Limehouse Conservation Area

 

In November, we covered the Hilton Falls Conservation Area. Also nearby is the Limehouse Conservation Area, another gem of the Credit Valley. It has the classic features of the Niagara escarpment, so you know it’s a good, scenic hike.

The Limehouse Conservation Area gets its name from the limestone that is prevalent in the area. Inside the conservation area are some old abandoned limestone kilns, some of which you can get up close and personal with.

In my opinion, what makes the trails special aren’t just the kilns themselves, though they are very impressive. What’s special to me is the sheer variety of scenery in this quite small conservation area. In addition to the kilns, there are: rushing rapids spanned by a graceful stone arch, the remnants of an old mill, peaceful river, mature forests (of course) carpeted with greenery and wildflowers, and an impressive maze of stone caverns and cliffs.

Check it out:

Rivers,...

...flowers, ...

… and caverns, oh my!

Down to brass tacks. There are a handful of entry points to the conservation area, so make note of which one you entered through. Snap or download a picture of the trail map because the interconnected trails can get a bit confusing the first time around. There’s so much to see in such a small area, it’s really worth a visit. 

Limehouse doesn’t currently require reservations, so it tends to get busy. I recommend going early in the day to make the most of your experience. In times of pandemics, remember to wear a mask if you encounter a bottleneck of fellow intrepid explorers.

Gen