The Trail is marked with white blazes. Blazes are rectangles of white paint 15 cm high and 5 cm wide on trees, fence posts, stiles and rocks. Usually the blazes face you as you approach the tree or post. If the path ahead is not obvious, another blaze should be visible from the previous blaze. When the geography follows a straight pathway, the blazes may be less frequent.

Blue blazes are used to denote the path of a side trail.

Blazes marked on rocks and trees may be covered by snow in winter. In early summer, heavy growth may cover the path and obscure the blazes. When the Trail enters a large open area you may have to pick up the blazes on the other side. If you lose the Trail, go back to the place where you saw the last blaze. The blazes intended for hikers going the other way may show the direction of the Trail. Throughout the year, the Trail is sometimes re-routed, either for improvement, or when a landowner withdraws permission to cross their land. If you come across a newly re-routed section of the trail, always follow the blazes. Blazes always take precedence over the route shown on the maps. A closed section of the Trail will have all the blazes scraped off or covered with dark paint. Often a "no trespassing" sign will be erected and brush may obstruct the abandoned Trail section. For re-routes that have taken place since the latest Bruce Trail Reference production please consult www.brucetrail.org under "Hiking" > "Trail Changes"