Your summer guide to visiting Hamilton’s waterfalls
As Hamilton transitions back to pre-COVID times, the city's waterfalls are likely to become hot tourist attractions yet again.
But visiting these scenic spots is not necessarily straightforward.
For instance, a visit to Tew's or Webster's Falls will cost you upwards of $25 and requires a reservation made at least a day in advance. Oh, and you're only allowed to stay for two hours.
For residents and visitors alike, we've put together a primer on what you need to know about visiting Hamilton's most popular waterfalls. (And remember, COVID rules - as well as general safety measures - still apply. Practise physical distancing, avoid gathering in large groups, stay on marked paths and abide by signage.)
Tew's Falls
Location: Dundas, part of the Spencer Gorge Conservation Area
Who oversees it: Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA)
Description: The Tew's Falls gorge is 41 metres high. There are two platforms just off the Bruce Trail from which you can view the falls.
The fine print: As of May 1, 2021, anyone looking to visit Tew's Falls/Dundas Peak is required to make an online reservation through hcareservations.ca, by emailing reserve@conservationhamilton.ca or by calling 1-855-227-5267. The system is in effect until November 2021. Reservations are available in two-hour blocks and cost $10 for parking, $10.50 for an online reservation and $5 per person. Admission is free for HCA pass holders but they must still pay a $10 reservation fee. No same-day reservations are allowed. A maximum of six people are allowed to be included in each reservation/vehicle. A reservation gives you entry access to other HCA conservation areas on the same day.
Parking: The parking lot is located at 581 Harvest Rd., Dundas. Warning: if you overstay your scheduled reservation, you could be fined or your vehicle could be towed.
More information: You should wear good walking or hiking shoes as the trails are on rugged terrain. Most trails are not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. No picnics are allowed. Dogs must remain on-leash at all times. There is no access to the bottom of the falls.
Hamilton tourism: tourismhamilton.com/tew-falls
HCA: conservationhamilton.ca/spencer-reservations and conservationhamilton.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Dundas-Peak-and-Tew-Falls.pdf
Webster's Falls
Location: Dundas, part of the Spencer Gorge Conservation Area
Who oversees it: HCA
Description: A 22-metre classical curtain waterfall," as HCA calls it. There are two lookouts at the falls.
The fine print: Visitors are required to make reservations in advance. The system is the same as Tew's Falls (see above). There is no access to the bottom of the falls. A separate reservation is required to visit Tew's Falls, despite it being close by. No trail link exists between Webster's and Tew's.
Parking: The parking lot for Webster's Falls is located at Greensville Optimist Park, just off Brock Road.
More information: Webster's Falls offers a wheelchair-accessible lookout and paved trail area.
Hamilton tourism: tourismhamilton.com/webster-falls-guide
HCA: conservationhamilton.ca/spencer-reservations and conservationhamilton.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Webster-Falls.pdf
Albion Falls
Location: East Hamilton, Upper King's Forest Park area
Who oversees it: The City of Hamilton
Description: The waterfall is 18 metres wide and 19 metres tall. There are two viewing platforms. The water comes from the Red Hill Creek and tumbles over rock that's been formed over time into steps and shelves, fanning outwards into a beautiful cascade of rushing water," says the city.
The fine print: The city advises people to visit during off-peak times - early morning or weekdays - due to popularity of Albion Falls, as well as other falls in the city. There is no access to the bottom of the falls.
Parking: Park in the lot at Mountain Brow Boulevard parking lot, located at 750 Mountain Brow Blvd., or in the nearby lot at Arbour Road off Mud Street. From the Arbour Road lot, there is a path to a wheelchair accessible view. Parking is free. Parking on roadways is discouraged.
Hamilton tourism: tourismhamilton.com/albion-falls
Smokey Hollow Waterfall
Location: Waterdown
Who oversees it: City of Hamilton
Description: This fast-flowing waterfall is just 10 metres tall and is best visible from a nearby viewing platform. The city describes it as a beautiful ribbon waterfall" in a leafy forest. The water flows from Grindstone Creek.
Fun fact: The falls were once used to power a local sawmill.
Parking: There is a parking lot just off Mill Street, near Highway 5.
Hamilton tourism: tourismhamilton.com/smokey-hollow
Borer's Falls
Location: Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) area
Who oversees it: Both RBG and HCA, through a land-ownership agreement. RBG provides a parking area up to Rock Chapel Road and HCA owns the land below. The city also oversees parking at the nearby off-leash dog park.
Description: These ribbon falls are 15 metres high.
Parking: The city says there is parking off York Road at the Borer's Falls Dog Park. Take the Ray Lowes Side Trail up the main Bruce Trail - follow signs for Borer's and Rock Chapel Sanctuary. Alternatively, take Rock Chapel Road from Highway 5 and park in the lot at the top. Parking is metered.
Fun fact: The falls once powered a local sawmill.
Hamilton tourism: tourismhamilton.com/borers-falls
Hermitage Cascade
Location: Dundas Valley Conservation Area, beside Hermitage Gatehouse
Who oversees it: HCA
Description: The cascade waterfall is just four metres high. The city describes it as a gentle flow from Sulphur Creek tumbling over the rocks."
Parking: The Hermitage parking lot is located on Sulphur Springs Road. From there, the waterfall is about a two-minute walk. Parking cost is $11 a day or free with an HCA membership.
Hamilton tourism: tourismhamilton.com/hermitage-cascade
HCA: conservationhamilton.ca/conservation-areas/dundas-valley
Sherman Falls
Location: Ancaster, on private property
Who oversees it: Private property
Description: This is a 17-metre high curtain waterfall that flows from Ancaster Creek.
Fun fact: Two nicknames for the falls are Fairy Falls and Angel Falls.
Parking: The city says limited parking is available on a lot off of Artaban Road for $11 a day. It's located a 450-metre walk from Sherman Falls. To walk to the falls from the parking lot, head back down Artaban Road, turn left on Lions Club Road and just before Old Dundas Road, then turn right on the Bruce Trail. Parking is also available at nearby Tiffany Falls and from there, you can hike along the Bruce Trail from the lot on Wilson Street East - about a 20-minute walk.
Hamilton tourism: tourismhamilton.com/sherman-falls
Tiffany Falls
Location: Ancaster, Tiffany Falls Conservation Area
Who oversees it: HCA
Description: Tiffany Falls is a 21-metre high cascade waterfall.
Fun fact: You can ice climb at this location in the winter.
Parking: Parking is $11 per day or free with HCA membership. The lot is located at off Wilson Street East. The walk to the falls takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
Hamilton tourism: tourismhamilton.com/tiffany-falls
HCA: conservationhamilton.ca/conservation-areas/tiffany-falls
Felker's Falls
Location: Stoney Creek, Felker's Falls Conservation Area
Who oversees it: HCA has ownership and maintains trails but the City of Hamilton maintains the parking lot and some surrounding green space.
Description: A 22-metre high ribbon waterfall.
Parking: From Highway 403, take the Lincoln Alexander Parkway exiting east to Hamilton. Take the Mud Street exit. Turn left at the first light onto Paramount Drive. Turn right on Ackland Street and you will find the conservation area parking lot on the right side.
City of Hamilton: waterfalls.hamilton.ca/default.asp?walk=7
Devil's Punchbowl
Location: Stoney Creek
Who oversees it: HCA
Description: There are two separate waterfalls at Devil's Punchbowl Conservation Area: Upper Falls, which is a 34-metre ribbon waterfall and Lower Falls, a six-metre classical waterfall. The main viewing platform is located a short walk from the parking lot and three smaller lookouts are located along the rim of the gorge. Access to the bottom of the waterfall is prohibited.
Parking: The conservation area parking lot is located off Ridge Road. The distance to the falls viewing platform is about a two-minute walk. Parking is $7.50 per day or free for HCA members. Those without HCA membership can use the parking ticket to access other HCA lots on the same day.
Fun fact: The Toronto skyline is visible from the observation platform on a clear day.
Hamilton tourism: https://tourismhamilton.com/devils-punchbowl
HCA: conservationhamilton.ca/conservation-areas/devils-punchbowl
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