Left: Small waterfall at Louth Conservation Area. The water has carved a path through the hard rocks. Top right: Trail running through Louth Conservation Area. This portion of the trail is well kept and wide for visitors to use. Bottom right: A break in the trees overlooking an open field beside Louth Conservation Area. In mid-autumn, deer can be spotted here. Photos: Samantha Stea.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Louth Conservation Area is one of the most well kept secrets of the Niagara Region. It is a great place to visit for those interested in waterfalls and geology. Louth is located in Lincoln County along the 16 Mile Creek off of Staff Avenue, just north of the Staff Estate Winery. The area is geologically important as it contains many valleys and rock formations as well as two waterfalls and is part of the Niagara Escarpment. The area is located near many wineries, providing an opportunity for visitors to experience the Niagara wine country as they journey to Louth Conservation Area.
Louth Conservation Area provides visitors with a small parking lot as well as access to the Bruce Trail and Louth's own trail system. Visitors can expect to see many types of birds and animals as they hike through the area. The area is largely secluded and does not receive many visitors so anyone looking for a private and uninterrupted nature experience will be able to have this at Louth Conservation Area.
Located just 1.6 km away on Staff Avenue, visitors can also enjoy an overnight stay at the Shangri-La Campground.
Photo Gallery
Up close of a spotted knapp weed at Louth Conservation Area. Its bright purple colour makes it standout from the surrounding green vegetation. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
Trail running through Louth Conservation Area. This portion of the trail is well kept and wide for visitors use. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
Closest intersection to Louth Conservation Area. Ninth Street and Ellis Ave. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
Entrance to Louth Conservation Area. Large rock formations like these can be seen throughout the area. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
Direction sign for Staff Estates Winery down the road from entrance of Louth Conservation Area. Louth Conservation Area is less than 1 km up the road from this point. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
A break in the trees overlooking an open field beside Louth Conservation Area. In mid-autumn deer can be spotted here. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
A toad hiding in the fallen branches. Its colour allows it to blend in very well with its surroundings. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
The creek at Louth running gently towards the sudden drop of the waterfall. The drop is a few meters high. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
Information for visitors about trail use. Visitors can use trails at their own risk, and horseback riding is not allowed. A few paces in, the trails are already dense with forest. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
Small waterfall at Louth Conservation Area. The water has carved a path through the hard rocks. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
Rocks underfoot at Louth Conservation Area covered in moss. Visitors should be cautious while traversing these areas. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
The Creek with low water level running through Louth Conservation Area, allowing the rocks to be seen. From here the bottom of the creek is roughly 2.5 meters below. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
Bruce Trail Indicator legend on a tree in Louth Conservation Area. This sign explains what all the tree markings mean. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
Bruce Trail indicators on a tree at Louth Conservation Area. These are here to help visitors find their way and stay on track. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
Rock formations in Louth Conservation Area. The forest grows around the rocks, often encasing them in vegetation. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
Up close of a spotted knapp weed at Louth Conservation Area. Its bright purple colour makes it standout from the surrounding green vegetation. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
Trail running through Louth Conservation Area. This portion of the trail is well kept and wide for visitors use. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
Closest intersection to Louth Conservation Area. Ninth Street and Ellis Ave. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
Entrance to Louth Conservation Area. Large rock formations like these can be seen throughout the area. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
Direction sign for Staff Estates Winery down the road from entrance of Louth Conservation Area. Louth Conservation Area is less than 1 km up the road from this point. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
A break in the trees overlooking an open field beside Louth Conservation Area. In mid-autumn deer can be spotted here. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
A toad hiding in the fallen branches. Its colour allows it to blend in very well with its surroundings. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
The creek at Louth running gently towards the sudden drop of the waterfall. The drop is a few meters high. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
Information for visitors about trail use. Visitors can use trails at their own risk, and horseback riding is not allowed. A few paces in, the trails are already dense with forest. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
Small waterfall at Louth Conservation Area. The water has carved a path through the hard rocks. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
Rocks underfoot at Louth Conservation Area covered in moss. Visitors should be cautious while traversing these areas. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
The Creek with low water level running through Louth Conservation Area, allowing the rocks to be seen. From here the bottom of the creek is roughly 2.5 meters below. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
Bruce Trail Indicator legend on a tree in Louth Conservation Area. This sign explains what all the tree markings mean. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
Bruce Trail indicators on a tree at Louth Conservation Area. These are here to help visitors find their way and stay on track. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
Rock formations in Louth Conservation Area. The forest grows around the rocks, often encasing them in vegetation. (Photo: Samantha Stea)
4.Slight Right towards the Gardiner Expressway West
5.Take the Gardiner Expressway West ramp
6.Merge onto the Gardiner Expressway West
7.Continue onto the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW)
8.Merge onto the Queen Elizabeth Way
9.Keep left to continue on the Queen Elizabeth Way, following signs for Niagara/East Hamilton/Fort Erie
10. Take exit 55 towards Regional Road 26/ Jordan Road
11. Turn left (west) onto Bayview Boulevard
12. Take the first right (south) onto Jordan Road/Regional Road 2
13. Turn left (west) onto King Street
14. Take first right (south) onto 17th Street
15. Turn left (west) onto Staff Avenue
Destination will be on the right.
From Niagara:
1. Head north on Stanley Avenue toward spring Street
2. Turn left onto ON-420 West
3. Keep left at fork, following signs for Queen Elizabeth Way/Hamilton/Toronto and merge onto Queen Elizabeth Way
4. Take exit 55 toward Jordan Road/Regional Road 26
5. Turn left onto North Service Road (signs for Regional Road 26)
6. Take the first left (south) onto Jordan Road/Regional Road 26
7. Turn left (east) onto King Street
8. Take the first right (south) onto 17 Street
9. Turn left (east) onto Staff Avenue
Destination will be on the right.
Historical
In 1973 the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority purchased the segment of land known as the Louth Conservation Area. Since then, a portion of the Niagara Escarpment has been preserved by the Louth Conservation Area. Louth also contains many historic rock formations.
ECOLOGICAL
There are two waterfalls you can see during your hike throughout Louth Conservation Area. The first waterfall is known as the upper falls and plummets 3.66 meters. The second waterfall is known as the lower falls. The lower falls are much larger and plummet 7.92 meters. These waterfalls are made possible because of their location on the Niagara Escarpment. The waterfalls are located where 16 Mile Creek tumbles over the limestone of the Niagara Escarpment. This unique landscape has developed within the deciduous forest as exposed limestone is eroded chemically by weak acids in precipitation. The shallow trenches you can see along your hike most likely began as joints in the bedrock, which were enlarged by chemical erosion over-time.
There is also a variety of wildlife in the Louth Conservation Area. In the fall months there have been multiple white-tailed deer sightings, as well as migratory bird sightings.