Are you looking to plan a trip to the Niagara Glen?
I have two words, “DO IT!”
And I have another 2500 words or so to share on why you should go, what you can expect, and how to prepare for hiking the Niagara Glen. Because after my first visit to the park this past October, I’m officially hooked and want you to experience the magic within this special area of Niagara Falls.
This park first starts with a grassy stroll along a paved path, and I honestly didn’t do much research, not knowing what to expect as we had a guide. But then we came upon a 9-story set of metal stairs with us looking down over a canopy of crimson red, yellow gold, and burnt orange leaves deep in the Niagara Gorge. The backdrop was the Niagara River and the scene had been set, a picture-perfect postcard waiting to be explored.
So while we went in the beautiful fall foliage season, I know that Niagara Glen is a beautiful park to hike and explore no matter what season you visit. So let’s dig into this article that breaks down what the Glen is, what to expect, hiking preparation, and other park amenities worth checking out.
Niagara Glen
The Niagara Glen is a designated nature reserve managed by the Niagara Parks Commission. Niagara Parks invites you to explore the Glen, one of the last remaining areas of old-growth Carolinian Forests in the Niagara Region.
Set deep in the Niagara Gorge, visitors get to wander through well-marked trails that will wind you through boulders that were left behind as the Niagara Falls eroded through the area, thousands of years ago. The forest is alive from the high canopy above to the ground below with delicate mosses, rich ferns, and some of the largest trees of their kind calling the park home. Keep your eyes out for fossils scientists have identified showing marine life from an ancient sea!
The Carolinian Life Zone
The Niagara Peninsula is part of the Carolinian Life Zone, a deciduous forest region named after the Carolina states. In Canada, the Carolinian Life Zone is a small band across Southern Ontario, which has the most productive and endangered assortment of plant and animal species in Canada!
Fun Fact: Over 490 vulnerable plant and animal species can be found in the Niagara Glen. Because of the reserve’s sensitive nature, please be sure to observe all posted regulations, stay on marked trails, and follow hiking best practices. As the saying goes, “Take only photos, leave only footprints.”
Where is the Niagara Glen?
The Niagara Glen is a short 9-minute drive down from Niagara Falls along the Niagara Parkway. It is located in the Niagara Gorge, so after you park your car, you’ll walk down the path to the gorge entrance. The entrance is unique in itself, with an incredible lookout at the top of the gorge, you’ll then descend a 9-story metal staircase with grates on the bottom that you can see through.
Once you are at the bottom there are 4 km of well-marked hiking trails to explore. And when I say well marked, I mean it! This is the BEST markings I have ever seen on a trail, making it very easy to navigate.
If you’re not comfortable with heights, the entrance can be a bit challenging as you’re walking down see-through metal grates. Tip: Keep looking up and out at the beautiful scenery and you’ll be down the stairs before you know it.
Niagara Glen Address: 3050 Niagara Pkwy, Niagara Falls, ON
Note For Dog Owners
Many dog owners have shared that this part of the hike was challenging for their pets and they opted to carry them. The sensation of being able to see through the floor was unnerving for pets and the grates probably didn’t feel great on their little paws.
Niagara Glen Map
Once you land at the entrance to the Niagara Glen you’ll be greeted by a huge Niagara Glen trails map of the park. I always take a photo of the map to reference when hiking in case we don’t have cell service or are having difficulty navigating the trail. However, this wouldn’t be the case at the Glen, as trails are all colour-coded and very well marked along the path.
Looking at the Niagara Glen trail map it was easy to see that the longest route for the hike would be the outer loop, a 4km trail around the outside of the park, and would allow us to walk alongside the Niagara River. We were on a tight schedule for the day so seeing that there was also a lot of interconnected system of trails that allowed us to loop back to the trailhead at any time (especially great if you’re hiking with littles).
Niagara Glen Trail
Length: 2.4km – 4km depending on route
Elevation Gain: 60 meters
Difficulty: Moderate/Intermediate
Type of Hike: Loop(s)
The Niagara Glen hiking trail is considered an intermediate hike as the terrain covers uneven ground as you navigate between several prehistoric geological formations including large boulders bigger than cars! There are rocky sections along with some infrequent obstacles; and short steep sections that can be slippery giving the trail a more intermediate rating. The actual hiking and elevation change is minor (in the hiking world) only 60 meters (or 200 feet) so it really is the skillful navigation of some slippery rocks that you need to be mindful of. In short, be sure to wear proper footwear!
The trail has many open areas for sitting in nature and soaking in the sights and sounds of Mother Nature. Whether you choose to sit out in the warm sun, or seek shade under the canopy of trees, this is a hike that is meant to be traversed slowly, allowing you to soak it all in. Please note, there are no benches for sitting so look for natural chairs in rocks and logs.
The scenery along the trail, as well as at the lookouts, is spectacular and some of my favourite sights and photography from my trip to Niagara Falls came from the Niagara Glen. With the beautiful turquoise pop of the Niagara River, it really is an extraordinary treasure. I think it would be equally mesmerizing to visit in the winter, but proper footwear including spikes would be recommended.
Peak Season:
Since the park only has one access point via a metal staircase, this park can get quite busy during peak season. Niagara Parks may do crowd management and limit access during these times to avoid visitors from having to wait in long lines and ensure safety measures are in place.
This trail is NOT for you if:
- You have mobility challenges and can not navigate multiple flights of stairs (up and down).
- You use a mobility aid, such as a cane.
- You don’t have proper footwear (no flip-flops!).
Indigenous Tour of The Glen
If you’re looking to take your hiking experience to a new level and learn more about the local Indigenous culture I recommend getting the Rekindling All Our Relations audio tour. This audio journey was curated by Michele-Elise Burnett and the soundtrack was engineered by William Riech Jr., both respected members of Niagara’s Indigenous community. Michele-Elise and William are Metis with Algonquin roots and members of the Bear Clan. They have profound respect for their Indigenous heritage and a passion for sharing the teachings of their ancestors with visitors to the park.
This complimentary audio tour is a unique way to experience the Niagara Glen and learn Indigenous wisdom through the power of storytelling and integrated sound. The goal of the tour is to invite visitors to build a connection and understanding that “goes beyond the physical beauty of the Niagara Glen.” The soundtrack crafted by William integrates a sonic landscape including sounds of the Niagara Glen, taking the storytelling to a multi-sensory level and helping you craft deeper connections with the land.
Audio Tour App Information
You can access the Indigenous audio tour via an app on your phone or by borrowing a physical handheld audio device from the Niagara Glen Nature Centre. Rekindling All Our Relations is available for download on both Apple and Google streaming platforms.
Niagara Glen Nature Centre
If you’re an information seeker like me, I recommend stopping at the Niagara Glen Nature Centre before you head off on your hike. Although not mandatory, the Nature Centre is a great place to get visitor information, sign up for guided hiking tours, get bouldering permits (more about those below), as well as educational programming.
I also would be remiss if I didn’t give Niagara Parks a shout-out for their incredible souvenirs! As someone who visits hundreds of souvenir shops a year, the Niagara Parks swag is a whole other level. With modern designs and practical application, I loved shopping in their store and picked out a water bottle and “had to have” tank top that says, “Tree hugger” (could it get any better for me?).
So be sure to stop in the Niagara Glen Nature Center if “nature calls” (their bathrooms are great), to stock up on snacks, and check out all of the other amenities the centre offers.
Nature Exchange Ethical Trading System
One of the programs you can learn about at the Niagara Glen Nature Centre is The Nature Exchange Ethical Trading System. This educational program invites visitors of all ages to learn about the geology unique to the Niagara Glen as well as the almost 500 unique flora and fauna that call the area home.
The program encourages you to embrace Niagara Parks “Leave No Trace” principles and collect rocks via photographs, drawings, stories, descriptions, and other non-damaging collection methods. You can then trade those rock, shell, and fossil photos in exchange for points. Stop by the Niagara Glen Nature Centre to learn more and sign up for this unique educational program.
Guided Hiking Tours at The Niagara Glen
Have you ever done a guided hiking tour? If this is your first time I think a guided hiking tour at the Niagara Glen would be the perfect spot. With over 400 million years of geology, a unique protected forest, and over 400 unique flora and fauna, there’s so much to discover. A Niagara Parks Naturalist will welcome you on a guided tour to provide you with an educational insight into the park through hands-on demonstrations and storytelling.
Tours are available in the Spring and Summer at 11 am and 2 pm and you can sign up at the Niagara Glen Nature Centre. If you have more questions or want to learn about availability call 905-354-6678.
Bouldering at the Niagara Glen
When we were hiking out of the Glen, we saw several groups and some individuals heading into the park with what looked like HUGE backpacks on. I mean, 4 or so feet tall and 3 feet wide (and they looked heavy!) backpacks. I didn’t have my contacts in, so I had to take another look and our guide shared with us that they were bouldering mats and that the Niagara Glen was a very popular spot for bouldering.
It made a lot of sense to me after spending the morning hiking up, around, and through ginormous rocks. The bouldering mats would be used by climbers who would lay them on the ground, giving them a soft spot to fall when they were climbing. Bouldering is a very popular sport for locals and there is a vibrant community of climbers who recreate in the Glen.
Bouldering Permits
Permits are required for those who want to boulder in the Niagara Glen. Permits, waivers, and supplies are available for purchase at the Niagara Glen Nature Centre. Alternatively, you can fill out the permits and waivers online and pick them up at the Nature Centre before bouldering (if the Niagara Glen Nature Centre is closed for the season you can pick up your permits at the Butterfly Conservatory).
Niagara Glen Parking
If you take your car to the Niagara Glen, be sure to pay for parking. Depending on how long you plan to stay there, you can park by the hour or for the day. If you’re looking to hit up multiple points of interest in Niagara Falls I would park in one central location (such as at the Table Rock Welcome Centre) and then take the WEGO bus to visit the top sites in Niagara Falls.
“WEGO is the hop-on, hop-off visitor transportation system that connects all Niagara Parks locations to your hotel as well as other Niagara Falls tourism areas.” If you choose to purchase the Niagara Parks Adventure Pass, you get 2-days of unlimited rides on the WEGO bus system, alternatively, a day pass is $11.50 for an adult and $7.96 for a child.
But be warned – Don’t risk the ticket, the parking lots are closely monitored and those without a valid parking pass will get a ticket.
Note of Safety – Niagara River
The Niagara River is a class 6 river with racing rapids. While some smaller slow-moving, pools shoot off towards the trails, the river is NOT to be entered and wading and swimming is NOT SAFE. Many people have been injured or lost their life due to the quick changes that the river can make, such as when the dam is open or closed and the river levels change dramatically in a matter of minutes. Combine that with the powerful undertow that the current brings; this is a river that must be respected from a distance and not entered under any circumstances.
A trip to Niagara Falls isn’t complete without a visit to the Niagara Glen. The unique entrance down the 9 story staircase, the winding trails through boulders, and the views out over the raging Niagara River, all make for a perfect hike and a unique way to experience the region!
