Discover the incredible beauty of the Niagara Glen.
With pathways leading to the edge of the Niagara River, rich flora and fauna, natural marvels and more! You can hike your way through the several fascinating trails in this nature reserve. It is located inside the Niagara Gorge, near the Niagara Parkway. Explore the splendour of the forest and acquaint yourself with the area’s geological history. While there are guided tours available, you can also navigate the trails on your own. Before you embark on the trails, you can take a look at the trail map. It has estimated completion times and even photograph it to help you along.
As you move along the trails, you will see the pathways, trees, rocks, etc., marked with the appropriate colour to help you explore the trails.
Your hike begins as you climb down a long staircase deep into the gorge. Choose your trail and view several captivating facets of the gorge, the river, boulders and forest life. You can also see the swirling waters of the Niagara Whirlpool! Walk along the natural pathways and see the plant life including trees such as sassafras, cedar, maples, and staghorn sumacs. There are several endangered plant and shrub species as well.
Dramatic rock formations are another interesting aspect. There are massive boulders and limestone rocks that are witnesses to the ancient geological history of the area. A fascinating feature of the rocks are potholes that formed due to erosion over several years. This resulted in huge, deep holes inside the limestone. Additionally, keep an eye out for animal life. This includes species at risk such as the Northern Dusky Salamander, that can be found along the face of the gorge and the Snapping Turtle.
As you make your way towards the river, gorgeous views of the flowing water will make your hike truly worth it. Be careful near the shoreline and avoid climbing on rocks and boulders to avert accidents. While all the trails are of moderate difficulty, the Whirlpool Trail is a difficult one so you can skip it if it is not in your comfort zone. Barring that trail, you need standard fitness levels to navigate the other trails, the stairways and various parts of the reserve.
If you wish to relax and enjoy a picnic, you can do so in the flat areas of the reserve such as Wintergreen Flats. For thrilling adventure activities, try bouldering. You can enquire about bouldering at the Niagara Glen Nature Centre which is also the place to register for a bouldering permit as well as guided hiking tours of the reserve. Refreshments are also available. Keep in mind all safety regulations during the hike and respect the plant and animal life in the reserve. Remember to wear appropriate footwear and carry drinking water.
Go ahead, experience the scenic vistas at the Niagara Glen!
