The Best Elora Gorge Hiking Trails for Families
Elora Gorge Hiking Trails
Elora is one of the prettiest areas in Southern Ontario. Sitting along the Grand River, the Elora Gorge is the perfect place to spend the day outside enjoying nature. From swimming at the quarry to beautiful campgrounds and conservation areas, it’s no wonder you will also find some incredible hiking opportunities here. We have put together a list of the best Elora Gorge hiking trails for families to enjoy, as a way to round out your itinerary during your visit to this charming area.
Where is Elora Located?
Located in Wellington County, Elora is about an hour and a half drive from Toronto, about 25 km from Guelph through Highway 6, or just a half hour from Kitchener. Nestled along the gorgeous Grand River in Southern Ontario, travelling to the area for a day trip couldn’t be easier.
Elora Gorge Conservation Area Hiking
We have been visiting the Elora area since the kids were quite young. As a result, we have explored the gorge, the conservation areas, as well as the various Elora hiking trails.
We find that the trails are not only quite popular, but easy enough for families to enjoy. So no matter what level of hiker you are, you will be able to enjoy Elora Gorge hiking.
We would like to add that the Elora Gorge is quite steep and rocky. At 22 meters high, the Gorge can be very dangerous, especially for younger kids.
For your safety, only hike on the marked trails. Stay away from the edge of the gorge, and be sure to keep the kids from climbing the fence or barriers.
One of the downsides we found while hiking the Elora Gorge trails, is that many of them were poorly marked, if at all. Your best bet is to download or print out a trail map before heading out on your hike.
The 5 Best Elora Gorge Hiking Trails for Families
1. Elora Gorge Lookout – Easy
Considered an easy route, the Elora Gorge Trail will take you less than an hour to complete. This very popular trail can be accessed at the entrance of Victoria Park in downtown Elora.
The trail takes you into the forest and along the edge of the gorge. While much of the trail is packed dirt, there are also many exposed roots, so you will need to keep an eye on where you are stepping.
Along the way, you will not only have sweeping views of the gorge, but you can also take a peak at the Elora Falls, see Lovers Leap, get a good look at the David Street Bridge, and have the opportunity to take the stairs down the gorge to the water’s edge.
You can continue your hike along the water, but the trail is very rocky and steep in places, and we wouldn’t recommend it if you have young kids in tow. Our kids are older, so they loved scrambling along the rocky shoreline and exploring the small caves and crevices.
Easy Hike from Downtown Elora
The trail is very popular for birding, snowshoeing, and running. And because of its proximity to downtown Elora, you will likely encounter quite a few people while out on the trail, especially during the summer. Sunset and sunrise are pretty spectacular times to come and see this area.
The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit at any time. The great part about this trail is that it is completely free to use, and your views of the gorge are spectacular.
Dogs are welcome to use the trail but must be on a leash at all times.
You can find free on-street parking in Elora. Just be aware that there is a three-hour limit, and we have seen parking enforcement checking!
Trailhead: Entrance to Victoria Park
Distance: 0.8 km loop
Elevation Gain: 30 meters
Time: 25 minutes
2. Elora Gorge Trail – Easy
One of our favourite Elora hiking trails also happens to be the most popular. The Elora Gorge Trail is family-friendly, about 5.5 km in length, and will take you less than 2 hours to hike.
Rated as easy, the trail itself is well maintained, and relatively flat, with only a few small hills. However, there are places where the path becomes rocky, and there are tree roots to look out for. But all in all, this trail is definitely suitable for hikers of all ages and abilities.
The trail is safe for young kids, as there are barrier fences to keep people on the proper trails. There are also warning signs posted all along the trail, telling you to stay back from the edge of the gorge, as it is really steep.
The Elora Gorge Trail starts and ends in the Elora Gorge Conservation Area. It meanders along the river, with views of the limestone cliffs and rock faces, lush forest, and the Grand River. Oftentimes, you will even be able to catch a glimpse of people tubing and kayaking down the river!
There are several lookout points along this loop trail. Just a heads up, a couple of the lookouts require you to walk down a set of metal stairs, which may make it difficult for some people.
Elora Gorge Trail Conservation Area Hiking: Hole in the Wall
At the start of the hike, you will come across the infamous Hole in the Wall. Here, a staircase will take you about halfway down the gorge, and through a ‘hole in the stone wall,’ to a viewing platform.
Right off the platform is a huge tree with all of its roots exposed. It makes for a pretty cool and Instagrammable photo!
Unfortunately, most of the view of the gorge from this platform is obstructed by trees. We were able to watch a group of people launching their tubes into the water, which the kids enjoyed seeing.
This area gets pretty busy, as it is accessible right off the parking lot, and near one of the conservation area’s picnic pavilions. Most people, however, do not hike past this point, so you will leave much of the crowd behind as you move further along the trail.
Once you move past the Hole in the Wall, you will cross the bridge to the other side of the gorge. While you are on the bridge, be sure to stop and admire the views of the gorge.
This is probably the best vantage point you have of seeing the gorge from above. And admittedly, there are places outside of the conservation area where there are much better, and totally unobstructed, views of the gorge.
Once on the other side of the bridge, the trail is mostly paved road, as the “trail” that follows the fence on this side is really overgrown and not maintained. Towards the end of the hike, you will once again cross back over to the other side of the river (near to where you originally started), and you’ll be able to hike on the trail along the fence again.
Why Visit the Elora Gorge Trail
Aside from the Hole in the Wall, another big draw for this popular Elora hiking trail is that it is home to a variety of wildlife. Deer, raccoons, and a plethora of birds call this trail home, so many people flock to the area for birding and wildlife spotting.
The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. And although we would not recommend hiking this trail with kids in the winter, as it can get pretty icy, summer and fall are the best times to visit – especially for the fall colours!
You will need to pay for admission to get into the Elora Gorge Conservation Area, but you will find plenty of parking near the trailhead. The cost to get into the conservation area is $6.86 per adult and $2.88 per child.
Dogs are welcome to use the trail but must be on a leash at all times.
Trailhead: Elora Gorge Conservation Area
Distance: 5.5 km loop
Elevation Gain: 195 meters
Time: 1.5 – 2 hours
3. Trestle Bridge Loop – Easy
Considered an easy route, the Trestle Bridge Loop will take you between 2 and 3 hours to complete. This trail can be accessed in Bissell Park, located just outside of downtown Elora. You will find limited parking at this location as well.
The Trestle Bridge Loop takes you along a portion of the Elora Cataract Trailway, past farmland, suburbs of Elora, the Center Wellington Museum and the numerous Grand River crossings. The trail is popular with walkers, hikers, runners, cyclists, and even cross-country skiers in the winter.
The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit at any time. The Trestle Bridge Loop is completely free to use, and can actually be extended at numerous points by adding extra trails onto the original route.
Dogs are welcome to use the trail but must be on a leash at all times.
Trailhead: Bissell Park
Distance: 9.0 km loop
Elevation Gain: 360 meters
Time: 2.5 – 3 hours
4. Elora Gorge and Hole in the Wall Lookout Loop – Moderate
The Elora Gorge and Hole in the Wall Lookout Loop is a 6.4-km out-and-back trail that is considered a moderately challenging route. This trail is really popular, so chances are, you will likely encounter many other people while out hiking.
This route, which actually combines a portion of the Elora Gorge Trail with the Elora Lookout Trail, is open year-round and is awesome to hike at any time. The trail’s moderate rating is due to the fact that there are several steep parts with uneven terrain.
You will definitely need to be wearing good hiking boots or trail runners to complete this hike in the summer. If you choose to venture out during the winter, a good pair of crampons will keep you safe and upright!
This trail offers a ton of great photo opportunities for hikers, so don’t forget your camera! Just like with the Elora Gorge Trail, you can expect to see the Hole in the Wall, as well as several Lookout points along the gorge.
We found that most people that were on the path, were just there to see the lookouts and the Hole in the wall. Beyond those points, the trail became much less crowded.
Where to Start Your Hike
You will need to begin the hike in the Elora Gorge Conservation Area. There you will find ample parking, but you will have to pay to get into the park.
As the trail is very poorly marked, your best bet is to just follow the fenceline along the top of the gorge, keeping it on your right side for the duration of the hike. We only found a few markers on the trees, but most of the time you are on your own!
Because the conservation area is considered private property, you really can’t begin the hike in downtown Elora and access the park on the trail. The only way to enter is by paying the admission at the main gates.
Dogs are welcome to use the trail but must be on a leash at all times.
Trailhead: Elora Gorge Conservation Area
Distance: 6.4 km – Out and back
Elevation Gain: 271 meters
Time: 2 – 2.5 hours
5. Elora Cataract Trail – Moderate
The scenic Elora Cataract Trail is a 2-3 metre wide gravel bicycle path that is rated as moderate. The grade is very gentle, and the path has intermittent tree cover. The Cataract Trail is also wheelchair and stroller friendly.
At 45.5 kilometres long, most hikers and walkers will only cover small portions of the trail at a time, as it would take you 10 – 11 hours to walk the full distance. The trail is very popular as a backpacking route, as well as for biking or even cross-country skiing in the winter.
You can start the trail off Gerrie Road just outside of Elora. There, you will find a parking lot with limited spaces.
The Elora Cataract Trail takes you along the Grand River, through small towns, past farms, and over bridges. You may be surprised to learn that the trail is also used by horseback riders!
The trail ends in the Forks of the Credit Provincial Park. If you start at that end of the Cataract Trail, you will also find parking, but you will have to pay to get into the provincial park.
The best times to visit this trail are May through October.
Dogs are welcome to use the trail but must be on a leash at all times.
Trailhead: Gerrie Road near Patrick Blvd.
Distance: 45.5 km point to point
Elevation Gain: 748 meters
Time: 10 – 11 hours
Elora Gorge Conservation Area Hiking FAQs
Can you hike at the Elora Quarry?
Yes. But given that it is only a 1 km trail, and that you need to make reservations, and pay for both entry and parking, we did not feel it was worth it. If you incorporate the hike with spending the day at the quarry, it would make much better sense.
How long is the Elora Gorge trail?
The Elora Gorge Trail is approximately 5.5 kilometres long. You can make your hike longer by connecting to other trails, or shorter, by doing an out-and-back rather than a loop.
Do you have to pay to get into Elora Gorge?
It depends. If you are planning to certain trails (like the popular Elora Gorge Trail), you will need to pay admission to enter the Elora Gorge Conservation Area. If you are hiking either the Elora Lookout Trail or the Elora Cataract Trail, you will not need to pay to enter the gorge area.
Is parking free in Elora?
Parking is free in downtown Elora with a 3-hour time limit enforced 7 days a week between 9 am and 7 pm. If your hike takes you into the conservation area, you will need to pay the admission fee, but parking is included.
Can you hike Elora Gorge in winter?
Yes. You can hike the Elora Gorge trails in the winter. They are not maintained, so you will need to be careful as they can get slippery. Also, be aware that the trails are often used by both snowshoers and cross-country skiers in the winter.
Is Elora Gorge worth it?
We love the Elora Gorge area, and definitely feel it is worth a visit. However, if you are only heading to the Elora Conservation Area to go hiking, we don’t think it is necessarily worth it.
While beautiful, the trails alone are not worth the admission cost, especially if you are with a large family, or are looking for great views. If you are planning to spend the day at the conservation area, are planning to camp there or stay for a picnic, or even have young kids who want to frolic at the splash pad, then yes, the Elora Gorge Conservation Area is definitely worth a visit.
Where to Eat After Hiking at the Elora Gorge
After you have worked up an appetite on your hike, head into downtown Elora. There you will find a pretty great variety of restaurants and eateries to satisfy whatever you are craving.
From fine dining to casual pub fare, cafes, ice cream shops and everything in between, you will definitely find it in town. And most places will even offer gluten-free and vegan options!
Check out our list of the Best Restaurants in Elora here.
Final Thoughts on the Best Elora Gorge Hiking Trails for Families
We love spending time in the Elora area with our kids. Between strolling through the charming little town, swimming at the quarry, and spending time in the conservation areas, there is so much for us to do. And with so many awesome trails to choose from, which of the Elora Gorge hiking trails will you try with your family?
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