St. Jacobs Market, Elora Gorge and Fergus day trip
St. Jacobs Market, Elora Gorge and Fergus
A market-day loop west of Toronto: Canada's largest year-round farmers' market at St. Jacobs, lunch in the Mennonite-country village, the 22 m (72 ft) limestone gorge of the Grand River at Elora Gorge Conservation Area, then the stone streets of Elora and Fergus before the drive home.
Time
11–12 hour day
Driving
About 4 hours driving, roughly 260 km (160 mi)
Best time
June to early October
Updated
$4 USD
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Ken Lund · CC BY-SA 2.0. September 2015 photograph; resized and displayed with crop.
Suggested times, not bookings
Your day at a glance
7:30 amLeave Toronto
9:00 amSt. Jacobs Farmers' Market
11:15 amSt. Jacobs village
1:15 pmElora Gorge Conservation Area
3:30 pmElora village
5:15 pmFergus and Templin Gardens
6:45 pmDrive back to Toronto
Highlights
Worth the trip
St. Jacobs Farmers' Market on a Thursday or Saturday, with outdoor farm stalls in season
Fenced trails above the 22 m (72 ft) deep Elora Gorge
Stone mill towns on the Grand River: Elora and Fergus
What’s in the guide
Detailed stop guidance, rules, practical pitfalls, a route map, Google Maps, Waze and Apple Maps links and weather alternatives. Read it online any time, or keep it offline in the Greg’s Guides app for iPhone and iPad. See an example guide →
Plan for the conditions
Expected seasonal weather
In July and August this part of southern Ontario usually sees highs around 25–27 °C (77–81 °F) and lows near 13–15 °C (55–59 °F), with humid spells and afternoon thunderstorms; heavy rain can raise the Grand River quickly and close tubing. September cools to highs near 20–22 °C (68–72 °F), and early October to around 13–16 °C (55–61 °F), with cold mornings and fall colour along the gorge. The gorge floor is shaded and cooler than the open market lots, which can be hot in the midday sun. These are seasonal expectations, not a forecast for your travel date; check the Environment and Climate Change Canada forecast the evening before and the morning of your trip.
Admission and parking are separate. Check current conditions before departure.
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