Travel the Niagara Escarpment - Parks in the Halton Region

The Bruce Trail, a hiking path extending for more than 725 km along the entire length of the Escarpment form Queenston to Tobermory, links the natural features and parks of the Niagara Escarpment Parks System. The trail is for pedestrian travel only but is open to the public year round. Come for an hour's walk, a full day's hike or an extended excursion. Look for the white blazes painted on trees, poles and rocks indicating the main trail route. Side trails leading to drinking water, lookout points, campsites or loop trails, are marked by blue blazes. For more information, visit www.brucetrail.org

Crawford Forestry Tract

Here, the geological remains of an ancient waterfall are hidden in the Escarpment forest. The glacial meltwater that slashed the Escarpment 12,000 years ago must have been a spectacular cascade. Today this remnant from the past is evidence of the mighty forces that helped shape the Escarpment. Visit Conservation Halton for more information.

Crawford Lake Conservation Area

Crawford Lake is a "natural environment" park intended to preserve local woodlands and significant Escarpment cliffs for your enjoyment. Whatever the season, you'll be fascinated and you'll want to come back - again and again.

An Interpretive Centre near the main gate at Crawford Lake has information on trails, picnic sites and other features of Halton's Escarpment parks, along with films, slides, and classroom laboratories to make visits by schoolchildren and families both interesting and educational.

The secrets of the Iroquoian people who lived here 500 years ago have been painstakingly revealed at an active archeological site. Enter the village and reconstructed longhouses, and the echoes of the past seem close. You can almost hear the song of the Great Spirit or the soft shuffle of moccasins on the hardpacked earth. Children will enjoy the elevated boardwalk which surrounds Crawford Lake, its mirror surface reflecting ages past. This fragile lake is an intriguing archeological and geological time-capsule. A woodland trail takes the hiker to a walled observation point high on the Escarpment bluffs, overlooking rugged Nassageweya Canyon to Rattlesnake Point beyond. All Terrain Wheel Chairs are available for disabled or senior park visitors.

The Bruce Trail passes through the canyon, linking Crawford Lake to its adjacent park, Rattlesnake point which also has an entrance on Appleby Line. Visit Conservation Halton for more information.

Esquesing and Escarpment Tracts

The mature upland forests of the Escarpment are dominated by mixed deciduous trees. These two forest tracts have hiking rails for nature walks and quiet picnics. Visit the Conservation Halton web site for more information.

Conservation Halton

The watershed of Conservation Halton stretches from Halton Hills in the northeast to Dundas in the southwest and encompasses 948 sq. km of land drained by 17 watercourses flowing into Lake Ontario. The Authority is dedicated to projects that further conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources within this watershed.

The Niagara Escarpment forms a major part of the Halton watershed and the Authority has acquired some of its most outstanding features to ensure that these resources are protected and conserved for generations to come.

Consymbol represents the rich natural resources of the area. The rings symbolize the sun, land, forest and water; and the turkey vulture, native to the Niagara Escarpment, bisects the crest just as the Escarpment itself bisects Halton Region.

Visit Conservation Halton for more information.

Hilton Falls Conservation Area

Named for the picturesque falls where Sixteen Mile Creek tumbles over the Escarpment, Hilton Falls contains the ruins of Edward Hilton's mill built in 1835. This sprawling park preserves the unique and sensitive natural resources of the property, part of Halton Region's largest forest complex. Hilton Falls features wetlands, beaver meadows, limestone potholes and the enchanted forests of the Niagara Escarpment. Its habitat supports an abundance of wildlife including such endangered species as the West Virginia white butterfly. Within 16 km of scenic trails, this park has become a popular spot for hiking, nature observation and superb cross-country skiing. For ski conditions and more information, visit Conservation Halton.

Kelso Conservation Area

Kelso Lake, a reservoir nestled at the base of the Escarpment bluffs, beckons the sailor, fishing enthusiast and swimmer. On warm days the lake is dotted with the rainbow colours of sailboards, paddleboats and canoes. The cool, clear waters are stocked with rainbow trout so you might want to bring your fishing rod (in season, of course.) Swim from the sandy beach, picnic in the shade, play a round of miniature golf or hike the hills.

Whatever your pleasure - or leisure - Kelso has it year-round. In winter, the focus shifts to the Escarpment slopes and downhill skiing at Glen Eden Ski Area. It comes as no surprise that Kelso is a popular spot with Glen Eden's vertical drop of 75 marts and runs of 610 metres, from beginner to expert. There's night skiing, ski school, equipment rental, ski patrol and, in case nature doesn't co-operate, snow-making equipment. For ski conditions and more information, visit Conservation Halton

Lake Medad Forestry Tract

The Lake Medad property contains a forested bog and, like all wetlands, provides habitat for a variety of plant and animal life. The area is used for nature studies. Visit Conservation Halton for more information.

Mount Nemo Conservation Area

This park with its forest and scenic lookouts is a favourite spot for hikers, and "spelunkers", who come to explore the Escarpment's caves, home to various species of bats.

Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area

Rattlesnake Point is located on the Milton "outlier" a detached part of the Escarpment rising majestically some 91 meters above the surrounding countryside. The park's 4 km of trails make it ideal for short forest walks, peaceful picnics or cross-country skiing. Panoramic views unfold from the rocky heights and you're sure to see skilled and experienced rock climbers challenging the sheer limestone cliffs. Visit Conservation Halton for more information.

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Speyside

The Ministry of Natural Resources has preserved this park for forest management, hiking and nature appreciation. Contact the Ministry of Natural Resources at (416) 965-2000.

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Tirion Tract

Although there is no formal development here, the park is widely used by hiking enthusiasts.

Yaremko-Ridley Park

A small lake lies nestled in a buried Escarpment trench surrounded by forest. Most of this scenic 70-hectare property was donated to the public through the Ontario Heritage Foundation by the Yaremko and Ridley families.