There's a natural dolomitic limestone bridge within a lesser known Ontario park
Fall adventures await at the Eramosa Karst Conservation Area, a park filled with underground caves and streams, meadows, forests, hiking trails and more. It’s home to one-of-a-kind geological wonders and here’s why it deserves a visit.
Not far from Toronto is Eramosa Karst Conservation Area, a lovely all-season destination with some interesting geology.
Its over four kilometres of trails, boardwalks, and bridges take you through several natural landscapes, according to Ontario Conservation Areas.
Three of its trails range from easy to moderate difficulty: Karst Features Trail, Meadows Trail, and Bobolink Trail.
What are ‘karsts’?
According to the Hamilton Conservation Authority, karsts are “geological formations including underground drainage, caves and passages caused by dissolving rock, found in limestone formations like the Niagara Escarpment.”
This park has about 16 different karst features like soil pipes, sinkholes, sinking streams, dry valleys, caves and passages.
The cave here is 335 metres long and is the tenth largest in Ontario.
Visitors will also find a “natural dolomitic limestone bridge at the entrance of one of the sinkholes.”
Per the HCA, the surface and groundwater drainage system that created the karst 13,000 years ago, after the last glacier retreated.
“Today the drainage system sustains the karst and provides examples of karst processes and features in different stages of development,” it adds.
Embarking on one of its lovely hikes is the best way to explore them.
Is it free?
Eramosa Karst Conservation Area is free to explore however you will need to pay for parking. It is $8 per day.
Make the most of this lovely weather before it gets too cold out there.
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