Alberta Road Trip
Cathy
Back from Alberta

From hiking up mountains and exploring valleys to feeding cows and riding horses, we've had a whirlwind of adventures on our road trip to Alberta. With Canada's landscape ranging in such beauty, we focused most of our time exploring the outdoors and caught a few glimpses of wildlife. We visited incredibly blue lakes, relaxed in a hot spring and watched cows block the road we were driving on. 

Back from Alberta

Hike

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Upper, Middle and Lower Sydenham Falls in Hamilton

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Up for short hike? You can see Upper, Middle and Lower Sydenham Falls in 30 minutes!

Let's Get Started

Park at Cascades Park and head up the gravel path. From the bridge, you can see Lower Sydenham Falls here. Don't fully cross the bridge, and head back to the left side of the stream. Head up the trail from here. 

Follow the trail

Check out the bridge before continuing the trail to the left

Lower Sydenham Falls

Lower Sydenham Falls

Keep left at the fork 

About half up, you'll see a small path on your right side that leads downhill. If you choose to, you can take this path down to Middle Sydenham Falls. 

Middle Sydenham Falls

Go back up to continue on the trail. You'll see a small set of stairs. At the top, take a right and continue on the trail. The trail will take you by the stream. Keep following it and you'll reach Upper Sydenham Falls. 

Upper Sydenham Falls from the base

Notes:

  • You can park on Livingstone Drive beside Cascades Park for free.
  • This hike takes only 30 minutes round-trip. 
  • Take a stroll across the bridge to the other side, the graffiti is actually kind of cool.

Happy Adventuring!

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Elora Quarry and Elora Gorge Conservation Area

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Elora Quarry Conservation Area

Peering over the fence at the top of the parking lot, the bluish green quarry offers a stunning view. Encircled by sheer cliffs up to 12 metres high, a large beach area with easy access to the water and a sandy area perfect for sunbathers, this swimming hole is ideal for a hot summer day. Unfortunately, due to insurance regulations, you cannot jump or dive from the cliffs. The beach is also not patrolled, so make sure you keep a close watch on children at all times. 

Head down the the quarry by following the road path and trail. This short walk will take you straight to the beach. If you're feeling adventurous, feel free to hike and explore around the quarry. 

Bring a cooler, towel and swim suit for a day swimming at the quarry!

Elora Gorge Conservation Area

As a popular tourist attraction, Elora Gorge is one of the most beautiful and spectacular natural areas in the Grand River valley. With 22 metre high cliffs, riverside trails and scenic lookouts to the gorge, this park provides hikers with gorgeous views of the water below where kayakers and tubers make their way through the rapids.  

From the parking lot, we headed to the trail. If you head right, you'll reach a lookout on top of the gorge and then a dead end. If you head left, you'll reach two lookouts to see the gorge from the bottom. We kept following the trail until we reached the bridge to see the other side of the river before heading back.  

Along the way, please note that there are tons of warning signs throughout the conservation area regarding safety. Make sure you stay away from the edge of the gorge. 

Mickey's Grill and Ice Cream Parlour

If you're craving a cold treat, head to Mickey's Grill and Ice Cream Parlour in the town. There are so many flavours of ice cream and they have treats for your dog! 

Notes:

  • Entrance fee: $6/person. You only have to pay it once if you want to visit both parks. 
  • Elora is located about 25km from Guelph, Ontario through Highway 6. 
  • No dogs, diving or jumping allowed at Elora Quarry Conservation Area. There are washrooms and change rooms available at the park. You can also rent a life jacket.
  • Elora Gorge Conservation Area offers tubing if conditions are good. It also offers camping, canoeing, fishing, cycling, picnicking and a splash pad. 

Happy Adventuring! 

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Chedoke Falls and Denlow Falls in Hamilton

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Interested in an adventure? You can hike to Chedoke Falls to see some amazing waterfalls. The backcountry hike has no actual trail which makes it an interesting challenge. Although, there's a good chance your shoes will get wet. 

Let's get started!

Located in Hamilton, Ontario, the trail starts at the Chedoke Civic Golf Club. From the parking lot, take the Chedoke Radical Trail (Bruce Trail) up to the ravine. Take a right at the 'push up' signs and continue hiking the trail for a few minutes. When you see the river, climb down to the bottom and start hiking up the river bed. 

From here, it's pretty much a 'choose your own adventure.' There's no marked trail, so you need to hike however you feel is safe. It's very rocky, challenging and dangerous, so be very careful. We kept crossing the river back and forth depending on which side had more land to hike on. This is how you get wet.

Along the way, you'll see the Lower Chedoke Falls. Climb to the top of the falls (on the right) and keep following the river upstream. You'll end up reaching Denlow Falls and finally Chedoke Falls. Take a walk behind the falls, it's quite the experience! 

Notes:

  • It took us around 2-2.5 hours to hike, which included us getting lost and stopping for pictures. 
  • There's no parking fee. 
  • You'll probably get wet unless you're good at crossing rivers.
  • Some parts can get pretty steep. You'll need to use the tree roots to climb some parts.

Happy Adventuring! 

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Albion Falls in Hamilton

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For it's staggered steps, beautiful cascade effect and rocks spread throughout the river, Albion Falls is my favourite waterfall. On a beautiful day, grab a friend, date or canine companion for this hike! 

Let's get started! 

From the parking lot further from the waterfall, head towards the trail. The trail will lead you down a hill where there will be a fork, turn left here and hike towards the river.

Follow the trail upstream until you reach the waterfall. Once you get there, use the rocks as stepping stones to cross the river. As a heads up, some of the rocks are unstable. I've slipped and fell in a few times before. 

If you're on the right side of the falls, head up to relax on the large rocks and enjoy the view. If you're feeling adventurous, follow the path to the second level of the falls. Take off your shoes and head into the water to cool off. Although, it can get pretty slippery because of the algae in the water. 

Once you're back at the bottom, feel free to navigate yourself on the rocks to get around. Some of the larger rocks have fossilized fauna and shells on it. 

When you're ready to leave, head to the left side of the falls. Head up the trail and up the stairs to get back to the road. Follow the road back to the parking lot. 

Directions:

Exit on Stonechurch Road from Red Hill Valley Parkway. Turn right onto Stonechurch Rd. and then turn right onto Pritchard Rd. When you reach Mud St., there will be parking lots on either side. I usually turn left and park at the lot further from the falls. That's where the hiking trail is. 

NOTES:

  • There's two free parking lots: One closer to the falls and one closer to the trails. 
  • The trail is a bit more challenging because you'll need to climb over fallen trees and rocks.
  • The hike takes about 30 minutes - 1 hour. 
  • If you don't feel like hiking, but still want to check out the falls. Park at the lot closer to the falls and follow the short trail downhill towards the falls. You'll still get the same awesome view of the falls. 
  • The trail can get pretty muddy and slippery during the spring or after a big rainfall. 
  • Check out the falls in the winter! 

EDIT - 2017: 

  • The trails are now closed off. You can only see the falls from the top. 

Happy Adventuring!