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Our region has many walking and hiking trails that offer unique features in natural settings.
Ball's Falls - Vineland
Located on Sixth Avenue, just east of Victoria Avenue (Hwy 24), is this 567
hectare historical park and conservation area. The Bruce Trail, Twenty Valley
Trail and other trail systems are marked throughout the natural areas of Ball’s
Falls.
Beamer Memorial - Grimsby
Beamer Memorial is located on Quarry Road just north of Ridge Road. This area
features picturesque views of the Forty Mile Creek Valley, the Lake Ontario
shoreline and the escarpment ridge. Marked nature trails provide access to
three observation platforms, one of which is wheelchair accessible.
Chippawa Creek - near Wellandport
Entrance to this area is off Creek Road (Regional Road 45), just west of Regional
Road 27. The 148-hectare conservation area offers nature trails, a lakeside
recreation trail and a marshland boardwalk with wheelchair access.
Long Beach Conservation Area - Wainfleet
Located west of Hwy 3 on Long Beach Road (Regional Road 3) is Long Beach Conservation
Area. This area features 915 metres of sandy beach and 56 hectares of groomed
hiking trails through open areas and natural forest lands.
Louth Conservation Area - Lincoln County
Louth Conservation Area is located east of 17th Street on Staff Road. The
area is located along side of Sixteen Mile Creek. This area provides access
to the Bruce Trail for hiking and a magnificent view of the stream as it cascades
over a 50-foot waterfall and flows over a rocky stream below the escarpment.
Morgan's Point Conservation Area - Wainfleet
This area is located on Morgan’s Point Road, just south of Lakeshore
Road. Hike along the lakefront bedrock shoal outcrop, sand dunes, tall grass
meadow, woodlot and open areas to appreciate nature.
Mountainview Conservation Area - Lincoln County
Located south of King Street on Mountainview Road, Mountainview Conservation
Area provides another access point for the Bruce Trail. Unique views of the
Iroquois plain and Lake Ontario can be seen from various look points throughout
the area.
Mud Lake - Port Colborne
Mud Lake is located off of Elm Street, south of Regional Road 23, and is situated
beside the old Welland Canal. This is a wetland property that has short trails
that lead to observation sites where many migratory birds can be viewed.
Rockway Conservation Area, Vineland
Rockway Conservation Area is located alongside Fifteen Mile Creek. To access
this area enter from Ninth Street, just south of Highway 81 (King Street).
This 126-hectare area provides access to the Bruce Trail and an ideal spot
for hiking, bird watching and appreciating nature.
St. John's Conservation Area - Pelham
St. John’s Conservation Area is located on Hollow Road, just north of
Baron Road. Walkers will find nature trails that feature the unique Carolinian
zone and a small cold water trout pond.
Stevensville Conservation Area - Fort Erie
Access this 49-hectare site on Ott Road, just north of Main Street. Stroll
through this area’s
Carolinian forest, meandering Black Creek and wetland to appreciate nature.
Wainfleet Wetlands Conservation Area - Wainfleet
Found south of Hwy 3 on Quarrie Road is this 179-hectare property that features
wetlands, woodlots and two large abandoned limestone quarries. Short trails
lead to quarry sites where bass can be observed.
Woodend Conservation Area - Niagara-on-the-Lake
Woodend Conservation Area spans 45 hectares atop of the Niagara Escarpment
and encompasses hiking trails marked throughout the Carolinian forest. Entrance
to this area is off Taylor Road. Travel south from the Q.E.W. exit 38, Glendale
Avenue/York Road, to access Taylor Road.
Woolverton Conservation Area - Grimsby
Located on Woolverton Road, south of Main Street West, is this 18-hectare
area. Woolverton Conservation Area features a hardwood forest, along the Bruce
Trail, that allows walkers to bird watch and appreciate nature.
Friendship Trail
This is a 13.6-kilometre asphalt and paved multi-use trail that extends from
Gorham Road in Ridgeway to Historic Fort Erie on Lakeshore Road at Niagara
Boulevard. This includes travelling along Edgemere Road and Lakeshore Road.
Eventually, this trail will be connected to the Niagara River Parkway Recreation
Trail and to Port Colborne. The Friendship Trail is part of the Trans Canada
Trail Link.
Baden Powell Park
Formerly known as Grassybrook Park, Baden Powell Park is located on Montrose
Road, south of the Welland River. This park offers a naturalized, walking
area.
Chippawa Lions Park Fitness Pathway
A 2 kilometre asphalt pathway of two large loops is located south of Main
Street long Oliver Street. This pathway is lit for evening walking.
E.E. Mitchelson Park
Access the park area off of Glendoone Street, just south of Huggins Street.
An asphalt trail exists between the senior soccer pitch and the remaining
soccer pitches. Walking loops can be followed to the west in the vicinity
of St. Paul High School or to the east around Notre Dame School.
Haulage Road Trail
This 1.5-kilometre asphalt route is located on a former Haulage Road. Access
the route’s northern point by travelling south-east from the Mountain
Road and Dorchester Road intersection to St. Paul Avenue.
Heartland Forest
Experience the natural features and accessible trails and facilities on this unique property. The trails are open daily to the public from early morning to dusk. General admission to use the hiking trails is by donation.
John N. Allan Park
Access this walking trail off of Kalar Road, just north of McLeod Road. Walk
along the asphalt pathway or take the short natural loop through the existing
wooded area.
Millennium Trail
This asphalted trail extends 2 kilometres from McLeod Road at Oakwood Drive
to Lundy's Lane. Notice the various trees, birds and wildlife as you walk
along the trail.
Niagara Parkway - Niagara Glen to the Floral Clock
This 6-kilometre route starts at the Niagara Gorge (located on Niagara Parkway),
continues along the Parkway to the Botanical Gardens and ends at the Floral
Clock. Take a walk down the Gorge to extend your walk and increase your walk’s
physical demand.
Niagara River Parkway Recreation Trail
This 56-kilometre trail runs parallel to the Niagara River and is a part of
Trans Canada Trail Link. The trail begins at Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake
and ends at Anger Street in Fort Erie. Begin your walk anywhere along this
multi-use, paved trail to enjoy the natural features of Fort Erie.
NS & T Right of Way
The NS & T Right of Way (Niagara, St. Catharines & Toronto Right of
Way) consists of a natural pathway from Meadowvale Drive to Drummond Road.
This route passes through Meadowvale and Lind Sommerville Parks and crosses
a number of streets. To complete a loop, travel south along Drummond Road,
west along Morrison Street, then north along Dorchester Road.
Oakes Park Track/Fairview Cemetery
Oakes Park, located on Morrison Street just west of Stanley Avenue, offers
a rubberized surface and lighting at night. Across the street, Fairview Cemetery
allows you to lengthen your walk as you follow the nice walking path around
its perimeter.
Shriners Woodlot/Mount Carmel Parks
Both parks a
re located on Mount Carmel Boulevard, just west of Montrose Road.
Through connected pathway systems both of these areas offer a quiet walk in
a natural setting.
Steve Bauer Trail
This 6-kilometre multi-use trail stretches from Fonthill to Welland. Begin
your walk in Fonthill at Quaker Road and Line Avenue. Follow the stone chip
rail bed, roads and stone chip path through several developments and end at
the Welland River.
Welland Canals Parkway Trail
Follow this stone dust trail along the Welland Canal from Welland to Sugarloaf
Harbour in Port Colborne. Sections running from Port Colborne to Fort Erie
are under construction.
Bruce Trail
The Bruce Trail is a continuous footpath that follows the Niagara Escarpment
from Queenston to Tobermory. A 20-kilometre section with associated side trails
winds through St. Catharines. Points of interest along the route include Short
Hills Provincial Park, Morningstar Mill, Brock University and all of the historical
Welland Canals.
Burgoyne Woods
Located in south St. Catharines on Edgedale Road, east of Glenridge Avenue,
this 49-hectare park is a nature lover's retreat. It features a front loop
that is paved and wheelchair accessible. The back loop is surfaced intermittently
with tar, wood chips, and exposed earth.
Green Ribbon Trail
Located on Old Martindale Road, this 529-metre path is bounded by Martindale
Road and Third Street Louth. Stations found along the path indicate particular
aspects of the wetland. Stations include information about plants, fish, birds,
reptiles, amphibians and mammals. This trail is a class one wetland and is
dedicated to missing children.
Harbour Walkway
Found in Port Dalhousie, this 3-kilometre trail is comprised of a combination
of stone dust, concrete, and boardwalk. This trail extends from the base of
the pier at Lakeside Park through the park to the commercial core area. The
walkway passes through Lockhart Point and ends at the Locktender's Shanty.
Merritt Trail
The Merritt Trail is an 11-kilometre stonedust and packed earthen surface,
multi-use trail. Begin your walk at Martindale Road and Lakeshore in west
St. Catharines and continue to Bradley Street and Townline Road in south St.
Catharines. Extend your walking distance to 45 kilometres by linking to the
Bruce Trail, Participark Trail, Green Ribbon and Waterfront trails.
Participark Trail
This 2-kilometre stone dust path winds through St. Catharines along the west
bank of Twelve Mile Creek valley between St. Paul Crescent and Glendale Avenue.
A loop can be made along the eastern bank of the creek, along a rougher natural
terrain path. Wheelchair access is available at all access points.
St. Catharines Trail Map
Begin your walk in Port Weller and connect to all of the St. Catharines Trails
system. A loop opportunity can be created using the abandoned rail line west
of Bunting Road.
Terry Fox Trail
The Terry Fox Trail is a 1.5-kilometre path in central St. Catharines that
extends from Carlton Street to Geneva Street. Visit the six exercise stations
to intensify your walk. Exercises with instructions are included at each station.
Walker's Creek Trail
A stonedust path begins on Linwell Road and follows the meandering waters
of Walker's Creek to Cindy Drive.
Waterfront Trail
The Waterfront Trail is a 325-kilometre trail that winds along the Lake Ontario
shoreline from Trenton to Niagara-on-the-Lake. In the Niagara Region, start
your walk at Third Street Louth and Main Street in Port Dalhousie. Make your
way towards Lakeshore Road and Read Road to experience a rich variety of natural
settings.
Talbot Trail
The trail extends nearly 200 kilometres from Windsor to Fort Erie with sections
following Highway 3 through Wainfleet and Port Colborne. Hikers will enjoy
the natural and scenic attractions of the Carolinian forests.
Merritt Island
This 4.2-kilometre multi-use trail begins at a parking lot just north of the
Welland Water Treatment Plant and runs north between the old canal and the
Welland River. A paved path, with a small section of stone chip trail, runs
beside the Welland River.
Stop 19 Trail
Begin your walk north of Thorold Road West and continue along the Welland
River to Quaker Road. Here, the trail joins to the Steve Bauer trail. This
4.4-kilometre trail is mainly stone dust and is accessible by wheelchairs
and strollers.
Welland Canals Parkway Trail
This is a multi-use, asphalt trail that will stretch from Lakeshore Road,
St. Catharines to Clarence Street, Port Colborne. To date, a 10-kilometre
section from Lakeshore Road to the flight locks in Thorold is complete. As
well, a rougher East Side Trail along a portion of the canal is planned.
Greater Niagara Circle Route
This 100-kilometre trail system unites several different paved paths. Portions
of the trail are already complete and the remainder will be constructed over
the next few years. Trails of the Greater Niagara Circle Route include: Welland
Canals Trail, Friendship Trail, Niagara River Parkway Recreation Trail and
the Waterfront Trail.
Short Hills Provincial Park
This 688-hectare natural environment features six established trails designated
as either shared use hiking/cycling/horseback riding or as hiking only. Three
different access points to the park can be found on Roland Road in Pelham,
Wiley Road in Thorold or Pelham Road in St. Catharines.