Elora

About Elora

Elora is a small village on the Grand River in Wellington County, west of Toronto, built around a dramatic limestone gorge. Mills once harnessed the river's power here, and the nineteenth-century stone buildings they left behind now house shops, inns, and restaurants. The combination of rugged scenery and handsome old architecture makes it a favorite weekend destination.

The Elora Gorge Conservation Area follows the river between sheer limestone cliffs, with trails, lookouts, and, in summer, tubing on the river. Near the village center, a rock island in the river known as the Tooth of Time is a local landmark. The Elora Mill, a restored mill turned into a hotel, spa, and restaurant, overlooks the falls, while Mill Street and Elora Mews hold boutiques and cafés. The Elora Quarry Conservation Area is a former limestone quarry turned swimming hole, and the Elora Cataract Trailway follows an old rail bed for walking and cycling. The Gorge Cinema and the Elora Centre for the Arts add culture, and the Wellington County Museum and Archives sits between Elora and neighboring Fergus. Elora Brewing Company serves beer in the heart of the village.

Elora suits couples, families, and day-trippers looking for scenery with good food. Summer weekends are busy, while autumn color along the gorge is a highlight.