Limehouse Conservation Area is known for its rock crevices, well-preserved limestone kilns and remains of an old mill. Located on the Niagara Escarpment, about 2km of the Bruce Trail run through the area. It is a popular hiking spot in any season, with almost 5 kilometres of trails. Biking is not allowed in the area.
Radial Rail Trail / 0.8 km
This short trail follows the original route of the Toronto Suburban “Radial” Railroad, which ran between Toronto and Guelph.
Bruce Trail / 2 km
The main Bruce Trail takes you past all the attractions – rock crevices with ladders, 100-200-year-old oaks and maples, light tall forests, the deep valley of Black Creek, ruins of a blast furnace, bridge and powder house.
Black Creek Side Trail / 1.5 km
This trail follows the valley of Black Creek and winds through the wooded hillsides.
History of limestone kilns
Limehouse kilns date back to 1800’s represent an important part of Ontario’s past associated with the Niagara Escarpment’s natural resources.
The old limestone kilns are evidence of the area’s industrial development at the end of the 19th century. The kilns were used to burn crushed stone – limestone – and transform it into powdered lime by heat. This was transported in sacks or loose on wagons on the local railway.
Lime is still used today for making mortar in the construction of stone and brick buildings and for whitewashing walls etc.
The lime-making process involves heating limestone (calcium carbonate) in a kiln at high temperatures (around 900-1000°C), causing it to decompose into quicklime (calcium oxide) and carbon dioxide. This quicklime can be mixed with water to produce slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) for various industrial applications, including soil stabilization, steel manufacturing, and water treatment.
What not to do
Limehouse Conservation Area has became a popular spot for many. Sadly, we have witnessed acts of disrespect for the nature and local history.
- Mindless destruction of shrubs and flora is an act of primitive vandalism. Believe it or not, we have witnessed adults breaking young trees along the trail but they could not explain why they do it.
- Taking group pictures on the stone arch over the river is prohibited as it may cause the structure to collapse.
- Playing your favourite music when hiking is best with the headphones on, rather than blasting it for everyone to hear.
- If you must bring that fancy coffee with you, don’t leave the empty cup by the tree – bring it with you to the parking lot and put it in the garbage bin. No one sweeps the trails at the end of the day.
- Picking up after your dog is admirable but leaving the poop bag in the forest makes no sense at all. The same goes for throwing it on a tree. Bring it back with you and throw it in the garbage bin, or let your dog do his business off the trail and nature will take care of things…
