Just 1.5 hours from Toronto, Elora Quarry is located in Elora, Ontario, a charming town known for its limestone architecture, riverside views, amazing restaurants, beautiful hikes, and more. It’s a nature lover’s paradise! We visited Elora this summer and found so many unique things to do, from hidden gems to popular attractions that deserve the hype! Elora Quarry is Tobermory Caves and Pinehurst Provincial Park In terms of uniqueness.
It’s important to be mindful of the environment when visiting these areas, and we love that Elora Quarry promotes Leave No Trace on their website and on site. In fact, many of the local businesses in Elora and the town itself have a lot of sustainability initiatives, which is important to us. We even drove our brand new 2024 Subaru Solterra EV to Elora, as the town has over 20 electric vehicle charging stations (more on that below!). Read on to learn all about Elora Quarry!
Things to Know Before Visiting Ellora Quarry
Visiting the Ellora Quarries requires a little planning. You will need to purchase your tickets and parking permit before you arrive, so plan ahead and Book your tickets hereThere is a hiking trail around the quarry and there is a beach area on site which requires a short hike, so bring comfortable walking shoes and a backpack with your beach gear!
As the Ellora Quarry is a protected area, you should be careful to leave no trace. There are bins on site, or better yet, you can bring your own zero-waste lunch as there are no food vendors on site.
Please note that there are security guards around the Ellora Quarry to manage visitors as there are strict rules against visitors getting too close to the cliff edge for safety reasons.
Visit Elora, Ontario
Driving is the best way to explore Ellora, and most visitors drive to the Ellora Quarries.
We test drove it All-new 2024 Subaru Solterra Two-tone Smoked Carbon Fiber Luxury Package. This was the perfect vehicle for our Elora road trip. First, because there are plenty of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations near Elora. While we didn’t need to charge the Solterra to get home, we still charged it at the end of the trip because of the long life of the EV battery. It was an easy, seamless, and quick process! We found a Level 2 charging station that was compatible with the Solterra charging cord. We also appreciated that the EV batteries in the Solterra still retain 90% of their battery life after 10 years, so the Solterra can keep you company on long road trips!
Elora also has many trails with soft terrain (from grass to gravel), so we love the all-new 2024 Subaru Solterra, which offers the same great rugged performance as the non-electric Subaru SUVs. It comes with Subaru’s famous full-time Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, giving you more peace of mind and enjoyment on country roads. Plus, it has 210mm of ground clearance, which provides extra room during Elora’s snowy winters!
We really appreciated that the new 2024 Subaru Solterra was spacious enough to accommodate all of our overnight gear for our trip to Elora, with plenty of room left over! In fact, it has a unique cargo feature: the deck can be lowered to increase cargo capacity from 784 to 820 liters, which helps store tall items. The Subaru Solterra is the perfect size for growing families, those traveling with pets, and those who like to have extra space for luggage and large outdoor gear!
We were really impressed with the Solterra Deluxe Package and all the upgrades it provided to make our road trips more comfortable. Our favorites included:
- Wireless Device Chargers
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay, perfect for navigating to our different Elora sites via GPS
- Heated seats and steering wheel
- Harman Kardon speakers
The new 2024 Subaru Solterra is the electric model among SUVs!
To get around the centre of Ellora, walk or cycle to reduce your CO2 emissions. The town is small enough to explore on foot and there are bike racks throughout the centre of Ellora for safe parking.
Things to do near Ellora Quarry
Fieldstone Farm. Pick your own sunflowers and visit their alpacas (one of which is a rescue!). Fieldstone Farm It’s a great way to immerse yourself in nature, pick sunflowers, and shop at markets that support local artists and sell local produce like honey and fresh produce.
Elora Mill Hot Springs. Located within the Elora Mill Hotel, the incredible Elora Mill Hot Springs It features a rooftop, year-round heated outdoor pool and hot tub. Enjoy a treatment at the spa, then grab a seat poolside to relax and enjoy a drink while breathing in the fresh air.
Ellora Conservation Area. Walking Tours Protected Areasswimming in the quarry or rafting along the Ellora Gorge. The reserve is open only from 1 May to 15 October.
Go for a drive Drive along picturesque farm roads. See the famous Westmontrose Kissing Bridgeone of the few remaining covered bridges in Ontario.
Check Ellora City Center. Visit this quaint and charming town for some shopping or a bite to eat. There are lots of cute boutiques and restaurants/cafes to visit. We loved staying in Mrs Greenway.
Restaurants near Ellora Quarry
Lost and Found Cafe. Located in Elora Mews, Lost and Found is a locally owned cafe that offers a number of vegetarian and vegan options. Many of their menu items are made to order including their homemade tofu bacon and many of their drink syrups!
Reckless Eric. This is a relaxed, fun cafe where you can enjoy freshly made bowls of burritos and tacos with homemade sauces and dressings. There are many gluten-free and vegetarian options on the menu. Eric the Reckless The most delicious fair trade organic coffee is also available.
Accommodation near Ellora Quarry
Fieldstone Farm Glamping Experience. Stay in one of Fieldstone Farm’s four glamping tents and enjoy an outdoor shower and hot tub, yet still be within walking distance of downtown Elora. Each glamping tent comes with a queen-size bed with a Sealy foam mattress, a private covered deck, an espresso machine, coffee and tea, a Bluetooth speaker, a fan, a hammock, a picnic table, and a hot tub. Fieldstone Farm is committed to the environment, offering compostable toilets, zero-waste natural toiletries, and a wastewater system that recycles water and uses it to irrigate the flower fields.
Ellora Mills. This charming hotel sits at the top of the Ellora Gorge, with stunning views from many of the rooms and spa. Located in historic Ellora, the cobbled streets around the hotel make you feel like you’re in Europe. Visit the on-site spa and dine at the amazing restaurant before exploring the town and the Ellora Quarries. Don’t forget to charge your electric car at the on-site charging station!
Elora, Ontario is becoming a popular tourist destination thanks to the numerous attractions and activities in the area. The Elora Quarry is one of the most unique places to hike and swim, and it’s not too far away, making it the perfect destination to enjoy a few days in nature just a short drive from Toronto! If you visit Elora, be sure to check out the Elora Quarry. Instagram That way we can follow your adventures.
