The Greater Niagara Circle Route
Greater Niagara Circle Route closed beginning August 18th. Closure begins at Port Robinson Ferry and carried through to Merritt Island in Welland. Re-opens June 30, 2012 for three months.
Here is the detour.
Northbound:
Left up onto Woodlawn on sidewalk to Staples
Right through parking lot of Seaway Mall
Right on Lancaster
Right on Quaker (becomes Towpath)
Left on Grisdale
Right on Merritt Road
Cross 406 at lights
Left on Kottmeier
Right on Port Robinson to Canal Trail
Southbound:
Right on Port Robinson Rd
Left on Kottmeier
Right on Merritt Road
Cross 406 at lights
Left on Grisdale
Right on Towpath (becomes Quaker)
Left on Lancaster
Left through parking lot of Seaway Mall
Left on Woodlawn (on sidewalk)
Right on Canal Trail
The Greater Niagara Circle Route Trials System is over 140 km of mostly off road, paved trails suitable for walking, cycling or rollerblading. Motorized vehicles are not permitted. The paved trail is mostly 3 metres wide and passes through urban centres, downtowns, the Niagara escapement, waterfronts, and rural/agricultural areas.
The system includes the Welland Canals Trail which passes alongside parts of the existing and previous canals from St. Catharines on Lake Ontario (north end) through Thorold and Welland to Port Colborne on Lake Erie (south end). The Friendship Trail goes between Port Colborne and Fort Erie (east end). From Fort Erie the Niagara River Recreation Trail follows the Niagara River, through the city of Niagara Falls, to Niagara-on-the-Lake (north end). The Waterfront Trail follows Lakeshore Road from Niagara-on-the-Lake to St. Catharines (west end). Trail mileage markers are on the trail around the circle starting at Old Fort Erie (km. 0) and proceeding in a counter-clockwise direction.
Around the circle or nearby are many accommodations, restaurants, and sights that include:
* Fort Erie, a historic fort at the junction of the Niagara River and Lake Erie.
* Numerous Niagara Parks Commission attractions and the world famous Niagara Falls, the reason for the Welland Canal.
* Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the first Capital of Upper Canada and a historic community that is also home to the Snow Festival.
* Vineyards, wineries and orchards alongside Lakeshore Road between Niagara-on-the-Lake and St. Catharines.
* The South Niagara Rowing Club in Welland, an internationally famous rowing course.
* Parts of the previous historic canals at various places.
* The St. Catharines Museum/Lock III Observation Area where visitors may view a canals exhibit and perhaps see a ship pass through the lock.
* The Flight Locks in Thorold where "the ships climb the mountain", and "Kissing Rock" beside the visitors Centre at Lock VII
* Murals in Thorold and downtown Welland.
* "Working in the Canal" the Feeder Canal Comprehensive Centre in Welland.
* Mud Lake Conservation Area and Lock VIII, the longest lock in the system, in Port Colborne.
