Welcome to the Niagara Region, located in Southern Ontario, Canada! This southern part of the country’s most populated province is very special for a couple reasons. First and foremost, it’s where I was born and raised, so this post is very dear to my heart. And second, it’s a special place due to it’s geological composition.
Full disclosure, this will be a nerdy post 🙂
The land formations here are the remnants of the ‘Wisconsin Glacier’ which retreated approximately 20,000 years ago. As the glacier withdrew from the area, also creating the Great Lakes, it left in it’s shadow what we now refer to as the Niagara Escarpment.
The Niagara Escarpment is a unique cliff line that runs for more than 700km, from Niagara Falls to Georgian Bay. It’s natural features have led to it being a designated UNESCO world heritage site. And for the outdoorsy travel type, that means it’s an excellent eco-tourism destination! All of the follwing activity suggestions will get you outside, breathing some fresh air and loving life!
Hike the Bruce trail and Side Trails
The Bruce Trail is Canada’s oldest hiking trail and runs over 900 km from Queenston to Tobermory. The trail is split into nine main sections, the first of which (or last, depending on how you look at it) runs along the Niagara Escarpment. Originating in the 1960s, the Bruce Trail continues to host thousands of hikers per year and various stakeholders partake in upkeep of the trail. Hikers can walk the trail , end to end in about 30 days (which is a personal goal of mine, eventually). However, the trail can also be explored in small chunks over many years.
Several of the Bruce Trail trail heads will find you standing at the top of the Niagara Escarpment overlooking the valley below. From here, you’re overlooking Lake Ontario. If you follow the lake to the North and the weather is right, you’ll find the visibility is good enough to see the City of Toronto across the lake. These sweeping views of the southern part of the province will vary from one trail to the next. That said, we can guarantee that these views never get old.
Here are some of our favourite Side Trails:
- Rockway Conservation Area
- Beamer Memorial Conservation Area (hilltop view displayed in lead article photo)
- Shorthills Provincial Park
- Woodend Conservation Area
Common Species of the Niagara Escarpment
The Niagara Escarpment is host to a variety of biospheres (environmental regions) including cliff edges, wetlands, woodlands, limestone alvar pavements, oak savannahs, conifer swamps, vernal pools and various others. The area is host to species of the Carolinian forest life zone (300 bird species, 55 mammals, 36 reptiles and amphibians, 90 fish and 100 varieties of special interest flora) which include the following:
- Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
- Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
- Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
- American Paw Paw (Asimina triloba)
- Barn Owl (Tyto alba)
- Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)
- Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)
- Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans)
- Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)
If you’re lucky you’ll get to see several of these Carolinian forest species during your adventure.
Discover Niagara Escarpment Waterfalls
With some areas reaching over 400 meters in elevation, it’s no surprise that waterfalls are common here. The most famous waterfall in the area is, of course, Niagara Falls. And yes, we can confirm, the view from the Canadian side is much prettier 😉 But there are dozens of waterfalls waiting for you to explore in the Niagara Region. And each of them is unique in it’s own way.
One of the interesting things about seeing these waterfalls is observing the layers of rock that they have carved away. You’ll notice in the photo below, there are various colours on display by the stone wall surrounding the waterfall. These layers are made up of various rock types that are known as (things are about to get real nerdy):
- Lockport-Amabel Dolostone (upper)
- Mixed beds of sandstone, shale, limestone and dolostone (middle)
- Queenston Shale (lower)
Resource: Bruce Trail – Escarpment Geology
How neat is that? And you’ll see these clear divisions carry from one waterfall to the next as you set out to explore.
Bike Ride the Agricultural Country Roads
Whether you rent a bike or ride your own, the Niagara Region is no stranger to cyclists. There is no shortage of country roads and bike paths to accommodate every skill level of cyclist. You can find a map of the various routes through the Niagara Cycling Tourism Center.
While cycling isn’t as fast as driving between destinations, it’s quicker than walking and gives you a more intimate perspective of the region. As you make your way, you’ll find many integrated cyclist features such as bike racks and repair kits located at various locations. You’re also very likely to encounter other cyclists along the way, as this is a very popular, good weather activity.
As you make your way along the cycling trails you’ll find plenty of shopping, entertainment, historic sites, accommodations, restaurants and small businesses supporting the local agriculture.
Stop at a roadside Farm Stand
Or two…
The unique landscape produced by the Niagara Escarpment makes for a very productive agricultural zone as well. You’ll find several road side farm stands as well as full markets offering a variety of locally grown produce. The Niagara Region is very well known for it’s acres upon acres of apples, pears, peaches and cherries which are available in abundance. Additionally, you’ll find a selection of maple syrup, cheeses, flowers and more along the way. Some of our favourites include:
- Peach Country
- White Meadows Farm
- Mathias Farm
Drink Locally produced wines, Beers and Spirits
The excellent agricultural conditions of the Niagara Region also lend to vast landscapes of grape vines, making up Ontario’s oldest wine region. And this can only mean one thing. You’ll find DOZENS of wineries in the Niagara Region! The Ontario Wine Route transects this fruitful region and is a major draw for many on an annual basis with it’s ten sub-appellations. We can again thank the aforementioned glacial activity, as it created the unique terroirs that cater to the many varietals you’ll find here.
The region shares it’s latitude with other wine production greats such as France, Italy and Spain. You’ll find a great selection of White, Red, Rosé, Sparkling, and even Orange wines here. Classic grapes like Riesling and Pinot Noir are found here, but there are some less common varietals that call the Niagara Region home. These varietals include Baco Noir and Gewürztraminer. And be sure to make time to sample some Icewine, Ontario’s “liquid gold”. Icewine is a type of dessert wine that is very sweet and flavourful.
If you happen to make the trip, here are some of our favourite wineries:
- Calamus Estate Winery (for the ambiance!)
- Fielding Estate Winery (for the igloos!)
- Flat Rock Cellars (the view!)
- Good Earth Vineyard & Winery (great for lunch!)
- Rosewood Estates Winery (for the mead!)
There are also several breweries in the Niagara Region, as well as cideries and distilleries.
And There You Have It…
…five PERFECT ways to explore the Niagara Region. We hope you find these resources helpful in planning your trip to the area and welcome any questions you have about the region that we call home. We leave you now, with a poem written by a fellow lover of the Niagara Escarpment.
Lichen spores land as lint
gently on the cuffs of my jeans
like fingerprints land
on escalator rails
that way my ankles carry ongoing conversations
between two tiers of the Bruce Trail
this way my walk serves
an evolutionary purpose, symbiotic, unselfish,
the denim telegraph and DNA Morse code
cotton-borne between limestones
cuff to cuff to sock receivers
brushing escarpment trails
Escarpment Spore by Terry Trowbridge (York University) 2018
Note: Be sure to set yourself up properly for a day of exploring wineries, breweries and or distilleries by ensuring you have a designated driver. And as always, consume responsibly. And there are several companies that offer winery tours, for example.
Have you visited the Niagara Region before? We’d love to hear about your experience below!
Looking for another great Canadian adventure? Check out Churchill , Manitoba!
Niagara is definitely on my ‘DO’ list and this part of the region will be great to explore, thanks for the tips….
You are most welcome Jeanine! You won’t regret a week/weekend of exploring this part of Ontario. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions when you get around to planning your trip. Safe travels 🙂
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Wow, awesome ideas! I’d love to bike ride through he agricultural country roads
Thanks Katy! We have friends that make a wine cycling trip every summer. It’s a truly magical experience if you ever get the chance!
I never knew about all these things to do near Niagara! Thanks for sharing
You are most welcome Komal! So glad you enjoyed the post and learned from it. Stay well!
Thank you for sharing these tips! Niagara is on my list on places to visit when we can. Also, love how detailed your description is of this area.
You are most welcome Yara! Always happy to share our favourite places 🙂 Feel free to reach out if you have any questions when planning your trip. Stay well!
I love Niagara. I mostly just do the wineries! So, next time I’ll have to get some hiking in too. 🙂
Loved reading the post. You took me to Niagara virtually.
Thank you so much Anukrati! Glad you enjoyed the post.
I actually got excited when I saw that it was going to be a nerdy post! I love detailed guides. Really want to make it to Canada some day to explore.
Glad you enjoyed the post Nicola! If you ever get a chance to make the trip, feel free to reach out with any questions about the area! Safe travels!
I always enjoy driving through this region on my way to Niagara Falls. We’ve been on the Bruce Trails before but haven’t stopped at any stalls or gone to a winery – next time!
If you’re timeline allows for it, definitely jump off the QEW onto 8/81. It’s a really beautiful drive! Stay well.
I live here, right down the road from Bench!!! Great recommendations! Living in Niagara certainly has its advantages like hiking trails and all the breweries and cideries you’ve recommended.
So awesome Sarah! I grew up in the Pelham area. Have hiked those trails for years and am missing it very much. Try to make the most of it every time we visit 🙂 Enjoy!!
Niagra is on our short list! This looks beautiful. I am looking forward to the hikes.
That’s so great to hear Yvonne! Feel free to reach out when you get to the planning stage. Safe travels 🙂
I visited Niagara (Canada side) and experienced ice wine for the first time. We had a private dinner at a winery and the owner spoke to us. Incredible!
What a wonderful experience Terri! Icewine is truly the regions’ treasure. We’re glad to hear you had such a wonderful experience!
I’ve always heard that Niagara Falls is better seen on the Canadian side! I hope it gets easier to cross the border soon – sounds like I have the whole Niagara region to explore!
It is so beautiful! We were glad the border “opened up” in time for us to get home for the holidays and we spent a lot of time outside during this last visit. And you’re right Ada, it has so much to offer! Safe travels 🙂
I’ve not yet been to Canada, but this looks like a stunning area to visit. I’d love to visit the Niagara Falls and the hiking sounds impressive too.
The area has so much to offer Jan! Niagara Falls is of course a popular choice for a first-time trip to Canada. If you find yourself heading that way, feel free to reach out with any trip planning questions you might have. Safe travel!
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