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

ontario

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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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A Taste of Mars: Cheltenham Badlands In Caledon

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For its reddish hue, rolling hills with streaks of greyish-green and leafy trees surrounding the area, the Cheltenham Badlands offer an incredible view in Ontario. Composed of iron-rich Queenston Shale, the unique red landscape was created due to poor farming practices in the 1930's which caused overgrazing of the land. The exposed bedrock eroded into a series of striking ridges and gullies. Because the rock is so sensitive, it erodes easily, creating those rolling, red dunes that look like you're on Mars. As one of the best examples of "badlands topography" in Ontario, the Cheltenham Badlands are a geological treasure!

Let's get started!

Off Hwy 10, turn onto Old Baseline Road and head down until you reach the badlands. There's a small parking lot off the side of the road.

Notes:

  • The term "badlands" refers to land that is highly eroded, barren and dry. 
  • The area is very fragile, so don't climb on the hills when the ground appears soft. 
  • Be sure to check it out before it's temporarily closed. A protective fence will be placed along Olde Baseline Road at the end of May 2015.
  • Update: Public access to the badlands is only available at the viewing area at the top of the badlands slope. 

Petroglyphs Provincial Park in Woodview

Located in Woodview, Petroglyphs Provincial Park holds the largest collection of ancient First Nation petroglyphs (rock carvings) in Ontario.

LET'S GET STARTED! 

From the parking lot, visit the Learning Place Interpretative Centre to discover more about the petroglyphs and their spiritual meaning. From displays, posters and videos, the Centre offers information about the traditions of the Ojibway people through the teachings of the medicine wheel.

After learning about the petroglyphs, you can head over to the protective building to view the cave drawings. From carvings of turtles to bears and thunderbird to boats, every petroglyph tells a different spiritual story. It's quite an interesting experience learn about this spiritual place.

NOTES: 

  • Parking fee is $14/day. 
  • You cannot take any photos or videos at Petroglyphs, but the park offers crayon rubbings of different cave drawings. 
  • There are hiking trails of that offer great opportunities for wildlife. 
  • Hours of operation: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 
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Petroglyphs and Warsaw Caves

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Petroglyphs and Warsaw Caves

Even though the rain clouds followed us all day, we weren't going to let it stop us from enjoying the outdoors. Our first adventure of the day was Petroglyphs Provincial Park in Woodview, Ontario. This historical park holds the largest collection of ancient First Nation petroglyphs (rock carvings) in Ontario.

From displays, posters and videos, the park's visitor centre offers information about the petroglyphs and their spiritual meaning. After learning about the petroglyphs, you can head over to the protective building to view the cave drawings. From carvings of turtles to bears and thunderbird to boats, every petroglyph tells a different spiritual story. It's quite an interesting experience learn about this spiritual place.

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Exploring Scenic Caves in Collingwood

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A last-minute decision led us to head up North to Collingwood. From treetop canopy walks and ziplining, to caves and caverns, Scenic Caves offers a variety of activities for the adventurous soul. Since we have treetop trekked and ziplined before, we opted for the self-guided tour of the caves, caverns and suspension bridge. 

As Southern Ontario's longest suspension bridge, I thought it was rather underwhelming. When you walk to the other side of the bridge, you reach a dead end with a few picnic tables and boards of information about the suspension bridge. You need to head back if you want to participate in other activities.  However, the view was lovely since it overlooks the Georgian Bay.

Hiking through the caves and caverns was much more exciting. There's an easy trail to follow to visit the caves and caverns. They made it very safe by installing platforms and bars to hold onto for the rocky areas. You get spectacular lookouts from the edge of the limestone cliffs, a shady hike beneath the canopy of sugar maples and red oak as well as a chance to explore a labyrinth of caves and crevices. 

Things to know: 

  • Summer hours: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
  • Admission for caves and suspension bridge: $25.50 (total with tax) for adults
  • The hike takes about two hours
  • There are zipline packages and adventure tour packages available (reservations required)
  • It's very family friendly with activities like mini golf, gemstone mining and a children's adventure playground (which I was too old to go into) 
  • Tractor and wagon rides are provided to the suspension bridge area as an alternative to hiking
  • Check out their FAQs and website for more information! 

Happy Adventuring!