Pedalling past the Falls
Daring adventures, hidden histories, and the secret joys of cycling Niagara
Daredevils have gone over Niagara Falls in barrels, rafts, rubber balls, jet skis, kayaks, and rocket-propelled parachutes. The only reason a car is not on this list is that it’s stuck in a Queen Elizabeth Way traffic jam. The daredevil survival rate is pitiful, except for the occasional tightrope walker, including stunt performer Andrew Jenkins in 1869. They called him the professor. He crossed the Niagara River gorge from Canada to the American side on a tightrope, riding a bicycle called the “doon bike.’ George Sleeman (Sr.) (Yes, from the famous Guelph brewery!) helped Jenkins rig the tightrope and make final adjustments to the hand-pedalled bike. Thousands congregated to witness it. Jenkins proved that, even in the stunt game, the best way to get around the Niagara region is by bicycle.
Peter Donato knows this better than anyone. He founded the award-winning Niagara Cycling Tour in 2021 to help everyone enjoy the sights, sounds, and experiences of the Niagara Region. He offers custom packages, itineraries, and guided tours for all cycling levels. You discover what the region really has to offer and pedal where most tourists don’t.
For the uninitiated, Niagara holds two or three distinct memories. Typically, everyone goes to the same places, gets in the same lineups, and eats at the same restaurants, which, curiously, have a gift shop on the way out to the crowded parking lot. On a bicycle, you get off the beaten path, ride along beautiful country roads, and take in charming hamlets, villages, or little country stores. Instead of smelling the exhaust fumes of the car in front of you, on a bicycle, you take in the fresh air of blossoming fruit trees and literally slow down to smell the roses.
What makes the region cycle-friendly is the abundance of bike trails and paths. The quiet concession roads travel by wineries, orchards, and fields of grape vines. They are quiet and peaceful, leading to places such as Crystal Beach, with its sandy beach stretching along the crystal-clear waters of Lake Erie, and the historic Welland Canal. To illustrate, here are just a few of the sights you may see on two wheels that people of four inevitably miss.
Queenston Heights Park
Brock’s Monument. (Credit: The Weather Network)
First, consider Queenston Heights Park. It sits high on the Niagara Escarpment. Here, you can relax and enjoy history in a beautiful setting. Brock’s Monument, for example, is made from local limestone and topped with a 16-foot statue of Major General Sir Isaac Brock. The monument honours the hero who helped shape Upper Canada before a battle here during the War of 1812 took his life.
Port Dalhousie
Welland Canal. (Credit: The Weather Network)
From 1829 to 1932, Port Dalhousie was the entry point for the first three Welland Canals, boosting shipbuilding and sailing. Lakeside Park, with its beach, carousel, and amusement rides, attracted visitors by rail and steamship. The historic carousel, built around 1900, still operates today for a 5-cent ride. The area also features notable architecture from the 19th and 20th centuries, including brick buildings, a restored lighthouse, and a pier. Incorporated into St. Catharines in 1961, Port Dalhousie now hosts the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta and is recognized as a Heritage Conservation District, distinguished for its maritime history and preserved buildings.
Jordan Station Surrounding Area
Jordan is a wine-country spot in the Niagara Benchlands, known for boutique wineries, Jordan Village, and Ball’s Falls. Farm-to-table dining and natural scenery are key, while Ball’s Falls Conservation Area features waterfalls and trails. Artisan foods stand out, especially those from Upper Canada Cheese Company, famous for its local Guernsey and goat cheeses. Founded in the late 18th century by Pennsylvania Dutch Mennonites, Jordan’s heritage is celebrated at the Lincoln Museum and Cultural Centre.
The Comfort Maple
The Comfort Maple Conservation Area protects Canada’s oldest known sugar maple, designated a heritage tree in 2000. Estimated at 400–500 years old, it stands near North Pelham, reaching 24.4 metres in height and boasting a 6-metre-wide trunk. Once part of a hardwood forest, it may have become isolated when land nearby was cleared for farming. The Comfort family bought the land in 1816; later, they entrusted it to the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority to preserve this historic tree.
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