Half Moon Valley Trail

Descend 38m through a hardwood forest to the edge of Bronte Creek. Watch for Pileated Woodpeckers, Whitetailed Deer, Chipmunks and even Bald Eagles.

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Half Moon Valley Trail

Oakville, Ontario L6M, Canada

Created By: Bronte Creek Provincial Park

Tour Information

Located inside Bronte Creek Provincial Park's day-use only area (regular day use fees apply) the Half Moon Valley Trail is two kilometres in length and takes approximately one hour to complete at a relaxed walking speed. Please be aware that this trail descends 38 metres (125 feet) into the creek valley, creating some steep slopes. This trail may be challenging for young children or elderly people.

Pocket Sights accuracy - Please note that when following this tour you should stay on the designated trail even though the app might suggest that you veer off. We have tried to be as accurate as possible though there are limitations with this technology.

This is a multi-use trail so please be respectful of other visitors. Cyclists and joggers please give warning to visitors as you approach slower guest so they can move to the right.

  • Dogs must be leash at all times while in this area.
  • Do not pick or remove vegetation
  • Do not litter
  • Stay on the designated marked trail

Caution - Poison Ivy, Cow Parsnip, Stinging Nettles and other noxious plants can be found along the edges of this trail - stay on the trail to avoid contact.

Half Moon Valley Trail allows visitors to acceess the provincially significant Bronte Creek valley corridor which offers a window into 15000 years of powerful geological forces that shaped the landscape, providing the base for the wealth of natural resources which have supported indigenous peoples, european settlers and current populations.


Tour Map

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What You'll See on the Tour

Half Moon Valley Trail is two kilometres in length and takes approximately one hour to complete at a relaxed walking speed.  Please be aware that this trail descends 38 metres (125 feet) into the creek valley, creating some steep slopes. ... Read more
Approximately 15000 years ago this area was covered by a sheet of ice 2km thick, which stretched from the southern shore of the great lakes to the high Canadian Arctic.  This ice sheet was part of the last ice age and is now referred to as... Read more
The area you are now standing on was the previous delta or mouth of the creek as it entered the glacial Lake Iroquois, an ancestor of Lake Ontario.   Lake Iroquois had a much higher water level then Lake Ontario has today.  At some unkno... Read more
The local bedrock is made of a sedimentary rock called Queenston Shale.  When this rock is exposed and weathered it changes to a red clay.  The Queenston Shale of the Half Moon Valley has been exposed during the creation of the valley, ma... Read more
You are now standing in an area that was once part of the creek bottom.  This ½ moon shaped valley was carved out when the water levels were higher, since then the creek has found a new path leaving this wet, low lying area.  Because thi... Read more
This meadow in front of you is an excellent example of natural succession.  Natural succession is a process that gradually changes bare ground to a mature forest.  This is occurring in the meadow because at some point the vegetation and ... Read more
Timber!           The water of Bronte Creek played an important role in the establishment of early industries. Brick makers needed water near by as did the forest operations.  Having a mature forest close to a water source to fl... Read more
Another major natural resource of the area was the fisheries of Bronte Creek.  Salmon, trout and cisco herring where listed as being plentiful up until the mid 1800’s.  From the days of the First Nation Peoples to today the creek has be... Read more
After that steep climb take a moment to rest at this lovely scenic vantage point. Look at the types of trees around you and then compare them to those across the ravine . . . do you see a difference?  The influences of sunlight, temperat... Read more
This is one of of the reasons why Bronte Creek is protected as a provincial park as this feature is provincial significant. Directly below where you are standing is a deep and completely buried ravine.  This ravine was created by a river ... Read more
Look around you.  The tall Eastern White Pine trees link us to the more recent logging history of the area.  Note the broken branches on the trunks that extend almost all the way to the base of the trunk.   The thickness of these bra... Read more
We hope you enjoyed walking the Half Moon Valley Trail and using the Pocket Sights guide.  This trail links us to the history of Bronte Creek in many ways.  It demonstrates the creation of the river valley from the time of the ice age, a... Read more
You have now emerged from the forest canopy and are standing on the Ravine Trail. If you walk to your left you will return to the trail head and spruce lane farm area. If you wish to explore the park further turn to your right - the ravine ... Read more

 

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