side Trail. Here you will climb 64 stairs up (thank you to my nephew for counting them for me). This takes you along the upper part of the trail. From here you will reach the viewing platform. Of course if you have children with you it is important to go over safety with them. The cliffs and rocky edges are not a place you want to play around.
Hike North along the ridge for about 500 meters or more till you arrive at the viewing platform. Here you can look over the marsh and get a great view of the park.
Jacobs Ladder
Now to make your way to “Jacob’s Ladder”. Keep heading North and after a short distance on your right you will see a set of stairs. As you make your way down the 44 stairs (again thanks to my nephews counting skills) you will find yourself on the boardwalk.
Here is why people are rushing to Mono Cliffs Provincial Park. Yes the trails are stunning and the views are amazing. However Jacob’s Ladder and the boardwalk are the reason everyone is coming here. It is beautiful but beware it is small. I’m sure in the summer it’s crowded and swarming with mosquitoes. We ran into a few people but were able to capture a few family shots. I will say if you are just coming here for this I would park closer to this spot. There is parking, but for only a few cars, along 25 sideroad.
We made our way back on the blue trail which we were able to see a small lake. If you are looking for McCarston’s Lake you will need to take the McCarston’s Lake trail once you come out of Jacob’s Ladder. That trail is yellow.
Here is a list of trails with their distance.
Walter Tovell Trail – 4.8 km
McCarston’s Trail – 3.6 km
Carriage Trail – 1.3 km
Spillway Trail – 1.3 km
Cliff-Top Side Trail – 2.8 km
South Outlier Trail – 3.5 km
Lookout Trail – 600 m
Link Trail – 600 m
You can clearly see the Mono Cliffs Provincial Park Map here below. Also you can have a downloadable and Printable copy of Mono Cliffs Provincial Park Map and all of its trail for your ease.
Here is a link to the map for all the trails – Trail Map
Biking
I’m not a biking kind of girl. However there are plenty of bikes making their way around the park. Here is a list of trails for you to choose from. And just a side note. If you are riding your bike on a hiking trail, please be respectful of those walking. I will say there was one rude man who made us move from the trail with no regard for the kids.
Biking is permitted on:
Walter Tovell Trail – 4.6 km
Carriage Trail – 1.3 km
Spillway Trail – 1.3 km
Cliff-Top Side Trail – 2.8 km
Link Trail – 600 m
Winter Activities
A great place for some snowshoeing. Be sure to stay along the hiking trails and as always be careful when taking the upper trails.
Where is Mono Cliffs Provincial Park Located?
Mono Cliffs is located in the town of Mono, Ontario.
795122 3rd Line E, Orangeville, ON L9W 2Y8
Overall Review
I loved it here at Mono cliffs Provincial Park. I wouldn’t come for just Jacob’s Ladder. Take the day and make your way around the park. If you are looking for more trails with stunning rock formations head a little further towards Collingwood to Nottawasaga Bluffs Conservation Area. Bring your family, enjoy the nature and most of all have fun!