The Niagara Escarpment is perhaps the most visually exciting region in all of Ontario. Considered one of the world’s natural wonders, the Escarpment is recognized as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve site. Spanning 725 kilometres and covering 1923 km2 of land, the Escarpment is home to a myriad of farms, towns, cities, villages, recreation areas, sweeping scenic views, 1,675-foot cliffs, wetlands, and waterfalls – most notably, Niagara Falls.
From an agricultural perspective, the Niagara Escarpment offers perfect growing conditions for tender fruit and grapes. The Niagara tender fruit growing region is one of the most productive fruit growing regions in the world! The Niagara Peninsula - between the Escarpment and Lake Ontario - produces the largest amount of Ontario’s tender fruit.
- 94% of Ontario grapes come from the Niagara region
- 90% of Peaches
- 80% of plums
- 75% of sweet cherries
- 72% of pears
- 60% of sour cherries
Aside from the ecological benefits, the Niagara Escarpment offers some of Ontario's most beautiful and unique natural settings in which to walk, camp, cycle, or drive.
One site to check out while visiting the Niagara Escarpment would be the Niagara Gorge. Formed 18,000 years ago from melting ice sheets, the Gorge hosts forest unlike any other due to its elevation, proximity to the water, and includes a pristine stretch of Carolinean forest.
The Niagara Escarpment isn’t just beautiful nature, it’s also an economic hub. Did you know that the Niagara Escarpment:
- Supports over 20,000 jobs
- Contributes $1.4 billion to the region’s agricultural GDP
- Provides up to 90% of all of Ontario’s tender fruit production
- Is the most biodiverse region in all of Ontario
- Includes 90 species of fish and 350 species of birds
- Is home to 109 species of plants and animals considered threatened or endangered.
Aside from the ecological benefits, the Niagara Escarpment offers some of Ontario's most beautiful and unique natural settings in which to walk, camp, cycle, or drive. The presence of large rock formations and dense forest create a hiker's paradise - and given that the Escarpment extends as far north as the Bruce Peninsula, it provides a wealth of unique nature experiences across the Greenbelt for you to discover! However you like to experience nature, the Escarpment literally has something for everyone.