The Niagara Glen offers one of the region's most immersive natural experiences, dropping hikers down a metal stairway into a pocket of old-growth Carolinian forest hemmed in by towering gorge walls. Several kilometres of unpaved paths thread between house-sized boulders and 400-million-year-old rock formations, tracing the river past Class VI whitewater and the edge of the Niagara Whirlpool.
The terrain is genuinely rugged, with significant elevation change and uneven footing, so sturdy footwear is essential. A nature centre at the top of the gorge provides trail information, guided hikes and bouldering permits, and there is no admission fee to explore the trails themselves.
