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Scenic Loop drive · Ontario
Bruce Peninsula & Manitoulin Circle
Caribbean water, limestone cliffs and the world's largest freshwater island.
Overview
The Niagara Escarpment ends at Tobermory in white cliffs and water so clear it looks tropical. A ferry carries you from there to Manitoulin, the largest freshwater island on Earth.
The loop runs up the Bruce Peninsula to Tobermory, crosses to South Baymouth on the Chi-Cheemaun, circles Manitoulin's north shore through Little Current and M'Chigeeng, then returns along the north Georgian Bay shore via Espanola and Parry Sound. Roughly 640 km as an estimate.
Bruce Peninsula National Park manages access to the Grotto with a timed parking reservation system in the busy season, and Fathom Five's shipwreck tours run on weather. Confirm reservations, sailings and tour operations directly before committing to a day.
Distances and driving times on this page are planning estimates measured door to door without stops. Confirm ferry sailings, seasonal road openings, park access, fuel availability and weather with the operator or provincial highway service before you leave.
Distance
≈ 640 km
Estimate, plus ferry
Ferry
Chi-Cheemaun
Seasonal; book ahead
Parks
2 national
Bruce Peninsula; Fathom Five
Pace
5 days
Two nights on Manitoulin
The route
From start to finish
An approximate path through 6 key waypoints along the drive.
Driving times
Leg by leg
510 km across 5 legs. Times exclude stops, ferries, and weather contingencies.
| # | From → To | Distance | Driving time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Owen Sound → Lion's Head | 90 km | 1h 15m | — |
| 02 | Lion's Head → Tobermory | 55 km | 0h 50m | — |
| 03 | Tobermory → South Baymouth | 45 km | 1h 45m ferry | Sailing time |
| 04 | South Baymouth → Little Current | 70 km | 1h 00m | — |
| 05 | Little Current → Parry Sound | 250 km | 3h 00m | Via Espanola |
| Total | 510 km | 7h+ | Drive time only |
Day by day
The itinerary
A suggested route designed to balance driving time with the stops that matter.
Owen Sound to Lion's Head
Follow the escarpment north, walk the Lion's Head lookout on the Bruce Trail.
Tobermory and the Grotto
Visit Bruce Peninsula National Park with a booked parking slot, then take a Fathom Five shipwreck cruise if sailing.
Chi-Cheemaun to Manitoulin
Sail to South Baymouth and drive north to Little Current via Manitowaning.
Manitoulin's north shore
Drive the Cup and Saucer trail area and the island's north coast viewpoints; visit local cultural centres that welcome visitors.
Espanola to Parry Sound
Cross the swing bridge to the mainland and follow Georgian Bay south.
When to drive
Month by month
Best window: June – September. Plan around shoulder months for fewer crowds at the cost of variable weather.
Budget
Three ways to drive it
Smart
$180–$290/ day
- Drive days
- 5
- Lodging
- Campgrounds, motels and small B&Bs
- Food
- Groceries, bakeries and roadside diners
- Experiences
- Self-guided hikes, beaches and viewpoints
Mid
$330–$560/ day
- Drive days
- 5
- Lodging
- Inns, lodges and mid-range hotels
- Food
- Regional restaurants and one standout meal a day
- Experiences
- One guided tour or ticketed attraction most days
Premium
$880+/ day
- Drive days
- 5
- Lodging
- Boutique hotels, resorts and premium lodges
- Food
- Chef-led tasting menus and producer visits
- Experiences
- Private guides, charters and small-group tours
Editorial picks
Where to stop, sleep, and eat
Stop
The Grotto
Bruce Peninsula NP
Turquoise sea cave — needs a booked parking slot in peak season.
Stop
Flowerpot Island
Fathom Five
Sea stacks and shipwrecks by glass-bottom boat, weather permitting.
Stop
Cup and Saucer
Manitoulin Island
The island's best-known escarpment hike and viewpoint.
Signature stops
Don't miss
The Grotto at Bruce Peninsula National Park
Flowerpot Island and Fathom Five
Chi-Cheemaun ferry crossing
Cup and Saucer lookout, Manitoulin
Before you go
The prep checklist.
Practical things to lock in before you leave the driveway.
- Reserve the Chi-Cheemaun for a vehicle crossing in summer.
- Check Parks Canada's current Grotto parking reservation system.
- Swim with care — the water is cold and cliffs are unfenced.
- Book Tobermory accommodation early; supply is small and demand is not.
Where this road leads
Related destinations
Good to know
Frequently
asked.
Practical answers from travellers who have driven this route.
- Do I need to book the ferry?
- The Chi-Cheemaun runs a seasonal schedule and vehicle reservations are strongly advised in summer. Confirm current sailings, fares and the operating season before planning the crossing.
- Is the Grotto free to visit?
- Park entry and a timed parking reservation are typically required in peak season, and slots go quickly. Check Parks Canada's current system before you drive to Tobermory.
- Can this be done in three days?
- You can, but the island deserves two nights. Three days means driving the loop rather than experiencing it.
Planning the bigger trip?
Read our full guide to Canadian road-trip itineraries.
Along this route
Parks, camps, and cities on the drive
Every place below is within a comfortable side-trip of the route waypoints — surfaced automatically from our national-park, provincial-park, campground, and city datasets.
Nearby national parks
Nearby provincial parks
Nearby campgrounds
Travel styles
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