Niagara River Recreation Trail (Niagara Falls)

If you are looking for a casual stroll on a sunny Sunday, or a place to roller blade, bike or run, the Niagara River Recreation Trail is the perfect area to do so. This is a 53km path that starts in Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake and runs along the Niagara River and up to the Queenston/Lewiston border crossing. The trail passes through forest areas, parks, back roads and urban areas along the Niagara Parkway.

Some of the best features are the amazing lookout points, where you will find many tourists with the cameras (which shows the beauty and popularity of the area). My favorite resting point is at the Sir Isaac Brock Monument. This is a massive statue of the historical figure of the War of 1812. The statue is located in a beautiful area with lookouts, a restaurant, fields and picnic areas. Learn about the War of 1812 and historical significance to the area. Below, in the river, you may also see the Whirlpool Jet Tours racing by in the summer time.


While you are exploring this side of Niagara, I suggest that you check out some popular local wineries such as Reif Estate Winery, Lailey Vinyard, Peller Estates Winery and Inniskillin Wines.

Dufferin Quarry Bridge Trail (Milton)

If you are driving along highway 401 through Milton, between Guelph and Mississauga, you may notice a bridge up in the escarpment. It took me years to discover that there is a trail that leads to it! This is known as the Dufferin Quarry Bridge Trail.

The Bridge

This hike is quite long and will require more attention to the routes and paths that you take. Make sure to enter at the Hilton Falls Side Trail and stay along the Bruce Trail, marked with white trail blazes. This walk features a forest path with rocky cave areas to explore (as does many of the trails in this area). Once you reach the bridge you will have a scenic view of the active Dufferin Quarry, town of Milton and some of the near by golf courses. The only flaw of this trail is that you will have to walk 2 km on the side of the road, however this might be an easy stroll as it is a flat walk!

View of Dufferin Quarry

Note: There will be a small fee for parking at the Hilton Falls Side Trail parking lot.