HELP: Route needed from Markham ON to Niagara Falls ON

[Major]

Hi. My wife and I are riding this weekend to Niagara Falls ON this weekend. Does anyone have a nice route from Markham ON to Niagara. We don't mind taking the 'scenic' route. She has an M1 so 400 series highways are out.

Also, I would like to do the famous River Road near Port Dover if that's possible on this trip.

Any help or guidance from people who've done this route would really be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[mimico_polak]

This is the route I was suggested by cknowles:

Here's a Map of the Route.
http://g.co/maps/ba4sz

It's something you could use for the second half of your journey through the Niagara Region but getting to Burlington, I'm not too familiar with roads North of the city. I plan on doing this route in the next few weeks.​

​

​

 

[BeastieGirl]

Is this a day trip or overnight trip? Is River Road in Port Dover famous? Its certainly not right on the way, but its possible, depending on how much time you have. If its just a day trip with a new rider (and I'm assuming fairly new with just an M1), I'd think it would be a little too much to add on. Niagara Parkway is beautiful, but it will be packed this weekend, so you won't be making much in the way of time. Ridge Road is also scenic and winding - there is one turn marked at 20 kph - take it at 20 or even lower - there is always gravel in that corner.

 

[Major]

Thanks mimico polak. The map that you provided certainly helps.

Is this a day trip or overnight trip? Is River Road in Port Dover famous? Its certainly not right on the way, but its possible, depending on how much time you have. If its just a day trip with a new rider (and I'm assuming fairly new with just an M1), I'd think it would be a little too much to add on. Niagara Parkway is beautiful, but it will be packed this weekend, so you won't be making much in the way of time. Ridge Road is also scenic and winding - there is one turn marked at 20 kph - take it at 20 or even lower - there is always gravel in that corner.

The trip is overnight (for the V long weekend). The Port Dover detour is acceptable for the additional time. I will lookup Ridge Road (thanks).

 

[BeastieGirl]

OK. I'll try to come up with more helpful directions - since I live in the area, I tend to just point and go and don't know the names of half the routes I take - Ridge Road is a 10 minute drive from me and Niagara Falls is 45 minutes or so

 

[suzuki2000]

OK. I'll try to come up with more helpful directions - since I live in the area, I tend to just point and go and don't know the names of half the routes I take - Ridge Road is a 10 minute drive from me and Niagara Falls is 45 minutes or so

where are you located in niagara?

Ridge would be a good ride and then hwy 8 to st kitts. then take effingham and the other roads up toward fonthill before heading into Niagara Falls
lots of good stretches of roads to try out. enjoy the scenery and the ride

 

[MacDoc]

OP - I'll try and take some time to get you across from Markham on an interesting route
( maybe some one more familiar can get him across from Markham to the Grange and Forks tho new rider needs care on the Forks hairpin.)
including White Church Road, The Grange east of 10, Forks of the Credit, Appleby Line, 4th Sideroad over to 1 sideroad and across the backside of Waterdown etc down through Snake and across to Dundas and Ancaster.

After that you want to hit Dover via 6 ( boring ) then along 3 ( there is a very nice cut off down to the the Lake at Selkirk and just stay right along the lake there - slow and windy. to to Port Colborne

and down to Fort Erie via Crystal Beach and some of the back roads there ( follow the lake ) to the Niagara Parkway. Take the Parkway through the Falls

Then come back along the Niagara Parkway to Niagara on the Lake - then through St. Catherines along 8 and jump up to the top of the Escarpment to catch Ridge Road to 20 - then down to Lakeshore ( good fish and chips shop )

You could head back along the Lakeshore all the way to Markham if you want tho the street car tracks might be annoying.

In the meantime check out this for some of the backroads out of Markham. These are newbie friendly routes done up by my riding buddy
http://wingnutty.ca

I helped him with the escarpment route north of Burlington.

•••
BG

OK. I'll try to come up with more helpful directions - since I live in the area, I tend to just point and go and don't know the names of half the routes I take - Ridge Road is a 10 minute drive from me and Niagara Falls is 45 minutes or so

ain't that the truth - been riding along the escarpment there for 40 years and still haven't a clue on some of the road names. It's one of those - that looks interesting routes...

BTW OP there is a really sweet but short section in Ridgeway to the north called Split Rock road ( really Ridge Road ) which is one of THE nicest stretches of twisty with elevation changes ) but you will have to search it out. I grew up there but hard to direct you.