HAMILTON HALTON BRANT 2-DAY WATERFALL ITINERARY NIAGARA ESCARPMENT’S URBAN Felker’s Falls PASSAGE Stoney Creek Take a journey with mile-high views and celebrated trails. Explore history as it unfolds and hike to iconic waterfalls. DISCOVER MORE AT theheartofontario.com August 2018 NIAGARA ESCARPMENT’S URBAN PASSAGE Unique To The Heart Of Ontario • Experience majestic panoramic views from scenic sections of a 750-kilometre ridge of fossil-filled rock. The Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, is nearly 450 million years in the making. • Visit an array of beautiful waterfalls and cascades, situated in unique natural settings along the escarpment. • Journey the must-see sights, access to Canada’s longest footpath, the Bruce Trail, and a discover of historic roots of Hamilton. Flora and fauna abound, makes for a tranquil nature-filled journey along beautiful vistas and Carolinian forests. • Escape to the city’s oasis that leads you along the escarpment’s vertical wall of limestone, sandstone and shale stands 100-metres tall. Hike the Chedoke Radial Trail and Bruce Trail, through the centre of Hamilton. • See the must-visit Albion Falls and discover the former site of Albion Mills, a saw and grist mill, and the Village of Mount Albion. • Explore Felker’s Falls, and like many old escarpment river channels, has an upper and lower gorge. The upper gorge eroded to rapids while the lower gorge developed a waterfall due to its composition of a layer of hard limestone over softer rock. • Visit Conservation Hamilton’s Eramosa Karst. Learn just why experts have designated this karst to have the largest number of unique karst features in any single area in the province. • Make a plan to stay, there’s plenty to see and do in Downtown Hamilton and Upper Hamilton. WATERFALL CHARACTERISTICS LEGEND RIBBON: Greater height than its crest width, streams of flow form a thin ribbon. CASCADE: The vertical drop is broken into a series of steps causing water to “cascade” down the incline. CLASSICAL: The height and crest width are nearly equal. CURTAIN: Opposite of the ‘Ribbon’ waterfall, the height is smaller than its crest width. HAMILTON HALTON BRANT 2-DAY WATERFALL ITINERARY 2 WATERFALL ITINERARY TIPS & A HEADS UP Welcome to Waterfall Hiking in The Heart of Ontario! This 2-Day experience features the iconic waterfall sites in the centre of Hamilton, Ontario. Enjoy safely, while preserving our beautiful trails, natural areas, and the Niagara Escarpment’s landscapes. The routes are designed to offer you insight to the history and footprints of the past. DAY ONE’s itinerary offers a round-trip journey, guiding you on the Niagara Escarpment’s edge, through rustic groomed trails to Scenic Falls in the Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area. Just for fun, take the pedestrian bridge that leads you over Highway 403 and peers over the crest of the “mountain” and over to Ancaster. Hikers will trek along the towering escarpment rock walls of the city above, delivering you to a tranquil garden of trails and waterfalls. It’s a loop experience, if you want to challenge the stairs back to the upper section of Hamilton. Before you venture up, be sure to visit Hamilton’s diverse communities within the city. Foodies will love the selection of restaurants and cafes, in downtown districts, nearby the trails. DAY TWO will take you on a waterfall exploration to must-see Albion Falls and Felker’s Falls. Included, is a wonderful rushing waterfall discover to Upper Glendale Falls, which is uniquely found beside the old Mount Albion access. This is a wonderful day hiking among the buzz of community life, as these waterfall sites are perfectly tucked away in the middle of plenty of what Hamilton has to offer. To make it an easy day, plan to park nearby Albion Falls, and then at Felker’s Falls CA. An optional experience to Conservation Hamilton’s natural adventure, Eramosa Karst is a must, as it lends to the discover component of this itinerary. Note: Trails are subject to change as alternate routes may be required. This could be due to maintenance, and other unforeseen circumstances. Bruce Trail Conservancy updates trails on a regular basis. Please check www.brucetrail.org. HAMILTON HALTON BRANT 2-DAY WATERFALL ITINERARY 3 WATERFALL AND TRAIL ETIQUETTE We want you to enjoy your adventure! VIEW THE FALLS • Check out the falls from a viewing platform, this is the best place to see the falls and enjoy the view! • Stay away from the bottom of gorges, waterfalls or escarpment areas – there is a chance of falling rocks and you could slip and fall on wet or algae-covered rocks. • Stay away from slopes and edges of the escarpment – ground can become unstable in these areas and pose a fall hazard. • Whenever visiting water, always be mindful that some areas are prone to flash flooding — pay attention to weather conditions. • Stay at least one body-length back from the edge of gorges, waterfalls and escarpment areas. This is especially important for children and pets. • Some Waterfalls in Hamilton have polluted water, do not swim or wade in them. • Stay away from dangerous areas to take a photo your life is more important than a selfie or landscape shot. TRAIL SAFETY • Stick to the marked trails to access the waterfalls, creating your own trail is dangerous and is considered trespassing. • Respect posted signage, stay on trails and do not climb or bypass fencing. • Ensure you wear appropriate footwear and only visit the falls during the daylight hours. • Do not consume alcohol or take medication that may affect your balance while walking near the falls. • Enjoy the plants and wildlife near the waterfalls, do not litter or trample the delicate plants. Parents/ Guardians keep a very close watch on children and take the time to discuss safety concerns before and during your visit. BE PREPARED • Leave no trace – leave what you find and take out what you bring. If you are packing food to enjoy on your hike, please be sure to pack it up and take the garbage with you. • Weather, terrain, and various trail conditions can be challenging. Be prepared by packing drinking water, bug spray, sunscreen, light jacket, and even a first-aid kit. Minimize any risk by simply planning ahead. • Bring change for parking meters, where applicable. HAMILTON HALTON BRANT 2-DAY WATERFALL ITINERARY 4 DAY ONE DISTANCE: IROQUOIA HEIGHTS 12 km TIME REQUIRED: CONSERVATION AREA, 4.5 hours DIFFICULTY: CHEDOKE RADIAL Moderate to Avid SEASONS: TRAIL, BRUCE TRAIL Spring, Summer, Fall SCENIC DRIVE TO SCENIC FALLS Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area Trailhead Coordinates: 43.245416, -79.931763 Distance/Timing: 350 m / 5 - 10 min. Terrain: Packed Earth, Groomed Trail The trailhead to the Scenic Iroquoia Heights Trail links from the Chedoke Radial Trail parking lot, or if you have parked across the street, at the off-road lot, just cross the road, to access the trailhead, walk toward the escarpment and you will see the trailhead in view. Hike the trail veering left, opposite the Chedoke Radial Trail. There are two options, but take the Scenic Iroquoia Heights Trail (lower trail option), and it will weave along the escarpment’s edge. It’s a lovely hike, experiencing some panoramic views of Hamilton and discovering your bearings as you see the traffic up and down the “Mountain.” It’s an easy trail in a forested splendor set in an urban destination. The trail will intersect with the Iroquoia Heights Side Trail/Bruce Trail. Follow the Bruce Trail, merging right until you come to the Scenic Falls, on your right hand side. Scenic Falls flows from the Chedoke Creek Tributary and is a dynamic 20-metre ribbon, terraced cascade waterfall, and set in Hamilton Conservation Authority’s open space. This is the end of this portion trail, and to get to the Chedoke Radial Trail, you will retrace back to the bridge. HAMILTON HALTON BRANT 2-DAY WATERFALL ITINERARY 5 SCENIC FALLS TO PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE Scenic Waterfall Coordinates: 43.243972, -79.934657 Distance/Timing: 2 km / 45 - 55 min. Terrain: Packed Earth, Groomed Trail From Scenic Falls, continue along the Scenic Iroquoia Heights Walk/Bruce Trail. It winds and turns back through the conservation area, providing plenty of interest and views. There are spots that have an open-space or clearing, which is an interesting perspective to the preservation and wildlife of the conservation component. There are many side trails and if you happen to take one, you will eventually arrive to your destination. Plan to stay on the trail which grips the escarpment, it will easily intersect with the Bruce Trail. To access the Pedestrian Bridge, the Scenic Iroquoia Heights Trail will link to the Bruce Trail, and lead you to the bridge. TAKE THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER HIGHWAY ON-403 Pedestrian Bridge Coordinates: 43.235536, 79.948261 Distance/Timing: 240 m / 3 min. Terrain: Steel Bridge, Paved Pedestrian Road Just for fun, take a hike across the bridge. It towers over Hwy 403 and it worth the experience. The stairs on the opposite side of the bridge is approximately 38 metal steps. Once at the base of the stairs, hike the paved trail as it leads to Filman Road, Ancaster. As a point of reference, this location is nearby Mohawk Road/Rousseaux Road, which links to Downtown Ancaster. At the north end of Filman Road is the Bruce Trail, which leads you through forest lands and to Tiffany Falls, in Ancaster. HAMILTON HALTON BRANT 2-DAY WATERFALL ITINERARY 6 RETURN TO THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE TO PRINCESS FALLS Princess Falls Coordinates: 43.2458, -79.9299 Distance/Timing: 2 km / 25 – 35 min.