Bruce Peninsula · Easy · Circular

The Grotto and Indian Head Cove from Cyprus Lake

A loop through forest to the cliffs of Georgian Bay at Indian Head Cove and the Grotto sea cave, returning past Marr Lake.

Distance
3.6 km (2.2 mi)
Ascent
22 m
Time
About 1 h
High point
195 m
Grade
Easy

Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.

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Move along the height chart to see each point on the map.
The Grotto and Indian Head Cove from Cyprus Lake
A J Butler · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The walk

From car park P1 walk to the Head of Trails and take the Georgian Bay Trail north through forest to the shore at Indian Head Cove. Turn left (west) on the Bruce Trail along the cliff top, past a natural arch, to the Grotto, a sea cave. Carry on west along a rough boulder beach to the signed Marr Lake Trail, turn inland past Marr Lake and rejoin the Georgian Bay Trail near the Head of Trails. The loop goes anticlockwise.

It is 3.6 km round with 22 m of ascent; allow about an hour. The grade is Easy: an easy path to the shore, then uneven rock and boulders.

Until 31 October parking must be booked with Parks Canada in four-hour slots; when it is full there is no access, and walking in along Cyprus Lake Road is not allowed. Daily admission is extra. Cyprus Lake Campground is closed until 31 October 2026 because of a black bear used to human food, and parking can close at short notice: keep food sealed and with you. The shore has cliff edges and deep cracks, with no railings. Dogs must be on a lead. From 1 November the trails are not maintained.

Cyprus Lake Road leaves Highway 6 about 10 km south of Tobermory. There is no public transport.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.

Good to know

  • The Grotto is a sea cave cut by the waves into the dolomite cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment, linked to Georgian Bay by underwater passages
  • Indian Head Cove beside it is a small cobble cove of clear turquoise water, with a natural arch and smaller caves along the shore
  • The return by Marr Lake starts across a rough beach of large boulders
  • Cyprus Lake Road leaves Highway 6 about 10 km south of Tobermory, at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula

Getting there

Start: Cyprus Lake car park P1. 45.23643, -81.52261

Directions to the start

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Places to stay nearby

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Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.