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Niagara
Escarpment
Escarpment
is the Popular Natural Attraction that connects Niagara Region and
Bruce
Peninsula
Niagara Escarpment is the favorite Ontario destination for ecotourism, Bruce Trail hiking, world acclaimed wine production and regional winery tours.
What is Niagara Escarpment?
The Escarpment is a cliff that forms the edge of the plateau over which Niagara Falls tumbles.The Escarpment is a backbone of Niagara, a long ridge of rock, vital natural link and home to numerous species, thrilling scenes and natural treasures like: cliffs, waterfalls, rivers, streams, gently rolling hills, numerous trails, forests, valleys and deep caves.
This ridge of land is characterized by a steep face on one side and gentle slope on the other.
As an important and unique natural wonder with its fragile ecology, it has been recognized by UNESCO and named as World Biosphere Reserve, one of only 15 biosphere reserves in Canada.
Niagara Escarpment
The Escarpment is one of Ontario’s premier tourism destinations and among Canada’s leading scenic landforms, with over 400 000 visits per year. If you like outdoor activities, this is a perfect place for you. You will join the army of hikers, cross-country skiers, canoeists, kayakers, wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and visitors who simply wants to admire the magnificent panorama of the Escarpment.
Niagara's part, Carolinian Canada Zone, stands for the southern part of the Escarpment.
Even being protected with the law against development, recognized provincially and internationally, this area is rapidly becoming urbanized.
Because of the fragile ecosystem, the Escarpment is the last bastion of nature and one of the most threatened natural areas of all Ontario.
The Escarpment
is where you will find the famous Bruce Trail
that stretches from Queenston Heights in the south of Ontario, to the
northern tip of Bruce Peninsula. This trail offers numerous opportunities for hiking, with many steep and rocky paths, parks, conservation areas, waterfalls tumbling over the cliffs and rugged beauty.
You will also find that the most popular Escarpment tourism highlights are ecotourism and world acclaimed wine region. Niagara Escarpment Commission encourages sustainable ecotourism, so you can freely explore this Niagara region, the cultural heritage and enjoy the astonishing scenery and recreational opportunities.
Thanks to the moderating micro climate effect of the Escarpment over Lake Ontario, ideal conditions are made for Niagara Region, to be one of Canada's prime agricultural areas, especially for premium grape and tender fruit production. This is why Niagara County is one of the finest grape growing regions in the world and this is why you will find numerous wineries in this area.
Facts about Niagara Escarpment
- The Escarpment starts in New York State, extends into Canada, through Queenston, Niagara region to the Lake Huron.
- Six million Ontarians live within a 90-minute drive.
- 100 million people live within less than a day drive from the Niagara Escarpment.
- More than 400 000 visits are made to the Escarpment.
- The Escarpment is a gigantic ridge of fossil rich sedimentary rock which began its creation 450 million years.
- The Escarpment rises 510 meters (1675 ft.) at its highest point and stretches 725 km (450 miles) from Niagara to Tobermory.
- The Escarpment is a natural habitat to more than 53 mammals, 36 reptiles and amphibians, 90 fish and 100 varieties of special interest flora. This is also rich environment for birds, with over three hundred bird species that provides a great opportunity for bird-watching.
- The Escarpment is home to Canada’s oldest and longest footpath, the Bruce Trail, established in 1967. This 800 km long trail starts and follows the route of the Escarpment to the tip of the Bruce Peninsula.
- Water that flows over the Escarpment creates waterfalls where magnificent Niagara waterfalls are part of it. There are over 70 waterfalls, ranging from small, delicate cascades waterfalls, with few meters in high, to spectacular ribbon falls (over 40 m in height).
Niagara Escarpment tourism highlights
- Balls Falls Conservation Area - with two waterfalls and historic building.
- 18 km of a path that stretches from Brock's monument to Woodend Conservation area.
- Woodend Conservation Area - excellent for picnic, bird watching, hiking a cross-country skiing, sweeping views of orchards and vineyards.
- Glen Ridge Quarry Naturalization site
- DeCew Falls and Morningstar Mill
- Cave Springs
- Louth Conservation Area
- Short Hills
Pictures of Escarpment are courtesy of Wikipedia
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