Niagara Gorge Facts

The Niagara Gorge and it’s series of trails is a favourite amongst locals in Niagara Falls. Here’s more information on the Niagara Gorge and why it is so revered amongst locals & tourists alike.

Niagara Gorge Facts

How long is the Niagara Gorge?

The sheer force of the waters that rush along the Niagara River have resulted in a landscape a little more dramatic than the average riverbank. Over a 11-kilometre (6.8-mile) stretch running from Niagara Falls northward, is the Niagara Gorge.

How old is the rock in the Niagara Gorge

The gorge rock is a series of sedentary layers, known as strata – hundreds of million years ago, various layers of clay, mud, sand and various organic matter were pressed into pressurised layers. The Niagara River, first coming from melting ice sheets following the Ice Age 18,000 years ago, has effectively dug out several strata from the earth to form its riverbank. Looking across the river to the American side from the area around the Canadian town of Niagara Falls is a great way to see these different coloured layers of rock, clay and fossils.

How many KM of trails are in the Niagara Gorge?

Of course, the best way to see the geology of Niagara Gorge up close is through the 24 kilometres (15 miles) of hiking and walking tracks running along or near the gorge. Because of how interconnected they are, you can take on a single leg or explore a small isolated area (such as north of the whirlpool) or attempt the whole 11 kilometre movement from the falls to the end of the escarpment, a full afternoon of hiking.

Where are the best places to hike in the Niagara Gorge

The Niagara Gorge trail system has several entry points. On the Canadian side, some of the best trails are in Niagara Glen, a pristine strip of wilderness downriver from the whirlpool. On the US side, there’s a connected trail running the whole length of the gorge up to Queenston, with entry and exit points including the Niagara Whirlpool, Devil’s Hole State Park, and the US-based Niagara Gorge Discovery Center.

Where is the best place to view the Niagara Whirlpool

The best place toview the Whirlpool is at the bottom of the gorge! It’s accessible after a short 5-minute hike down a path to the Whirlpool. This pathway, along with parking, is accessible at 4013, 4009 Niagara Pkwy, Niagara Falls, ON L2E

There’s a lot to learn about Niagara Gorge – the way its rock layers have formed, the sights to see, the plants and trees that grow there, the variety of birdlife that call it home. But the best way to take it all in is to see the sights for yourself.

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