The Niagara Circle Route: Connecting Niagara

If you like to bike, hike, run or walk I have the perfect activity for you! Check out the unique Greater Niagara Circle RouteGreater Niagara Circle Route and experience Niagara in a new, exciting way.

The Circle Trail, Robin Hood Mill Port Colborne

The Greater Circle Route Trails System connects all of Niagara and is over 140 km of mostly off-road, paved trails suitable for walking, cycling or rollerblading. The paved trail is mostly three meters wide and passes through urban centres, downtowns, the Niagara Escarpment, waterfronts and agricultural areas.

The Circle Route consists of the following trails:
- Welland Canal Parkway Trail
- Fort Erie Friendship Trail
- Niagara River Recreation Trail 
- Waterfront Trail
- Trans Canada Trail

My favourite part of the trail (which I rediscovered when I moved home) is in Port Colborne near the old Robin Hood Mill. This part of the trail opens up into a beautiful wooded area with an old metal bridge that crosses the weir in the little town. This spot also offers a great view of the old Mill (which is a fantastic photo opportunity too!)

The Circle Route is one of the many aspects of Niagara that makes it so unique. It is rare to see a region that makes such an effort to join its communities together like this and because Niagara is so large I think it is an amazing feat. So if you want to explore a little more of Niagara, grab your friends and your camera and spend a day discovering the Niagara Circle Trail.


 

The Dollhouse - A Haunting Experience

The Niagara Region is rich with history that is centuries old. Every municipality in Niagara boasts Victorian mansions, monuments and historical buildings. With so much history in one area is it any wonder that some of these buildings are said to be haunted?

The Mildred Mahoney Dollhouse Gallery or "The Dollhouse" as it is called by locals is considered to be one of the most haunted places in Niagara.



The Dollhouse, 657 Niagara Boulevard, Fort Erie

Located at 657 Niagara Boulevard along the Niagra River in Fort Erie, The Dollhouse was originally built in 1835. During the 19th century the building was a main entry point of the Underground Railway. A large tunnel was located in the basement of the builidng until it was sealed as a result of the owner's son drowning in the tunnel. Today visitors can view recreated quarters that would have served as a safe haven for escaped slaves.It is said that the building is haunted by the spirit of the former owner's drowned son. Current owners describe incidences of objects moving by themselves, creaks on staircases, voices of children and that of an old man.

In addition to being known as a "haunted house," The Mildred Mahoney Dollhouse Gallery was once home to the largest dolls' house collection in the world.

The building is now owned by the Niagara Parks Commission but due to lack of funding it no longer houses it's impressive dollhouse collection. While "The Dollhouse" is no longer operating as a gallery, believers in spirts and paranormal activity and sceptics alike can still stop by to decide for themselves if it truly is haunted.

Interested in haunted houses? Check out Glenn White's experience at The Dollhouse