Canada is home to some of the finest hiking spots in North America, from Manitoba to Alberta. Yet if you want to combine hiking with fun extra activities, then the Niagara Glen should be at the top of your list. This incredible natural reserve is located on the Canadian side of the Niagara Gorge and boasts some of the most beautiful hiking trails not only in the Southern Ontario area, but in the whole of Canada.
The stunning trails of the Niagara Glen
It’s a piece of cake to find an excuse to plan a hiking trip to the Niagara Glen, but if you want some tips, take notes. Beautiful surrounding scenery, located near one of the most iconic nature marvels? Check. Ample choice of hiking trails of varying difficulty to choose from? Check. Situated within what is probably the best-preserved pocket of the area’s original Carolinian forest, booming with wonderful prehistoric rock formations and wild fauna? Check! This rare type of forest is linked to amazing biodiversity and means that you will walk along an abundance of tree species, like oak, chestnut, ash, birch and walnut.
Depending on the season, you might also be able to do some bird watching or run into squirrels and raccoons. The Glen is so popular because it is so unique. Starting off at the Niagara Gorge, you will find stairways to lead you to the beginning of roughly 4 kilometers of hiking pathways across the nature reserve that offers a stunning view at the Niagara Whirlpool and Falls. The Niagara Whirlpool Loop trail spans across 5.5 km and is of moderate difficulty, with most hikers being able to complete it in just over an hour and a half. It is incredibly popular as it offers a stunning view of the Whirlpool.
If you want something easier to start with, then go for the Whirlpool Trail, which is easier and only lasts around 45 mins across 2.1 km. Another relatively easy and exciting one is the White Walker Walk that leads you from the base of the Gorge to the Falls in a 4 km trail. For those who love hiking along interesting geological formations, then the Wooden Conservation Area trail is your best bet. Running in a loop across 3.2 km, it is easy and can be done in about an hour.
Looking for a bit of extra fun?
For more information on which trail is best for you, check out the official website of the Niagara Parks or stop by the Nature Centre. When you have had your fair share of nature for the day, you can always retreat to take advantage of the other amenities on offer in the area.
The Niagara Glen is located just 1 km away from the 18-hole Whirlpool Golf Course, which boasts of 7,019 yardage. If you are partial to golf, it is open to the public and hosts no less than 11,000 tournament rounds on an annual basis. If you are feeling lucky and crave a bit of glamour, you can always head over to the Fallsview Casino Resort. The vacation resort and casino spans across 200,000 sq. ft., and offers up some fantastic views and a wide range of casino table and machine offerings.
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It’s venues such as Fallsview that have seen vast improvements over the years, in terms of its casino offerings, which is, in part, inspired by the ever-growing and improving online casino sector. For example, with some online casino sites offering a huge range of diversified titles, such as classic table games and online slots, land-based brick-and-mortar venues have imminently followed suit. Developing from just a few poker tables for the rich and famous, to becoming accessible to all – though, arguably, the online casino sector was already ahead of the game when it came to accessibility.
Yet if you want the truly best view of the Falls, then climb one of the glass-enclosed elevators that will take you to the top of the 775 ft. Skylon Tower in just 52 seconds. As it rotates 360 degrees, you can see across over 8,000 sq. km. and up to 129 km ahead on a clear day. Treating yourself to a fine dining experience with an unbeatable view is probably the best way to reward yourself for a great day of hiking. Last but not least, there is always the option of taking one of the famous tours aboard the Whirlpool Aero Car – an antique cable car that transfers you along the Whirlpool while you are suspended at 200 ft. above water.
No matter what your hiking skill level or your interests are, visiting the Niagara Glen and its surroundings is a truly thrilling and entertaining experience for any hiker.
