The Badlands
Location - Old Baseline Road just east of Creditview Road in Cheltenham ( updated Nov 2018)
The Badlands refers to a small field of rolling hills in Caledon that is almost completely devoid of vegetation, covered in Queenston shale that becomes very slippery when wet and erodes easily. The shale is a gorgeous orange/red with green stripes which is the red and green iron oxide that forms the shale somewhat like clay. The field is located beside the road for easy viewing. Ontario Heritage Trust owns the property and it is maintained by the Bruce Trail Conservancy. There is a new viewing platform and parking on Old Baseline Road, between Creditview and Chinguacousy Roads, west of Hwy 10 in Caledon. Visitors are no longer allowed to walk along the badlands but must stay on the platform. There are no hiking trails connected to the Badlands viewing area. Access to the Bruce Trail can be found to the east and to the west of the Badlands off Old Base Line Road. The area can be very busy at times, early morning is the best time to get photographs. Photographs courtesy of Barb Redford |