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

outdoors

A Day at Scarborough Bluffs

For spectacular views of the escarpment and Lake Ontario, Scarborough Bluffs are a significant geological feature in North America. These towering white cliffs stretch 15 kilometres along Toronto's Eastern waterfront. At their highest, the bluffs rise 65 metres above the coastline, offering an impressive view. The bluffs are a fantastic place to visit if you're looking for a nice day out with your family, friends or canine companion. 

Let's Get Started! 

Located in East Toronto, Scarborough Bluffs can be found at the foot of Brimley Road. For a gorgeous view overlooking Lake Ontario, drive up to the top of the Bluffs and park the side of the road. 

From the parking lot at the bottom of the Bluffs, you can take the walking trail that takes you through the park and some of the naturalized areas between the cliffs and the park. 

If you're heading there during the summer months, head to Bluffer's Beach - the most beautiful beach in Toronto. Let the sun shine and wind blow in your hair as you dip your toes in the water. Don't worry, the water quality is better than the other beaches in Toronto. 

Notes:

  • With the erosion of bluffs at 1 metre per year, keep in mind that the ground can be unstable.
  • The park also offers trails, beaches, gardens, sports and recreation facilities and amenities.
  • Head there in the winter to see the frozen shoreline! 

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. 
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Fall Colours at Bon Echo

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Fall Colours at Bon Echo

It's only during the fall when leaves paint the forest in an array of gorgeous colours. It's one of the most beautiful times to go hiking. 

We wanted to take advantage of that, so we headed out to Bon Echo Provincial Park for the day to enjoy the lovely coloured trees.  Located in Cloyne, Ontario, the park features over 260 pictographs painted on Marzinaw Rock. The only way to access them is either canoe over or take the boat tour.  Unfortunately, the boat tour wasn't running when I went and it was too cold and windy to canoe over.