Interested in doing a bicycle tour in the Niagara Region?
Easy for me to do as I live in nearby Toronto. So a group of friends and I decided to do a multi-day cycling tour of the area.
Although the September weather forecast was poor, our group decided to proceed with our Niagara Bicycle Touring Adventure anyway, after all the campground reservations had been made, and some had been training for weeks. This trip was to be on the Canadian side of the border.
Days 1 – Burlington to Bronte Cycling
We started the cycle tour by taking the GO commuter train from Toronto to Burlington and then a short 12 km ride to Bronte Provincial Park. On weekends, the train goes to Niagara Falls and carries bicycles, and there is a weekend pass available.
Day 2 – Bronte to Brantford Cycling
The next day had to be one of the toughest sections of the trip as we navigated traffic to the Waterfront Trail, actually a short ride from our campsite. We followed the Waterfront Trail west and through Hamilton, where we continued to the Dundas Valley.
Dundas
At the Dundas Valley Trail Centre in the Conservation Area, we joined the Brantford to Paris Rail Trail (hard-packed), for 32 km (20 miles), riding through the beautiful scenery of the countryside.
Brantford
Then we joined the local Brantford Trails (paved), which went over the Grand River and right by the entrance to Brant Conservation Park, our campground, for a distance of just over 90 km.
The tenting area of Brant Conservation Park was nearly empty during our September visit, so it was easy to access the showers. I also checked out the park’s Milkes Dam Walking Trail on the Grand River, which runs along a canoe portage for a good portion. There were also plenty of herons checking out the river near the dam.
Day 3 – Brantford to Rocky Point Provincial Park Cycling
Our plan was to cycle a route that took us to Simcoe, where we would join the Lynn Valley Trail, which would lead us to Port Dover on Lake Erie, famous for its restaurants featuring perch. We were then to continue to Turkey Point Provincial Park.
However, the forecast was for heavy rain the next day, so we skipped Turkey Point and rode for a full day along quiet, picturesque country roads near the Grand River, through the Six Nations Reservation to Dunnsville and Rocky Point Provincial Park, a distance of 100 km. Surprisingly, in late September, this park was very busy. Our campsite was near the beach, and we could hear the waves lapping against the shore.
We had a sag wagon, and no one felt like cooking, so it was off to Squire’s Pizza on a dinner run in Dunnsville as the rain started. The sag wagon also carried a kitchen tent, so everyone in our group of 8 was dry as we enjoyed the pizza. Much better than hanging out in the small tents we brought.
Day 4 – Rocky Point Provincial Park
The rain stopped in the early morning, and it was actually a nice day, so a walk on the park nature trail was in order. Again, for dinner, it was back to Dunnsville, this time to an award-winning Fish and Chips wagon. By the time we got back to the campsite with the food, the winds had picked up, and so had the rain. The Eureka kitchen tent fits 2 picnic tables perfectly, which was convenient as we enjoyed our dinner by the camp lantern.
Day 5 – Rocky Point to Ridgemont Cycling
Again, the rain stopped in the early morning, but we woke up to puddles of water everywhere. Fortunately, no one had their tent flooded.
Port Colborne & the Welland Canal
Today, the route took us along the shores of Lake Erie on the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. Most of the route was along very scenic County Road 3 with almost no traffic. Coming into Port Colborne, the route went along the town’s bike path and eventually to the Welland Canal. There is a paved bicycle route along the Welland Canal going all the way to Lake Ontario, but that was not our goal today.
Friendship Trail
After lunch at a Café beside the canal, we continued the Niagara Bicycle Touring Adventure along the Canada-US Friendship Trail, a very flat rail trail that took us right to our campground. Windmill Point Park is a private campground set around a former spring-fed quarry.
Our issue was setting up the tents in the fierce winds. Fortunately, there was an event tent not in use, which seemed to protect us from the winds somewhat when we sat down to dinner.
Day 6 – Ridgemont to Jordon Station Cycling
Again, it was raining lightly when we woke up, but by the time we finished breakfast, it had stopped, and the sun came out. We continued our cycle tour along the Canada-US Friendship Trail into Fort Erie at our own pace.
This next section is part of the 140 km Greater Niagara Circle Route which goes around this part of the Niagara Peninsula, part of the fantastic trail system going through the Niagara Wine Country. A branch follows the cycle paths for an exploration of the historic Welland Canal, going all the way to Lake Ontario, but we would leave that for another day.
Fort Erie
Right by historic Fort Erie (also the river from Buffalo, New York), we joined the Niagara River Recreation Trail, a dedicated bike path. Fort Erie was one of the numerous historic sites we would pass while cycling this section. This scenic bicycle trail follows the Niagara River and Niagara Parkway to Chippawa, where we stopped for lunch beside the Tim Horton’s (coffee shop) and the river.
Niagara Falls
Then we continued along the bike path over the power station, where you need to go on the road, but we stopped to view the most famous waterfall. Continuing along the road to just outside of the city of Niagara Falls, after a long uphill, the separate cycle path restarted. Past famous attractions include a spectacular view of the whirlpool, botanical gardens, floral clock, and Queenston Heights Park.
If you have extra time, you can continue along the Niagara Recreation Trail to internationally known Inniskillin and others for a wine tasting. In particular, ice wine from the Niagara Region is very popular.
Queenston Heights
Queenston is a good place for a picnic lunch as there are plenty of tables and washrooms. You may also wish to view the historic Brock Monument, dating from the War of 1812.
At Queenston, go down the Niagara Escarpment on the bike lane and turn left onto Regional Road 81 over the Welland Canal and through St. Catharines, crossing the Welland Canal Parkway Trail, next to the St. Lawrence Seaway. However, we continue to Jordon Station and Big Valley Camping Resort. We were lucky to arrive when we did, as the owner mentioned they were expecting over 300 cyclists the next day.
Day 7 – Jordon Station to Burlington Cycling
At this stage, we crossed the Niagara Escarpment and along some back roads through the wine country with vineyards on both sides until reaching the Waterfront Trail. Then it was along the shores of Lake Ontario back to Burlington to end our week-long journey. We had seen a lot of history, scenic roadways, massive waterfalls, and much more.
FAQs: Niagara Cycling
Can you cycle around Niagara Falls?
There are numerous cycling routes in the Niagara area. The Niagara Recreation Trail goes right through the city of Niagara Falls, Canada, passing the famous falls. It runs from Fort Erie to Niagara-on-the-Lake.
How long is the Niagara Circle Route?
It is a 140 km circle cycling route that includes the Niagara Recreation Trail 56 km), a section of the Waterfront Trail (18 km), the Welland Canal Parkway Trail (42 km), and the Friendship Trail (24 km).
Can you bike around Niagara on the Lake?
Besides cycling around this historic town, the Niagara Recreation Trail starts next to Fort George, and the Waterfront Trail starts in the town.
Niagara Regional Map
Wrap-up: Niagara Bicycle Touring Adventure
While the cycling tour above was in September, my personal favorite time to visit the area is in the spring when the trees are in blossom. For general information on the area, check out the Tourism Niagara website. For information on other Canadian cycling routes, click the link.
Also, to let you know, this route connects with the Waterfront Trail all the way to the Quebec border. The Niagara route is best for anyone looking for a scenic ride over mostly well-signed bike paths.
