Bruce Trail Hike #3: Woodend Conservation Area to Merritt Rd.


Woodend Conservation Area to Merritt Rd.




Entrance to Bruce Trail off Taylor Rd.


We started this leg of our jouney at Woodend Conservation Area. We parked our other car at Valleyview Park (parking lot entrance off Willow St.).  We hiked the Bruce Trail to Merritt rd and then backtracked to take an unmarked side trail towards Willow St. With the exception of the section of the trail that follows the Welland Canal Trail, this 6km stretch of the Bruce Trail is for hiking only. Sorry mountain bikers. 




Much more sunlight coming through this forest resulting in lush green ground cover. 



Much of this section of the Bruce Trail is out in the open. Be sure to apply sunscreen and bring a hat and sunglasses! Also, watch out for flying golf balls...we saw several on the trail. In the distance in the photo below you can see the Glendale Avenue Bridge we will cross to go over the Welland Canal. 

Royal Niagara Golf Club

The trail brings you alongside one of the older Welland Canals. I believe it is the 3rd Canal in use from 1887-1932. 






For Sale: Vintage Car circa 1970's. Possibly a Chevy Caprice Classic or similar. Likely some water damage...selling as is. Best offer, buyer removes! 









 




Ship Tie Out


As you circle the golf course you can see the portion of the escarpment where we hiked on our 2nd trek. 







View of the Old Canal from Glendale Avenue



When you get to the end of this section of the Old Welland Canal you will continue into St. Catharines on Glendale Ave before connecting with the Welland Canals Trail.  



Bridge 5: Glendale Avenue Bridge



If you're hungry stop off at Lorenzo's Diner for some breakfast, poutine, or some ice cream. 




Lorenzo's Diner










Enjoying ice cream

We started this morning in Niagara on the Lake, hiked into St. Catharines then Thorald, and ended up back in St. Catharines. 







View of the Garden City Skyway over the Welland Canal



Once you cross the Glendale Avenue Bridge you'll be taking a left turn (South) and continuing along the Welland Canals Trail. 





Once you pass lock 4 you will be veering away from the Welland Canals Trail and continuing on the Bruce Trail. The trail is a switchback and easy to miss! 

Lock 4, Welland Canal


This section of the trail was a bit confusing. If you get to the benches at the top of the hill you've gone too far. The problem here is that, although we saw the right turn indicator and the gravel trail, we weren't sure if it was the correct trail because we couldn't see any Bruce Trail blazes. It turns out the white markers (not on black backgrounds) blended into the grey hydro poles and we just couldn't see them. 



Peter marking the turnoff for the Bruce Trail






Train Bridge at Lock 4




Wildflower Meadow







There were quite a few fruit trees along the old canal. We saw apples, pears, grapes and some berries. I don't recommend eating berries unless you know what they are. Some of the apples were ripe and made a good snack. If you know what the berries are please post a comment! 






Hike #3

Date:                         August 4th, 2021

Start:                        Woodend Conservation Area

Finish:                      Merritt rd, St. Catharines (parked at Valleyview                                      Park off Willow St.)

Distance:                Approximately 6kms

Time:                       Approximately 1.5 hours 

Trail Use:                 Hiking


Check out the Old Welland Canals Field Guide for more information. 

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