Free
Elora Cataract Trailway
A rail trail of about 47 km from Elora to the Forks of the Credit, through farmland and woods.
Home / Guides / Elora and Fergus
Wellington County, Ontario
Elora and Fergus
Two stone villages on the Grand River, with a limestone gorge for tubing, an old quarry for swimming, and Ontario's last covered bridge nearby.
Photo: The Grand River in the Elora Gorge, Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
Elora grew up around a mill at the falls, where the Grand River drops into a limestone gorge. The village centre is all old stone buildings, shops and cafés along Mill Street, made for slow wandering.
Fergus, five minutes upstream, is another stone town with riverside gardens. Between them run the gorge trails, and the Elora Cataract Trailway heads off through farm country.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
Templin Gardens, Fergus
Terraced riverside gardens on the Grand River in Fergus.
Free
West Montrose Covered Bridge
Ontario's last remaining historic covered bridge, known as the Kissing Bridge, about 20 minutes south.
Cheap
Elora Gorge Conservation Area
Trails along the rim of a limestone gorge up to 22 m deep, with lookouts, the Hole in the Rock and camping.
Cheap
Elora Quarry Conservation Area
A former limestone quarry turned swimming hole, with cliffs around the water. Summer only.
Cheap
Rockwood Conservation Area
Glacial potholes, caves and cliffs on the Eramosa River, about 25 minutes away.
Paid
Tubing the Elora Gorge
Float down the Grand River through the gorge on a rented tube in summer, when water levels allow.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Free
Elora's Mill Street and the falls
Stone shops and cafés beside the falls and the restored mill.
Free
Wellington County Museum
A county museum in a historic house of industry between Elora and Fergus. Admission is by donation.
Paid
Elora Festival
A summer music festival in July, with choral and classical concerts.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Free
St. Jacobs Farmers' Market
One of Canada's biggest year-round farmers' markets, about 30 minutes away. Check market days.
Paid
Fergus Scottish Festival
Highland games, pipe bands and dancing each August.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Elora Quarry day pass
Summer swimming day passes; reserve ahead on busy days.
Also bookable, listed above
These are in the lists above, so we don't repeat them here.
- Tubing the Elora Gorge Rental
- Elora Festival Show
Part of our Grand River guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- Tubing the gorge and swimming in the quarry are each half a day in summer.
- The stone village is lovely in the evening, with the falls lit beside the old mill.
- St. Jacobs Farmers' Market and the West Montrose covered bridge are close for a second day.
Nearby and worth the drive
Stratfordabout 60 min · Guide ↗
Swans, gardens and the Stratford Festival.
St. Jacobsabout 30 min · Guide ↗A huge farmers' market and Mennonite country.
Ready-made trips with Elora and Fergus
Good to know
- Tourism: centrewellington.ca.
- Conservation areas: Day passes and tube rentals through the Grand River Conservation Authority; summer reservations recommended.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: The Grand River in the Elora Gorge, Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: The West Montrose Covered Bridge, Peter K Burian, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: The lake at Rockwood Conservation Area, XeresNelro, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: The Elora Mill above the Grand River, JustSomePics, CC BY-SA 4.0