Dufferin Islands

Dufferin Islands is the Canadian side's gentlest escape from the crowds, and it is only a few minutes upriver from the brink of the Horseshoe Falls. Niagara Parks describes it as a secluded ten-acre paradise: a group of small islands separated by calm channels, linked by footpaths and wooden and concrete bridges, all tucked into a bend beside the Niagara Parkway where the river begins to gather speed toward the falls. The contrast is the point. Ten minutes earlier you were in the spray and noise at Table Rock; here the water is still, the paths are shaded, ducks and geese paddle in the channels, and the loudest sound may be the wind in the trees. The main loop is about 1.7 kilometres, with paved and gravel sections, gentle slopes and railed bridges, and it is manageable for most visitors, including people with strollers or mobility devices, though a few steeper spots may need a hand. The islands have been naturalised with native plantings and fish, and they are popular with birdwatchers and photographers, especially in autumn colour. Picnic tables are scattered through the park on a first-come, first-served basis, and small barbecues are permitted under Niagara Parks rules. Access is free. In winter the islands are quiet and often pretty under snow, and they have traditionally been part of the Winter Festival of Lights, with light displays reflected in the channels; check the current festival map for this season's routes. For families with small children who need a break from the crowds, couples looking for a short, peaceful walk, and anyone staying in the Fallsview hotels, it is an easy, free recommendation within a short walk or drive.

A bit of context: the islands take their name from Lord Dufferin, Governor General of Canada in the 1870s, a period when the movement to protect the land around the falls from industry and hucksters was gathering strength on both sides of the border. The park is a reminder of how much of the Canadian riverfront was saved as green space, and how varied it is: from the thundering brink to these still backwaters is a matter of minutes. The channels are sheltered from the main current, which is why the water stays calm and still while the main channel a few metres away races toward the falls; in autumn the maples and willows reflected in it make this one of the most photographed quiet corners of the Canadian side.

How to visit: from Table Rock, follow the river path or the Niagara Parkway upriver past the Floral Showhouse; the islands are on the right, just past the old power station buildings. Drivers will find Niagara Parks parking nearby. Walk the full loop in thirty to forty-five minutes, or stop for a picnic. Stakes, tents and umbrellas are not permitted, and propane barbecues must use small tanks.

Who it suits: families with young children, since the paths are easy and there is plenty to look at; couples wanting a quiet stroll; birdwatchers and photographers; and visitors with limited mobility who want a nature walk without stairs. It is not a must for a short trip focused on the falls themselves, but as a calm interlude between Table Rock and the Fallsview hotels, it is hard to beat.