Ultimate Elora Quarry Guide for Nature Lovers

The Elora Quarry is just 1.5 hours from Toronto, located in Elora, Ontario, a charming little town known for its limestone architecture, riverside views, incredible restaurants, beautiful hikes, and so much more. It’s a nature lovers paradise! We visited Elora this summer in the 2024 All-Electric Subaru Solterra and discovered that the Elora Quarry is up there with The Grotto in Tobermory and Pinery Provincial Park in terms of uniqueness.

Since the Elora Quarry is a conservation area, it’s so important to be mindful of the environment. We loved that Elora Quarry promoted leaving no trace on their website and onsite. In fact, a lot of the local businesses in Elora and the town itself have a lot of sustainability initiatives, which is important to us. In fact, we drove to Elora in the 2024 All-Electric Subaru Solterra because they have over 20 EV charging stations in this small town (more on that below!). 

Read on for everything you need to know about the Elora Quarry!

Getting around Elora, Ontario

Before you go to the Elora Quarry, you’ll want to know the best way to get there, and get around! Driving is the best way to see everything there is in Elora, plus most visitors drive to the Elora Quarry.

We test drove the Subaru Solterra luxury package in two-tone smoked carbon. It was the perfect ride for an Elora road trip. First, because Elora has so many electric vehicle (EV) charging stations close by. While we didn’t need to charge the Solterra to get home, thanks to the long lasting EV battery, we still did a top up at the end of our trip. It was an easy, seamless, and quick process! We found a level 2 charging station, which is compatible with the Solterra charge cable. We also appreciated that the EV battery in the Solterra will retain 90% battery life after 10 years, so the Solterra is with you for the long haul!

There are also lots of back roads in Elora with soft terrain (from grassy fields to gravel) so we loved that the Subaru Solterra offers the same excellent rugged capability as non-EV Subaru SUVs. It has Subaru’s famous Symmetrical Full-Time All-Wheel Drive for extra peace of mind and enjoyment on the country roads. There’s also 210mm of ground clearance for extra room during snowy winters in Elora!

We really appreciated that the Subaru Solterra was very spacious and fit all of our overnight gear for our Elora trip, with lots of space to spare! In fact, it has a unique cargo feature: The deck board can be lowered to increase cargo volume from 784L to 820L, which helps to store tall objects. The Subaru Solterra is the perfect size for a growing family, those who travel with their pets, and those who love to have extra space for luggage & large outdoor gear! 

We were very impressed with the Solterra Luxury Package, which offered all the upgrades to make our road trip that much more comfortable. Some of our favourites included: 

• Wireless device charger 
• 12.3″ touchscreen infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which was great for GPS to our different Elora stops 
• Heated seats and steering wheel 
• Harman Kardon speakers 

The Subaru Solterra is the EV of SUV’s!

To get around downtown Elora, walk or bike to cut back on CO2 emissions. The town is small enough to explore by foot, and there are plenty of bike racks to lock your bikes up safely throughout downtown Elora.

Things to know before visiting Elora Quarry

Visiting the Elora Quarry takes a little bit of planning. You will need to buy tickets and parking passes before arriving, so plan ahead and book your tickets here. There is a hiking trail around the quarry and an on-site beach area which requires a short hike, so pack comfortable walking shoes and a backpack with your beach gear!

Since the Elora Quarry is a conservation area you should be mindful to leave no trace. There are waste bins on site, or better yet, pack a zero-waste lunch because there are no food vendors on-site.

Please note, security guards are located around the Elora Quarry to manage visitors since there are strict rules about not getting too close to the edge of the cliffs for safety reasons.

Things to do near Elora Quarry

Fieldstone Farm. Pick-your-own sunflowers and visit their alpacas (one of them is a rescue!). Fieldstone Farm is a great way to immerse yourself in nature, pick some sunflowers, and shop at a market that supports local artists and sells local farm products such as honey and fresh produce.

Elora Mill Spa. Located inside the Elora Mill hotel, the incredible Elora Mill Spa features a rooftop, year-round outdoor heated pool and hot tub. Enjoy a treatment at the spa, then grab a spot by the pool and enjoy a delicious drink while you relax and enjoy the fresh air. 

Elora Conservation Area. Hike around the conservation area, swim in the quarry or tube down the Elora Gorge. The conservation area is only open May 1 to October 15.

Go for a drive on the back roads for a picturesque drive through farm country. Check out the famous West Montrose Kissing Bridge, one of the last remaining covered bridges in Ontario.

Check out downtown Elora. Visit the quaint and charming town to shop or grab a bite to eat. There are so many cute boutiques and restaurants / cafes to check out. We loved checking out all of the eco-friendly products at Mrs. Greenway.

Where to eat near Elora Quarry

Lost and Found Cafe. Tucked inside the Elora Mews, Lost and Found is a locally-owned cafe with lots of vegetarian and vegan options. They make many of their menu items from scratch including the homemade tofu bacon, and many of their drink syrups!

Wreckless Eric. A relaxing and fun cafe where you can enjoy fresh bowls and burritos with homemade sauces and dressings. There are many gluten-free and vegetarian options on their menu. Wreckless Eric also serves the most delicious fair trade organic coffee.

Where to stay near Elora Quarry

Fieldstone Farm glamping experience. Stay in one of four glamping tents at Fieldstone Farm and enjoy an outdoor shower and hot tub, but still be walking distance to downtown Elora. Each glamping tent has a queen sized bed with a Sealy foam mattress, private covered deck, espresso machine, coffee and tea, bluetooth speaker, fan, hammock, picnic table and hot tub. Fieldstone Farm is committed to the environment, and have compostable toilets, zero waste natural toiletries for guests, and a waste-water system that recycles water and uses it to water the flower fields.

Elora Mill. Perched on top of the Elora Gorge, this stunning hotel has incredible views from many of its rooms as well as the spa. Located right in historic Elora, the cobblestone streets surrounding the hotel make you feel like you’re in Europe. Check out the on-site spa and dine at the incredible restaurant before exploring the town and Elora Quarry. Don’t forget to charge your EV at one of the on-site charging stations!

Elora, Ontario is becoming a popular tourist destination thanks to the many things to see and do in the area. The Elora Quarry is one of the most unique places to hike and swim, and since it’s not too far, it’s the perfect destination to road trip from Toronto to for a few days in nature! If you visit Elora, be sure to tag us on Instagram so we can follow along with your adventure.

The post Ultimate Elora Quarry Guide for Nature Lovers appeared first on Wellness Travelled.