Dundas Valley Heritage Trail to Bruce Trail
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HAMILTON HALTON BRANT 2-DAY WATERFALL ITINERARY NIAGARA ESCARPMENT’S DUNDAS Sherman Falls VALLEY Hamilton 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 DUNDAS VALLEY Unique To The Heart Of Ontario • Recognized as the most significant natural area in Hamilton, the Dundas Valley is a 1200-hectare scenic spectacle of conservation. An inviting hike through playful meadows, along cold-water streams, and scenic trails that are part of the Bruce Trail, Canada’s longest footpath. • Experience noteworthy waterfalls along the paths and trails of Dundas Valley and Ancaster. Visit Tiffany Falls, Sherman Falls, Canterbury Falls, Little Canterbury Falls, Mill Falls, Lower Mill Falls, and Hermitage Falls, and enjoy the beauty of each unique waterfall experience. • Discover the 40-km trails in Dundas Valley, the Carolinian Forest which accounts for one-third of Canada’s endangered species, and one that is not found anywhere else in Canada. Known for its flora and fauna, discover wildflowers, migrant and nesting birds. • Hike the Niagara Escarpment’s ancient rock formations and rich natural environment. A designated World Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 450-years in the making! • Learn about the remarkable 10,000-year glacier valley that spreads out into Lake Ontario, and hike the landscape that emerged and was shaped by glacial melt water. • Gain perspective of the area’s historical significance, among which is the story of the local mills of the late 1700s, at Sherman Falls, and Ancaster Mill. • Experience local heritage at unique historical sites: The Hermitage, Hermitage Gatehouse, Fieldcote Memorial Park and Museum, and Griffin House, National Historic Site. Each telling the unique stories of local forbearers and ancestors, as they illuminate a historical footprint of the wealthy elites from overseas, or brave escapes to freedom by families of slaves. 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 Ancaster and Dundas, 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 from historic Ancaster to two iconic, and visitor-sought picture perfect waterfalls, Tiffany Falls and Sherman Falls. The hike leads you to other significant waterfall views of Canterbury Falls and Mill Falls. Hike the Bruce Trail and the trails of Dundas Valley, and stop by the nearby charming boutiques and eateries along Wilson Street East. DAY TWO takes you on an in-depth trek through Dundas Valley Conservation Area and on the Main Trail. It meanders along a wooded path of hills and valleys throughout the conservation area. Visit the Visitor Centre, and see history at several heritage sites that are situated along the route. You will return to Wilson Street East and Downtown Ancaster’s historical district, where you will discover a great selection of eateries, cafes, and restuarants. 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: HISTORIC 11.4 km TIME REQUIRED: ANCASTER VILLAGE, 2.4 – 3.5 hours DIFFICULTY: DUNDAS VALLEY Moderate to Avid SEASONS: CONSERVATION AREA Spring, Summer, Fall WILSON STREET EAST TO OLD DUNDAS ROAD Distance/Timing: 190 m. / 4 - 6 min. Terrain: Sidewalk Start your hike from the suggested parking locations. From the Wilson Street E. (Ancaster Village), head north and walk along Wilson Street East toward Old Dundas Road/Rousseaux Street. Keep on the sidewalk, until you turn left onto Old Dundas Road. Along Old Dundas Road, on your left, is the site for the Ancaster Mill Parking Lot. Patrons of this restaurant will obtain permission to park in the lot for your day’s hike. Historical Notable Ancaster is third oldest community in Ontario, only after Niagara-on-the-Lake and Kingston. The Ancaster Creek was the site that provided accessible water power. In the decades to come, this village became Upper Canada’s largest industrial and commercial location. Wilson Street was named for James Wilson, founder of the first gristmill and sawmill in the area. Mr. Wilson later sold a portion of his shares of the gristmill and sawmill business to Montreal- born fur trader, Jean Rousseaux, whom had a general store business in Ancaster. This general store served an on-going trading with Joseph Brant’s Mohawks and other Iroquois people form the Six Nations confederacy and the Grand River. HAMILTON HALTON BRANT 2-DAY WATERFALL ITINERARY 5 OLD DUNDAS ROAD TO THE HERITAGE TRAIL Distance/Timing: 49 m. / 1 - 3 min. Terrain: Road Pavement Continuing on Old Dundas Road, walk down the hill to Dundas Valley Heritage Trail. Trailhead to the Heritage Trail is located at the parking lot (Ancaster Mill Restaurant is directly opposite the parking lot). Ancaster Mill is the former site of the gristmill and sawmill, once owned by James Wilson, in the late 1700s, and has been the centre of more than 200-years of local history. Mill Falls graces this site, providing a beautiful backdrop for diners with a perfect window view of a classical 7-metre of rushing flow. DUNDAS VALLEY HERITAGE TRAIL TO BRUCE TRAIL (EN ROUTE TO CANTERBURY FALLS) Dundas Valley Heritage Trail and Bruce Trail Intersection Coordinates: 43.236474, 79.987886 Distance/Timing: 1.2 km / 20 - 25 min. Terrain: Groomed Trail, Packed Earth From the trailhead of the Dundas Valley Heritage Trail, hike this groomed trail, which winds along this deciduous forest. Along the Heritage Trail, you are walking the foot bed of the Niagara Escarpment. Surrounded by lush mixed forests, this trail dates back where early settlers used this route as an alternate transportation route, especially in spring, when muddy conditions made Sulphur Springs Road impassable. As a network of trails, history suggests the Heritage Trail was a well utilized route for nomadic aboriginals. Along this route, the trail intersects with the Bruce Trail. On your right, there is a directional sign for Canterbury Falls, and trail access Canterbury Falls. Hikers should note that as a point of reference, if you were to continue straight the Heritage Trail will eventually link to Dundas Valley CA Main Loop. BRUCE TRAIL TO CANTERBURY FALLS Canterbury Falls Coordinates: 43.23319, -79.979782 Distance/Timing: 850 m. / 10 - 15 min. Terrain: Groomed Trail, Packed Earth (Hiking Only) Hike this section of the Bruce Trail until you reach Canterbury Falls and Little Canterbury Falls. Discover lush tree canopy as you make your way to a lovely 9-metre terraced ribbon cascade, which both falls were created from Sulphur Creek Tributary. Little Canterbury Falls is a 5-metre talus ribbon cascade, and both are flowing year-round from Canterbury Creek. Seen from the left side of the Bruce Trail, the waterfall flows under a wooden bridge.