Hiking Tours

Two Full Days of Hiking

Guests will enjoy moderately difficult hikes on segments of the Bruce Trail. Along the trails, discover the beauty of the forest, nuggets of local history, and appreciate the farming heritage of this special region with its orchards and vineyards. The rewarding views are panoramas of the forest canopy and views of Lake Ontario from high up on the escarpment.

Walking Through History

Niagara has been ground zero twice in Canadian history. First, during the War of 1812, Laura Secord starred as Canada’s Paul Revere, saving the British from defeat by the United States. Half a century later, Fenian Raids from the United States in 1866 served as a catalyst for Canadian Confederation a year later. On our tour, guests will visit Fort George, Queenston Heights, and other historic sites.

Wineries & Orchards

No trip to the Niagara peninsula would be complete without sampling the best of nature’s bounty. This tour is scheduled for early May to witness the beginning of the growing season and again, late in September, to take advantage of the harvest and flurry of activity in the region’s numerous wineries. Visits to several wineries, complete with tastings, provide a good sampling of products from the Wine Appellations of Niagara. Cheers! 

Niagara-on-the-Lake

Our group will spend some time wandering the historical Niagara-on-the-Lake. Guests will enjoy visiting the boutique shops and eateries along the main street and viewing historic plaques.  What are your “go-to” shops? Some love the local Christmas ornament store and the fudge store, others look forward to the hat store, the olive oil store, and the numerous shops with unique clothing and gift items. 

Niagara Falls

This is unquestionably the most famous place in Canada. Unlike most tours that see the sights from a bus, guests will have an opportunity to walk along the Niagara River to see all the amazing natural features of this special place.

Voyage to the Falls Boat Tour

Feel the rush of the falls on this must-do attraction. Get an up-close view of the Niagara Gorge, the American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls, and come face-to-face with the famous Canadian Horseshoe Falls, an experience not to be missed.

Niagara Parks Power Station

The Niagara Parks Power Station is the first major power plant on the Canadian side of the Niagara River. See restored artifacts and interactive displays on a guided tour of the building and its tunnel

Day 1

1. Niagara Parkway Walkway, Niagara Falls 

(H1/Easy – 2.5km/30m) 

This promenade takes guests to multiple vantage points of Horseshoe Falls and American Falls. The walk begins at the Olde Stone Inn, goes to the Floral Showhouse, and returns at a leisurely pace.

Day 2

2. Bruce Trail, Cave Springs Conservation Area to Locust Lane, Beamsville 

(H2/Moderate – 7.3km/200m) 

This is a lovely stretch of Bruce Trail through pastoral farmland with great views from the Escarpment to Lake Ontario, and ends in the midst of three wineries. There are sections that are rocky and have tree roots, so care is taken when on this hike.  Hiking shoes are required and poles are recommended.

https://npca.ca/parks/cave-springs

3. Bruce Trail, Bevan Heights to Queenston Heights, Queenston 

(H1/Easy – 4.1km/50m) 

This hike brings guests to the Southern Terminus Cairn of Ontario’s Bruce Trail, right at the Canada-US border, with a good photo opportunity at the Cairn. The Bruce Trail links Queenston and Tobermory with 910 km of wonderful hiking, mostly along the Niagara Escarpment. The first section of this hike involves climbing up and down a few hills, before it flattens out on a wide path.

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/canada/ontario/queenston-via-bruce-trail

https://www.niagaraparks.com/visit/nature-garden/queenston-heights/

Day 3

4. Walking tour through Niagara-on-the-lake to Fort George 

(H1/Easy – 5.5km/20m) 

This walk will introduce guests to the picturesque community of Niagara-on-the-lake and includes a tour of historical Fort George. Mostly flat, on pavement and crushed gravel, this is an easy bit of sightseeing on foot.

https://www.niagarafallstourism.com/niagara-region/niagara-on-the-lake/

http://www.friendsoffortgeorge.ca/fort-george/

Day 4

5. Bruce Trail, Cherry Ave to 17th Street, Jordan 

(H2/Moderate – 8.9km/250m) 

This is one of the most scenic parts of the Bruce Trail on the Niagara Peninsula, passing through forests and amongst wineries, and through the historic village of Balls Falls where we will enjoy a picnic lunch.  A few small hills give this hike some interesting viewpoints and then it flattens out prior to entering Balls Falls. 

https://www.twentyvalley.ca/site/twenty-valley-experiences

Just One Hotel

Given the Niagara region’s compactness, we will spend all 4 nights in one historic hotel in Niagara Falls. Better yet, the Olde Stone Inn is centrally located, so guests walk along Clifton Hill, to the Falls and Niagara Parkway, the Casinos, as well as a wide variety of restaurants and cafes.

Gentle Hiking

Unlike many DeLuxe Hiking tours that tackle more difficult mountain trails, this Niagara hiking tour includes trails in the escarpment forest and trails among the fruit orchards and vineyards. Distances are relatively short and experiencing the forest canopy is both breathtaking and soothing. With transportation to the trailheads, enjoy hiking the best segments of the trails with a local guide, and then get picked up at the end of the hike without doubling back! 

Variety of Excursions to Supplement the Hiking

Admire the gardens, observe butterflies up close, visit local historical sites, enjoy a vineyard tour and tastings, and tour the Niagara Power Station and Tunnel. This variety of experiences provides an interesting, well-rounded trip, with all arrangements and logistics taken care of, so all you need to do is enjoy!

• Shuttle transportation during the tour
• 4 nights of accommodation at the Olde Stone Inn with parking (1 car per room)
• 4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
• Local professional guides and all entry fees and charges for included highlights
• Services of a DeLuxe Hiking Tour Director

Prices are in Canadian dollars, are per person and include HST.

Included Highlights

• Two days hiking the Bruce Trail with a local guide (5 walks and hikes)
• Visits to 3 wineries (with two included tastings)
• Free time in Niagara-on-the-Lake
• Floral Showhouse Gardens (September)
• Fort George
• Voyage to the Falls, Niagara Falls boat tour
• Butterfly Observatory and Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens
• Niagara Parks Power Station and Tunnel tour

Day 1

Welcome to Niagara Falls and the Olde Stone Inn. Prior to the tour officially starting, guests will have the opportunity to meet the Tour Director, drop off their luggage, and enjoy lunch on their own. At 1 pm, reconvene with the tour director and enjoy a walk along the boardwalk to the Canadian Horseshoe Falls en route to the Floral Showhouse. This walk along the Niagara River allows us to enjoy multiple vantage points to view this natural wonder. After viewing the Horseshoe Falls from the land, we will then take the a boat cruise to experience the falls from the water! Stroll back to the Inn for check-in and prepare for a welcome dinner.

Stay: Olde Stone Inn, Niagara Falls, ON

Nights:  4

Meals:  D

Day 2

After breakfast at the inn, hop on the coach and take the scenic route to Beamsville for a morning hike along the Bruce Trail. After our hike, travel to a local winery for lunch and wine tasting. In the afternoon, a second, shorter hike will take us to the terminus of the Bruce Trail at Queenston Heights, overlooking the Niagara River and nearby New York state, and see the towering Brock Monument. This evening is yours to discover and experience the sights and sounds of Clifton Hill and the surrounding area. Other entertainment options include the nearby casino and in-house concert hall.

Meals: B, L

Day 3

Begin the day with a visit at the Butterfly Observatory and Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens to delight in the fascinating butterflies in the conservatory and the gorgeous seasonal plantings in the gardens, and then head to lovely, quaint Niagara-on-the-Lake for lunch with time to wander around the many boutique stores.  Our afternoon will be a step back in time to important moments in Canadian history with a visit to Fort George. The free evening offers an opportunity to take in Niagara Falls and its attractions. Guests may return to Niagara-on-the-Lake for dinner or to attend a Shaw Festival theatre production as an optional excursion.

Meals: B

Day 4

The day will begin with a vineyard tour of Tawse Winery, followed by a hike along the Bruce Trail, stopping in Ball’s Falls for a picnic lunch. After our hike ends in the late afternoon, guests will have free time to explore Jordan Village and enjoy a Cave Spring wine tasting. We’ll finish our day with a farewell dinner back in Niagara Falls.

Meals: B, L, D

Day 5

After breakfast and check out, we will embark on our final stroll along the Niagara Parkway to the Niagara Parks Power Station, the first major power plant on the Canadian side of the Niagara River. See restored artifacts and interactive displays on a guided tour of the building and its tunnel. After this attraction and with one last view of the Falls, we say farewell to our fellow travellers.

Meals: B

The Olde Stone Inn

Set in a former flour mill dating from 1904, the Old Stone Inn elegantly blends classic historical character and charm with well-thought-out modern conveniences.  It is centrally located within walking distance of most attractions and the Canadian Horseshoe Falls.

This DeLuxe Hiking tour offers a sampling of what is available in this popular region and is geared towards the active adult who wants to experience outdoor activity while also seeing some of the interesting sights.  The coach is available for three of the five days, providing transportation to trailheads and attractions.  Otherwise, to be fully immersed in the local experience, walking will be the preferred mode of transportation. 

Two days are spent hiking segments of the iconic Bruce Trail. These sections are not overly difficult or long, but attention is needed for tree roots and rocky sections, particularly when wet or covered with moss. There are some-steep hilly sections, and on one trail we descend a steep wooden staircase. Thus, hiking boots or hiking shoes are required, and hiking poles are optional.

The hikes and walks on this tour are all easy or moderate. For those who want to try a hiking tour, without overdoing it, the shorter duration of this tour makes it a great introduction.  Hikers should bring appropriate clothing for hiking. The ability to dress in layers will make it easy to adapt to changing temperatures while on the trail. 

Of all our tours, this one may best capture the spirit of DeLuxe Hiking with “Real Hiking. Real Culture, and Real Comfort.” 

For Day 3 there may be an opportunity to attend the Shaw Festival theatre (September) or you may wish to spend the evening in Niagara-on-the-Lake for dinner and stroll down the iconic main street. Details for these options can be discussed when booking the tour.

Adding a day or two after this tour to explore the area is highly encouraged. Attend a theatre production at the Shaw Festival. Visit additional local wineries with restaurants & tours. Take the White Water Walk which goes beside the rapids. Rent a bicycle and ride along the trails beside the Niagara Parkway, or explore additional local hiking trails. Please contact us to discuss your pre- and post tour accommodation options.