Grand Adventure: Fergus - Port Maitland

Estimated distance: 185 km/115 mi.

The Grand River flows 300 kilometres through Southwestern Ontario, from the highlands of Dufferin County to Port Maitland on Lake Erie, and is rich in natural and cultural diversions. The Elora Gorge is one of the most beautiful and spectacular natural areas in the Grand River valley. Created 20,000 years ago in the same fashion as the Niagara falls and gorge, where the river rushes through a 22-metre canyon. Hikers and naturalists favour the riverside trails and scenic overlooks, while kayakers and tubers love the rapids on a trip down nature's own tubing run. Not far away in Rockwood, just east of Guelph, towering limestone cliffs, caves and glacial potholes are a few of the natural wonders at the Rockwood Conservation Area. Rockwood and Elora Gorge are two of eight beautiful Grand River Conservation Areas that offer camping and a wealth of outdoor activities including canoeing, hiking and fishing.

In Wellington North the new Butter Tart Trail driving tour tempts visitors with tasty treats and antiques. Scenic Elora and Fergus, with their historic shopping districts lets you stroll Century-old main streets, and shoppers with an eye for the unique can discover many one-of-a-kind treasures. Mennonite culture and heritage is still evident in both St. Jacobs and Elora. Learn more at The Mennonite Story Visitor Centre in St. Jacobs where shopping for art, antiques, fine crafts and fashion are the pleasures of the day. Nearby, St. Jacobs' Farmers' Market celebrates the best of the local harvest and crafters, with a huge market every Thursday and Saturday.

Guelph connects to the Grand River through its tributaries, the Speed and Eramosa rivers. Visit McCrae House, a National Historic Site featuring well-known Guelph resident Colonel John McCrae, author of the poem In Flanders Fields. Great dining and shopping are just blocks away. This stretch of the river is ideal for canoeing, kayaking and rafting, as the mighty Grand winds it way through Paris en route to Lake Erie. The Cambridge-to-Paris and Hamilton-to-Brantford Rail Trails form a 75-km link through Brantford and are part of the Trans Canada Trail.

Brantford is renowned as the home of hockey great Wayne Gretzky, as well as Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone. The Bell Homestead is one of a number of National Historic Sites and museums located in the southern part of the watershed. Nearby, on the Six Nations Reserve, are the Mohawk Chapel and Chiefswood where aboriginal heritage can be enjoyed, including at events such as the women's Husking Time in September. Your journey then winds past historic homes, none more significant than Ruthven. Tour this majestic Greek Revival mansion that recounts the days when river navigation helped settle early Ontario and take in the many special events held regularly on the estate. Port Maitland, a quaint harbour hamlet on the shores of Lake Erie, marks the end of your tour. Enjoy a variety of Grand River Scenic Drives.

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