Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
this point,many hikers choose toreturn tothe beginning ofthe Whirlpool Trail. Those who
want to keep exploring the Niagara Glen Paths may want to start at the trailhead of the
Niagara Glen system, rather than from the Whirlpool Trail.
To find the Whirlpool trailhead, proceed north along Niagara Parkway, passing the aero
car attraction. After the next intersection at Whirlpool Road, look fora small parking lot on
the right side of the road. Park and look for the stairwell.
Niagara Glen Paths
Within Niagara Glen Park lies the trailhead for the
Niagara Glen Paths
(3050 Niagara Pk-
wy., 905/354-6678, dawn-dusk daily). The paths consist of seven trails that add up to a ro-
bust five miles. Individual paths are named and blazed with the following color codes: Ter-
racePath(red),CliffsidePath(white),TrilliumPath(lightblue),CobblestonePath(purple),
Woodland Path (yellow), Eddy Path (green), River Path (blue).
Starting from the 55-foot-tall steel staircase, take the trail north to the Cliffside Path.
Followingthispath,you'llintersectwiththeTerracePath.Headdown(turnleft),andyou'll
encounter stone stairs and amazing boulders. The Terrace Path ends when you reach the
RiverPaththatrunsalongtheriver'sedge.ThisportionoftheGlenPathsrevealsthesplen-
did Carolinian Forest with its beech and tulip trees.
As you head upstream along the River Path, you'll see the green water and the steep
wall of the gorge on the U.S. side of the river. This relatively flat terrain contains sumac,
sassafras, and cedar trees. Eventually you will reach the Eddy Path that reconnects you to
the Cliffside Path. End the hike by returning to the steel staircase and trailhead. In Niagara
Glen Park, head down the grassy hill toward the large pavilion. Continue to the rim of the
gorge and you'll find the stairs.
Biking is quickly gaining in popularity in the Niagara region. The
Niagara Recreational
Trail
(
www.niagaraparksnature.com
)providesasafe,paved35-milepathalongtheNiagara
River from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario.
In the Niagara Falls area, two shops offer bike rentals.
Mac's Bike Rentals
(5956 Clark
Ave., 289/969-6227,
www.macsbikesniagara.com
, 9am-6pm May-Oct., $30 full-day rent-
al) has many styles of bikes. Each rental includes a helmet, lock, and self-guided tour map.
Parkyourcarattherental shopforfree,orthey'll deliver andpickupthebikeforyou(also
for free).
