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Hike Info

N43.68070 W80.43047

2.5 km in town (see map below); conservation area: 6.5+ km

3.5 h

Beginner/intermediate

223 m

The terrain of both the in town gorge walk and the Elora Gorge Conservation Area is generally flat with modest slopes and hills and places where you can descend staircases to the gorge floor and the banks of the Grand River

In Town: Free along Mill and nearby streets where allowed and in the municipal lot across the Metcalfe bridge at Metcalfe and Carlton Pl. Conservation Area Parking: Access to the grounds are by paid admission only.
Admission fees- Adults (15-64) $6.50; Seniors $5.50; Children (6-14) $3.00; Preschool (5 and under) free. Prices include HST.
Tubing costs are extra.

Establishments in Elora on Mill St

Many picnic tables throughout the Elora Gorge Conservation Area

20 Apr 2010, 24 June 2017

Not wheelchair accessible

2017: The in town portion of the hike has now been revised and a trail map has been added to this page. The conservation area hike has also been updated with a new trail map, trail log and satellite view

You can do both the in-town and the conservation hike or only one of these as time and energy permits.

High and Low bridges; Hole in the wall; waterfalls; the gorges

X-country skiing; snowshoeing on Elora Cataract Trailway

 

The Site

Elora Gorge

The Elora Gorge hike is set in one of the most picturesque areas of Ontario, surrounded by rolling hills and Mennonite farmland.
Elora is famous for the spectacular Elora Gorge which seems out of place in the middle of this agricultural area. Formed by glacial meltwater, the 2 km gorge is noted for its 24 m (80 foot) limestone cliffs descending into the Grand and Irvine Rivers. Adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers regularly flock to Elora to enjoy some fun and take in the glorious natural beauty.

A climb down to the gorge bottom and the Grand River

Many original stone buildings from the 1800’s still make up the downtown village centre. Over the decades, Elora has maintained its old world charm and the century-old buildings have been transformed into unique galleries, gift shops, artists studios and charming restaurants creating a four-season shopping and dining destination. Skiing is popular in the conservation area in winter.

The Elora Gorge Park is governed by of the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA). It is one of the most beautiful natural surroundings of Southern Ontario, Canada. No wonder that the Elora Gorge attracts over a quarter of a million visitors a year!

DOWNTOWN GORGE WALK MAP 2.5 km loop

elora walk

commentIt should be noted that the whole route is devoid of any trail markers or information of any kind. In fact even on Mill Street, I could find no information or maps on where the best places to view the gorge could be found. Not to worry -we've located them all. Probably the best times to hike this area is in Spring and Fall when it is not packed with campers and picnickers as is the case from May 24 to Labour Day.

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Comments (7)
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Is this an ok hike to do with snow?
Siobhan
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I have not attempted this hike in the Winter so I don't have first hand info on the conditions. The conservation area is closed in the winter so none of the roads or trails will be maintained. While the gates are closed, the area is open to...
I have not attempted this hike in the Winter so I don't have first hand info on the conditions. The conservation area is closed in the winter so none of the roads or trails will be maintained. While the gates are closed, the area is open to snowshoeing and cross country skiing. You can explore the campground or take on some of the trails along the gorge itself. If you attempt this you should have icers on your boots to keep you from slipping or even showshoes if the snow is deep. From some vantage points you should be able to see rocks covered with ice in the river and also a frozen waterfall or two.
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Jack
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For more CORRECT information on the Elora Gorge Conservation Area and local hiking please visit http://www.grandriver.ca/index/document.cfm?Sec=27&Sub1=124 or call the park at (519) 846-9742 and stay on the line for park staff. Elora also has its...
For more CORRECT information on the Elora Gorge Conservation Area and local hiking please visit http://www.grandriver.ca/index/document.cfm?Sec=27&Sub1=124 or call the park at (519) 846-9742 and stay on the line for park staff. Elora also has its own information centre that can provide you with accurate local information, their number is (519) 846-9841.

If this post is being read by any administrative staff of this website, please take this trail guide for the Elora Gorge down. It is misleading and causes many confused Torontonians coming in the front gate not prepared to pay and wasting the hour and a half drive out here.
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Elora Gorge
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Thank you for this information. We don't wish to give anyone wrong advice so we appreciate this update. The hike has been modified to make it clear that an entrance fee to the park must be paid before proceeding on the trails within the...
Thank you for this information. We don't wish to give anyone wrong advice so we appreciate this update. The hike has been modified to make it clear that an entrance fee to the park must be paid before proceeding on the trails within the conservation area.
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Jack
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Thanks very much Jack. We appreciate you doing this and I hope now that hikers have the correct information they can find their way to the park and enjoy the gorgeous views it has to offer.

Take care
Elora Gorge
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This 10km hike is not actually legal. At the part when you cross under the bridge you are actually trespassing into the Elora Gorge Conservation Area. The Elora Gorge Conservation Area is a private (NOT GOVERNMENT FUNDED) park and maintains...
This 10km hike is not actually legal. At the part when you cross under the bridge you are actually trespassing into the Elora Gorge Conservation Area. The Elora Gorge Conservation Area is a private (NOT GOVERNMENT FUNDED) park and maintains itself through the user fee's you are required to pay.

Those fee's are as follows:

Weekdays- Adults (15-64) $5.50; Seniors (65+) $4.75; Children (6-14) $2.75; Preschool (5 and under) free.

Weekends- Adults $5.75; Seniors $5; Children $3; Preschool free.

If you are caught in the conservation area without having a valid receipt from the front gate on you, you will be escorted out and possibly fined for trespassing (Police will be contacted if you are not co-operative).
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Elora Gorge
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We walked this trail on Monday. It should be noted that there is no exit from the park after the 009 (Hole in the Wall). We were fortunate to have a park attendent open the back gate and let us out. The proble is that on the side of the...
We walked this trail on Monday. It should be noted that there is no exit from the park after the 009 (Hole in the Wall). We were fortunate to have a park attendent open the back gate and let us out. The proble is that on the side of the river opposite the Mill there is major construction and consequently no pedestrian access.
The best plan at this point is to return the High Bridge and return on the other side of the gorge.
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Jerry van de Hoef
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