Sawmill

719521 hwy 6, Hepworth
Posted on February 1, 2019 / 2178
Sawmill
Location : Western Ontario
X-Ski km : 11
Skate km : 11
Snowshoe km : 5
Skill Level : Easy, Intermediate
Terrain : large hills, wide paths, gentle hills, flat sections
Facilities : parking, chalet, toilets/outhouse, food close by, trailhead map, trails maintained, track set, night skiing
Trail Fee : Yes

Length – 11 km

Cross-Country track set  – 11 km
Skate Skiing groomed – 11 km
Snowshoe trail – 5  km

Skill – All levels, some snowshoeing can get difficult

Terrain – flat sections, gentle rolling hills, evergreen tree farm and mixed forest

Hours – 9 am – 5 pm, plus night skiing on one loop

Fee – Adult pass $ 8, under 12 yrs. $2  // $5 snowshoeing

Trail Map – signed, maps at most junctions, no paper map

Facilities – parking, warming cabin, outhouses, shelter, club lessons

Highlights – scenic, popular, well-groomed, long ski season, night skiing

Phone – none

Website –  Bruce Ski Club    Facebook

Current Conditions  

Similar Trails – Wasaga, Sauble Falls,

Local Clubs –   Bruce Ski Club, Sauble Falls,

Access –   719521 hwy 6, east of Hepworth, parking lot and skiing on north side.



Likely the most popular Nordic ski centre in S.W. Ontario is Sawmill, outside of Hepworth. Here resides an active club that takes good care of the 11 km of Cross-Country and Skate skiing trail they offer.

There is good reason this spot is well known. At the base of the Bruce Peninsula this location is at a high point and north enough to get lots of snow and have a long ski season.

Recently, I was able to ski most of it and found the terrain enjoyable, with no surprises. A few hills were medium in height and steeper on the Black loops but nothing a seasoned skier would struggle with.  

Rating a loop Difficult – Black is all relative, right? Yes, they are the hardest there; but by Ontario standards, they feel like Blue runs.

Though there is good map signage at many intersections, not all trail forks had directions, so out came my paper map. (that I printed at home)

The 5 km of Snowshoe trails have 3 loops that each take you further out. They are enjoyable and scenic if you are able. It was evident that some of these trails had steep terrain and I would rate parts of this as Difficult.

You can do night skiing on the Jackrabbit loop 1.1 km. (Please turn off the lights when you leave, but make sure no one else is still out there.)

A warm cabin is open every day, yet there are no other services. The outhouses are out by the parking lot and I hear gear rental can be had locally.

There is not a lot of trail to traverse here, but I saw many skiers there on a Sunday morning, in a snowstorm! The draw is well-maintained, wide track with good grooming that Nordic skiers like.

Though a little out of the way, Sawmill has some fine, scenic loops to please everyone who can travel there where it snows first, and all winter.

Opening Hours
  • Monday :Daylight hours + night skiing
  • Tuesday :Daylight hours + night skiing
  • Wednesday :Daylight hours + night skiing
  • Thursday :Daylight hours + night skiing
  • Friday :Daylight hours + night skiing
  • Saturday :Daylight hours + night skiing
  • Sunday :Daylight hours + night skiing

Sawmill Nordic trail map

Reviews
3.6
Total Score 1 REVIEW
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