Markets, small towns & river views · Ontario

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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The Grand River runs over a rocky bed between steep cedar-covered walls of the Elora Gorge, with early autumn colour on the trees and a road bridge across the gorge in the distance
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.

A good day, in the bag.

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