Start out nice and early to enjoy this one-day itinerary exploring the upside of rural Hamilton.
If you’ve ever driven along the QEW from Hamilton to Niagara, you’ve likely gazed at the stretch of Niagara Escarpment that runs parallel to the highway. Spring, Summer and Fall is a beautiful time to take a day trip detour to spend a leisurely morning and afternoon exploring the scenic views and interesting stops located along this extraordinary ridge. Explore local farms and growers, craft makers and bakers, artisanal cheeses, Upper Canada heritage, and a 316-acres of unique natural features conservation area.
EARLY MORNING: Stoney Creek
Saltfleet Conservation Area is HCA’s newest area to explore and is located south of the Niagara Escarpment in the Upper Stoney Creek and Upper Battlefield Creek watersheds. Saltfleet boasts nearly 268 acres of unique natural features. Currently, the area offers a single trail, the Heritage Green Community Trust Trail, which connects to the Dofasco 2000 Trail and Devil’s Punchbowl Conservation Area. The newly created wetland is already providing habitat for aquatic plants, birds, amphibians, fish and other wildlife. Perfect for hiking.
Take a moment along the route to stop at this Ridge Road Lookout for views of Lake Ontario and Stoney Creek. Perched on the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, enjoy the views to Lake Ontario.
LATE MORNING: STONEY CREEK & HANNON
Come for a tour of the Erland Lee (Musuem) Home that served the Lee family for six generations, spanning over 160-years. This historic home and beautiful grounds was the birthplace of the world’s first Women’s Institute and largest rural women’s movement. They provide custom tours focusing on the history of the Lee Family and their unique contribution to the Women’s Institute’s founding. The Lee family recognized the need for rural women to be educated, particularly in the area of domestic science. Take a step back in time as you experience what life would have looked like for these early settlers in Upper Canada as they lived their lives.
This family-owned and operated cheese company for over 70 years, is one of the first and oldest European cheese makers in Canada. Visiting Paron Cheese you will experience a traditional, family-oriented enterprise. Tasting their cheeses, you will discover Old World flavours recreated in Canada. Natale Paron established the company in the 1930’s above the Niagara Escarpment from the community of Stoney Creek. Italian-Canadians were settling in the Hamilton area and Paron knew they would be seeking ingredients reminiscent of their homeland. Come and experience our traditional methods and finest award-winning hand-crafted cheeses. Step back in time and taste our all-natural preservative-free cheeses.
At The Udder Way Artisan Cheese Co., they take pride in continuing the traditions of Canadian cheese making while also pushing the boundaries of innovation. Their award-winning artisan cheeses are made using the finest local milk from Guernsey and Holstein cows, goats, and sheep, ensuring that every batch is packed with nutritious A2 protein. Their commitment to using local farms is not only important for the quality of their cheese but also for the sustainability of the cheese industry. They believe that supporting local farmers helps to strengthen our communities and ensures that we can continue to produce high-quality cheese for years to come. Drop in for a wonderful selection of cheeses and artisan Gelato in delectable locally-sourced ingredients and flavours.
Tall Post Craft Cider is a small-batch craft cider house with flavours from their ever-growing and on-farm orchard and local growers, perfectly integrated into their blends. This Ontario farm experience aims to make its products from bushel to bottle! Focused on small-batch craft experiences, searching out new spices, flavours, and Ontario-grown fruits to be integrated into each blend. Nestled in rural Stoney Creek and in the heart of farmland, this stop is a rustic factory-style cidery experience to taste local.
AFTERNOON: HANNON & BINBROOK
Stop by Murphy’s Country Produce, a 4-acre family-run farm, yielding season produce and the purists in jams, jellies, honey and more. This is the perfect rural discovery to celebrate locally grown produce. The Murphy family makes various fruits and vegetables such as raspberries, tomatoes, peas, sweet corn, fava beans and pumpkins and just recently have introduced fresh cut daily sunflowers and gladiolas! With happy smiles and interesting stories, this family farm is the perfect place to brighten the day.
A fresh and locally grown experience. Stop by the 150-year-old Fletcher Fruit Farm where you are buying directly from the farmer! Choose or simply pick your own fruit and veggies from the twenty-three varieties of apples and the seven varieties of pears. If that doesn’t satisfy you, try some of their in-season squash and pumpkins, pure non-pasteurized and creamed honey. Finally, finish off with some hot apple cider to have the perfect part to the day.
The Paradise Fields vision is for the improvement of health within Hamilton, Southern Ontario, and beyond. This initiative has given them a strong directive of giving back. Paradise Fields is not just an Organic farm but a place that teaches the visitor how to get the best out of their food and live their healthiest lives. Stop by these welcoming fields to enjoy exceptional organic fruit and vegetable the way it was originally intended: nutrient-rich and abundant in flavour while learning how to live your best life!
Lincoln Line Orchards farm market offers a variety of fresh produce, cider, pies, honey, preserves, and many other local products. This family-run fruit farm has been producing fruit for over 50 years. With 50 acres of fruit production, they care for an average of 25,000 trees. Come and discover the incredible varieties of pears, peaches, and plums. The orchard grows their own Honey Crisp, Ambrosia, Mutsu, Joan Gold, Cortland, Golden Delicious, Royal Gala, and so much more!
LATE AFTERNOON/EVENING: STONEY CREEK
Luna Farms is a fruit farm on the amazing and picturesque Niagara Escarpment in Stoney Creek. They grow apples, plums and grapes and offer seasonal pick-your-own apples and fruit especially for those who want to immerse themselves in the age-old fall tradition of harvesting fruit. An authentic experience of picking apples right off the tree is an Ontario must-do. With over 25 varieties of those favourites, locally grown. Learn about their give-back program, support local food banks.
Ridge Road Estate Winery is a boutique winery located on a picturesque vineyard on the Niagara Escarpment that has been family owned since 1875. Enjoy small-lot hand-crafted wines on a flight board or by the glass. Pair your wine with cheese or charcuterie boards or a picnic basket and relax in the cozy tasting room or outdoor wine patio. Be sure to try the signature red “Call Me A Cab”. Don’t miss live music Friday & Saturday nights from June – September, and keep an eye on the website for seasonal events and experiences. Reservations recommended.
Please use caution as bicycling directions include roadways where traffic exits. Bicycle lanes do not exit on all or any roadway or path. We recommend that you wear a helmet while cycling and adhere to laws and rules of the road when cycling in Ontario. Minors are required to wear helmets.
