DIANE'S DRIVES
Riding the ridge line
Lofty views of Lake Ontario make this route worthwhile

The drive along Ridge Road in Hamilton is worth the climb because the views of Lake Ontario are spectacular. Admiring such beauty, however, could come at a price. The road is dangerous if you don't pay a lot of attention to the asphalt - unless becoming airborne is on your agenda.

Take the QEW toward Hamilton and exit at Centennial Parkway. You'll immediately start your climb up the mountain along a commercialized two-lane highway. It's fast and you can go 80 km/h.

When Centennial Parkway starts to bend to the right, turn left at Ridge Road 30.

Ridge Road takes you past apple trees, Italian-style mansions and Bruce Trail access points. Go about 40 km/h along here but be sure to stop at the Punch Bowl Market and Bakery for cherries, strawberries, apple pies, jams and other fruits, vegetables and drinks. This is the prime spot for sustenance along the route.

It's also worthwhile to walk across the street and take a look at the lake from here. This stop gives you a taste of things to come.

After the market, there's a sharp left bend in the road. Go 40 km/h here, since the view is distracting and it could be deadly if you're going too fast. Keep your eyes on the road or pull over frequently if you can't resist looking. A steel guardrail along the left side might keep you on the road, depending on what you're driving and how fast you're going.

A sharp right bend warns you to slow down. You'll pass by Devil's Punchbowl Conservation Area. There are washrooms here and a park with apple trees if you want to stop for a picnic. The views are impressive.

Turn right at the T-junction. This will keep you on Ridge Road. Keep following it until you pass serene-looking cornfields. You can increase your speed to about 70 km/h along here.

Italian-style mansions line the road and their Mediterranean terra cotta tile roofs, massive fountains, low brick walls, wrought iron gates and sculptures of lions are stately. There are vineyards on your right.

Eventually, vineyards pop up on your left side as well because the road moves away from the cliffs. Pockets of forests divide the vineyards and there are several signs to watch for deer. Don't be surprised if you hear or see vintage aircraft flying overhead. There's an airport nearby.

Stay with the yellow line even if the road forks to reach Grimsby. Turn left on Mountain Road 12. The sign appears right after the fork so you'll get confirmation that you are going the right way only after you've taken the risk.

Admire the huge pond on the left as well as Rock Chapel United Church, established in 1873. There are huge bulrushes and wide-open fields on your right. The road is a pleasant, straight run.

Consider stopping at Beamers Falls and Nature Trails. This is a conservation area with a cute narrow bridge that welcomes you, but a super dangerous, steep cliff just around the corner. It's sort of a passive-aggressive stop. It teases you to take a look on one side and then scares you because there isn't even a fence to protect you on the other.

At the end of the road, turn left at St. Mary's Church.

It's an extremely steep incline and within about 100 metres, immediately turn right to continue on Ridge Road East, even though it's not marked.

The homes along Ridge Road East are completely different than what you saw at the beginning of this drive. The ones here are mostly old Ontario and Victorian-style homes with front porches and board and batten exteriors.

Instead of vineyards, there are lush, thick forests and the homes are set deep into the woods. You expect to see Hansel and Gretel cross the road. It's a fairy tale stretch of road.

You soon encounter another two-way stop at a three-way junction. Fortunately, the stop signs in this area are so large you'd think you were a character in Alice in Wonderland.

When there's a break in the yellow line, bear left at the fork and you'll come to a stop sign. Turn left here where there's a sign of a truck going downhill and a flashing yellow light. To help you with your bearings, you are now going toward Lake Ontario.

The route ends at the bottom of the hill at Main St., Road 81 in Beamsville. Turn left and follow the signs for the QEW back to Toronto.

Diane Tierney is editor of Leisureways, Journey and Going Places, member publications for the Canadian Automobile Association.