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The Beaver Valley has had a
few aliases; one being The
Queen’s Valley, and of
course the humorous name of
Cuckoo Valley. The
moniker of Queen’s Valley
may have erroneously derived
from the Queen’s Bush, which
was a tract of land lying
beyond the western
boundaries of the Artemesia,
Euphrasia & St. Vincent
townships. The Cuckoo
Valley name has a few
possible origins. One
reference suggests that it
is mistakenly attributed to
the North American Indians
of the area. A second
notion for the Cuckoo Valley
title is based upon the
Fool’s Gold Rush of the
1850’s. The third, and
most likely root, is
attributed to ornithologists
(people who study birds) who
recognized the Black-Billed
Cuckoo bird that frequents
this beautiful region.
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Bird watching is still a popular hobby for many people, as the
valley is home to over 100 species of migratory and nesting birds.
Bird
watching, cycling, hiking, paddling, and
skiing/snowboarding are some of the main
recreational activities that the Beaver Valley is
known for. A 113 km section of the Bruce Trail
referred to as the Beaver Valley Section, starts in
Blantyre and ends in Craigleith.
 Offering
captivating views of the Niagara Escarpment, this trail brings you
through such places as Old Baldy, local falling water, and other
beautiful lookouts. The Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club has a Day
Hike Map Kit for purchase, which offers 35 different hikes with
maps, local botanists guide to wildflowers, as well as information
and tips for hiking the area. The kit cost a mere $12 and may
be bought from local vendors, as well as through the mail and
online. 
No matter
how you refer to it, this valley has incredible
richness in all of its corners. Artists flourish in
this area, creating beautiful masterpieces that area
residents, as well as, tourists can appreciate and
purchase. Types of art include glasswork, woodwork,
textile handiwork, paintings done in oil and
acrylic, glass beading, and a wide spectrum of
photography.
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