OLYMPIC TORCH RUN LEGACY TRAIL:
VICTORIA AVE PATHWAY:
NIAGARA FALLS, ONTARIO CANADA
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: August 02, 2017
Length: Olympic Torch Run Legacy Trail; 0.9 miles
Victoria Ave Pathway; 0.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy. Flat paved rail trail.
Directions:
To Start from Queen Street [Northern End]; From Niagara Falls, NY take the Rainbow Bridge into Canada. Take your first right after clearing customs on Blondin Ave, then your second right down John St to Niagara Pkwy. Head left 0.9 miles, then left on Queen St. The trail head is on your left next to Rosberg Family Park. On-street parking available otherwise their is a FEE for the parking lots.
The Olympic Torch Run Legacy Trail has an interesting history. As is the norm during the Olympics, the Olympic torch relay is conducted through several places before reaching the Games destination. During the 2010 Winter Olympics, Niagara Falls was labeled a Celebration Community for the torch relay. The Celebration Community tag is due to the fact that the flame stayed longer in the city as compared to other places. And such communities were expected to undertake legacy projects in honor of the torch relay. The Olympic Torch Trail is the legacy that was made to commemorate this piece of history and it continues to benefit locals and visitors alike. The Victoria Ave Pathway is simply an extension of the Olympic Torch Run Legacy Trail into the tourist Mecca of Niagara Falls.
Starting from Queen Street [Northern End]; The wide, paved Olympic Torch Run Legacy Trail starts off Queen St next to the Rosberg Family Park. Splash feature, playground and picnic tables located here. This trail follows an old rail bed along an urban corridor. Several street crossings before you come to Palmer Ave after 0.9 miles and the end of the trail. Head left on-road (sidewalk available) along a bridge over Falls Ave and you'll come to Bender St at 1 mile. Here you'll pick up the brick lined Victoria Ave Pathway. This trail follows Victoria Ave past all the kitschy tourist attractions. Lots of places to eat. Cross Clifton Hill after 1.3 miles.
Note; If you head left 0.3 miles down Clifton Hill you can connect to the Niagara River Recreational Trail .
Pass by the Niagara Speedway where the trail narrows and becomes too congested with pedestrians. Instead head left traveling around the Niagara Speedway then north past the Niagara Sky Wheel returning to Clifton Hill after 1.6 miles.
Note; If you head right 0.2 miles down Clifton Hill you can connect to the Niagara River Recreational Trail .
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WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT