Rather than a single trail, the Circle Route is a connected system that links the Niagara River Recreation Trail, the Welland Canals Parkway Trail, the Friendship Trail and the Waterfront Trail into one loop around the peninsula. Most of the surface is wide, flat and paved, which makes it popular with cyclists, walkers, runners and inline skaters, and long stretches run well away from traffic beside the water.
Because it passes through seven of Niagara's municipalities, the route strings together a remarkable mix of scenery and landmarks, from the falls and gorge along the Niagara Parkway to working shipping locks on the canal and quiet beaches on Lake Erie. The Niagara Region looks after upkeep of the route, and printed and online cycling maps break the loop into manageable day-ride segments.
