Top Things to do in Hamilton
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Things to do in Hamilton, Canada: The Best Waterfalls
The next time you're driving to Toronto or Niagara Falls, stop in Hamilton, where tourist traffic isn't quite so rampant. The Niagara Escarpment provides spectacular scenery, with beautiful trails and waterfalls. Visit nearby farms, orchards and vineyards, or plan your trip to coincide with Hamilton's lively fall fairs.
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1. Hermitage Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
2. Buttermilk Falls
3. Devil's Punchbowl Conservation Area
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 258 reviews
The Devil’s Punchbowl is one of the Niagara Escarpment’s most amazing sights, created at the end of the last ice age by huge melt-water rivers that plunged over the Stoney Creek Escarpment, thus carving the Punchbowl and gorge. From the bottom of the falls, one can see the many different coloured rock layers of the Escarpment. The Punchbowl is the only area where one can view such a large vertical display of Ordovician and Silurian stratified rock. Some of the layers include Queenston Formation red shale, Cabot Head grey shale, limestone and shale dolomite. There is a spectacular view of Stoney Creek and Hamilton Harbour from the lookout, not to mention the view down into the seemingly bottomless gorge.
Reviewed By RestlessSoulFoodie
Devil’s Punchbowl Trail is a scenic albeit difficult, short, uphill trek. Good footwear and an aversion to heights is a must! Across the road, the Dofasco Trail, which extends for kilometres, is a more flat footed, easygoing, less challenging trail where one can enjoy the outdoor beauty of farmland. The Bruce Trail which borders the below the Punchbowl is also a option. While in the area be sure to take in a panoramic view of Stoney Creek at the Look Out. Overall a great outing outside the city!
4. Albion Falls
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 244 reviews
Reviewed By tokanier - Forest Lake, United States
Great viewing just a very short walk from where you park. They have 2 viewing platforms to view the falls. It looks like in the past you could get down lower but it has since been blocked off. Even so, it is still a good view and worth the stop if you are in the area.
5. Tews Falls
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 232 reviews
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the overwhelming popularity of Dundas Peak & Tew Falls and Webster Falls, HCA has instituted online reservable parking in 2-hour time slots. From Sept. 19 – Nov. 15, 2020, all visitors, including HCA passholders, will be required to make a reservation prior to their visit. This change to a mandatory reservation will manage visitor numbers and will assist with physical distancing and provide a safe and enjoyable visit. It will also allow visitors to travel with the peace of mind, knowing that their parking space is held for them. No access will be permitted into the area until September 19. Reservations may be be made up to a week prior to your visit. Reservations are made for 2-hour blocks, starting at 9 AM, 12 PM and 3 PM. Arrival times will be staggered in 15 minute intervals. This system will be in place seven days a week, both weekdays and weekends, until November 15, 2020.
Reviewed By silverbrook - London, Canada
Tew's Falls is a ribbon waterfall in the Hamilton area that is 41 metres in height, making it the tallest waterfall in Hamilton and shorter than Niagara Falls by 11 metres. It is located in the Spencer Gorge Conservation Area, which is part of the Hamilton Conservation Authority. On weekends from Easter to Halloween, to see these falls, you must take the waterfalls shuttle from a parking area at Christie Lake. The cost for this is $10 for parking and $5 per person. The shuttles run every 15-30 min or so and drop you off a short walk from one of the observation platforms. There are two main observation platforms that allow you to see the entire waterfall and take some great photos. Because of the beauty of the area, it can be quite busy and we saw a bridal party having a photo shoot on one of the platforms during our visit. The path from the shuttle stop to the first observation platform is an easy hike and approximately 150 meters away. The next platform is not too much farther up the trail and also has some great views of the falls. You can follow the trail on a moderate half hour hike all the way to Dundas Peak for some amazing view of Hamilton and Dundas and surrounding area. In the off season and through the week, you can find parking a little closer to the falls themselves and not have to take the shuttle from Christie Lake. Autumn is a beautiful time to visit for those who enjoy the fall colours, but these falls would be lovely any time of year.
6. Borer's Falls Conservation Area
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By cynthiaB983 - Hamilton, Canada
Breath taking scenery and a lovely walk on the grounds.. A special place for making memories, locals go there often and visitors who come for the first time are astounded by the natural beauty this part of Dundas has to offer.
7. Felker's Falls Conservation Area
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By DarlaG74
We came to the falls off a trail and followed the river up to it. It's a trail you need to watch your footing so totally missed the sign saying don't go there! Got to the falls and 2 conservation officers came to greet us and said we can't be down there, because someone got hurt and the paramedic also was hurt so they gave us a $75 fine each. It is too bad because it is such a great place to hike and enjoy. I haven't see the falls from the top but will do that this spring or summer.
8. Billy Green Falls
9. Chedoke Falls
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By 526renaem
Ok! This trek is beautiful! We only got to the lower falls but! This is what you need to know , that we didn’t! Will save you a lot of hassle! Parking! - go down scenic drive, past where your GPS wants you to go! Just keep going, you will get to a four way and a park, park there! Staircase! - big metal staircase to the bottom, leads to a golf course, hang a right. Unmarked trail! - second unmarked narrow trails, not the one with the staircase! The one with the staircase will lead you back to the parking lot! Rugged! - follow that trail a few meters past the big metal thing, Then you have to go down to the creek! Wet shoes! - it’s half the fun! But hole those rocks right up to the lower falls! It’s beautful and we swam and hung out all day with our dogs. We didn’t go to the upper falls, we did follow a Trail straight up and ended up jumping a fence, so don’t make that mistake! While you are there check out Sherman falls!
10. Great Falls
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By edwin_f
It is free. There are less than 20 parking spots and not enough space to park alongside the road. Although the falls is small but it drops in several levels before reaching the bottom. The beautiful hiking trail in the valley goes up and down along a small river with multiple rapids. Two sides are covered by tall trees. Difficulty level is at least moderate.
