Waterfalls of Ontario's Golden Horseshoe

The Golden Horseshoe region is an area of Southern Ontario that encompasses the Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton, and Niagara areas. The Golden Horseshoe accounts for over 21 percent of the population of Canada and more than 55 percent of Ontario's population. This region is geographically characterized by the  Niagara Escarpment , a world biosphere as designated by the United Nations, runs from the north at Bruce Peninsula and then east through the region cutting the Niagara Gorge at Niagara Falls.[1] Due to its natural topography of this region it is host to an abundance of spectacular waterfalls.

The Niagara escarpment is composed of dolomitic limestone formed four hundred and forty-five million years ago as sediment in a marine environment and are now all that is left of an ancient seabed. Since then the escarpment has formed over the millions of years through a process of differential erosion of rocks of different hardnesses. The softer rocks weather and/or erode faster than the harder rocks do. The gradual removal of the soft rocks undercuts the harder caprock, leaving the resulting escarpment. The Niagara Escarpment is perhaps most famous as the cliff over which the Niagara River plunges at  Niagara Falls . [2]

In one of the most densely populated areas of Canada, these waterfalls are right in our backyards. The city of Hamilton which lies at the heart of the Golden Horseshoe is home to a large concentration of waterfalls in this region. The city of Hamilton is also appropriately named The City of Waterfalls. The City of Hamilton has a very comprehensive  website  devoted to the many waterfalls within its boundaries. These and many more waterfalls in Golden Horseshoe region are just waiting to be explored and enjoyed.

As in other major urban areas around North America, there are no shortage of amenities to make a day or weekend of waterfall exploring more enjoyable. The Golden Horseshoe being a heavily populated area, means you won't have any trouble finding a place to park to start your next adventure. While you are exploring the regions waterfalls, why not stop and enjoy one of the many local parks. These local parks make a great place for a picnic to refuel or to rest while out waterfall hunting.

The most famous waterfall in the Golden Horseshoe is without a doubt Niagara Falls. Comprising of three waterfalls, the Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. With a vertical drop of over 50 m and with more than 168,000 m3 of water rushing over the edge every second, the sound and sight of the falls is both defining and mesmerizing. [4]

For anyone interested in discovering waterfalls, it may come as no surprise that being in nature can be good for our minds and souls. Research has proven that being in nature can have lasting positive impacts on our health. Nature can heal, sooth, restore, and even connect us in ways that nothing else can. Being in nature, not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical well-being. Exposure to nature often reduces our stress, and anxiety while increasing feelings of calm and peacefulness. With these changes in mental state, we become better connected not only to those around us but our environment as well. [7]

Time to get outside, plan that trip, and explore one of the many spectacular waterfalls near you.