10 Best Hamilton Waterfalls
Explore Hamilton’s Most Beautiful Cascades
The best Hamilton waterfalls range from gigantic cliff cascades to gently falling waters surrounded by thick forest. More than 100 waterfalls are waiting to be discovered by nature-loving visitors in the ‘waterfall capital of the world’. The city and its leafy surrounds lie on the Niagara Escarpment. It’s recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its unique geological formations and abundant flora and fauna.
A series of established hiking trails and conservation areas make it easy to access many of the waterfalls in Hamilton, although visitors willing to get off the beaten track will find crowd-free cascades tucked away along unmarked trails. Whether you want to hike, cycle or just snap photos, Hamilton is awash with opportunities.
1. Webster’s Falls
Hamilton’s most celebrated waterfall
Ideal para: , Econômico, Foto,
In a city that’s famously home to over 100 waterfalls, Webster’s Falls is one of the most enduringly popular with visitors. Surrounded by the lush greenery of the Spencer Gorge Conservation Area and accessed by clearly marked hiking trails, the 22-metre cascade makes for a terrific photo opportunity and is at its beautiful best when the surrounding vegetation takes on the golden colours of autumn.
Weekend adventurers flock here during summer weekends, but visitors can find plenty of peace and quiet on the trails during the working week. Parking, toilets and other facilities are located just a short walk from the falls, making this a popular option with day-tripping families.
Webster's Falls
2. Albion Falls
Dramatic cascade surrounded by wild nature
Ideal para: , Casais, Foto, Econômico
Almost as wide as they are tall, the photo-worthy Albion Falls are notable for the stepped formation that sees waters tumbling over the natural ledges of the Niagara Escarpment. Their location, King’s Forest Park, is a popular spot for picnics and is crisscrossed with hiking and cycling paths.
Standing at 19 metres high, the falls are one of the biggest tourist draws in Hamilton, and visitors looking for a crowd-free experience would be wise to visit early in the morning or outside the busy seasons of high summer and autumn. Pleasant cycling and walking trails from downtown Hamilton make this an easy half-day excursion, and there’s plenty of opportunity to refuel at welcoming cafes and coffee shops nearby.
Localização: 885 Mountain Brow Blvd, Hamilton, ON L8W 1R6, Canada
Albion Falls
3. Tiffany Falls
A jewel in the crown of Hamilton’s natural landscape
Ideal para: , Famílias, Econômico, Foto
Visitors looking for a dramatically beautiful fall that’s easily accessible to all ages and fitness levels should make a beeline for Tiffany Falls. This natural beauty lies within the Tiffany Falls Conservation Area, and a well-maintained trail winds through a maple-filled forest from the parking area just 10 minutes away.
The waters here plunge 21 metres over a cliff edge, providing plenty of inspiration for photographers, and are at their most dramatic in spring, when they swell with snowmelt from the mountains. For an altogether different experience, visit during the winter when sub-zero temperatures cause the waters to freeze mid-flow and daredevils can try their hand at ice climbing.
Tiffany Falls
4. Devil’s Punchbowl
Devilishly beautiful geological formation
Ideal para: , Foto, Econômico, Viagens alternativas
The intriguingly named Devil’s Punchbowl is one of the most iconic images of Hamilton. It has 2 separate waterfalls tumbling through a multi-coloured gorge that provides an intriguing glimpse at over a million years of geological history.
This bowl-shaped depression in the leafy landscape is an attraction in itself and ensures a steady flow of visitors even on days when low rainfall means the falls themselves slow to a trickle. Observation platforms provide panoramic views and the perfect backdrop for stunning holiday photos. Embark on a hike on a segment of the Dofasco 2000 Trail which winds for 18.5 km through Stoney Creek and out to boardwalk trails over the vast Vinemount South Swamp.
Localização: Ridge Rd, Stoney Creek, ON L8J 2X4, Canada
Abre: Daily 9 am to 6 pm
Devil's Punchbowl
5. Sherman Falls
Beautiful curtain waterfall with year-round flow
Ideal para: , Foto, Econômico, Casais
Often referred to locally as ‘Angel Falls’ or ‘Fairy Falls’, the curtain waterfall of Sherman Falls in the suburb of Ancaster tumbles for 17 metres from a fast-flowing creek. The romantic spot is a year-round attraction, as it enjoys a steady flow of water even during periods of low rainfall.
The waterfall is a hotspot for hikers thanks to being on the popular Bruce Trail, and visitors can tick off several falls in 1 day by following the forest trails to nearby Tiffany Falls and Canterbury Falls. Walkways through the Dundas Valley lead through 40 km of meadows, streams and forests. For a gentler excursion, there is parking available just a few minutes’ walk from Sherman Falls.
Sherman Falls
6. Smokey Hollow Falls
Ribbon waterfall in a spectacular setting
Ideal para: , Econômico, Foto,
At 10 metres high, Smokey Hollow Falls isn’t the biggest waterfall in Hamilton, but it’s among the most intriguing. Somewhat confusingly known as Grindstone Falls, Great Falls or Waterdown Falls, the ribbon waterfall once powered a nearby sawmill and has played a key role in the history of the area.
Visitors today can stop off here as part of the 3.5-kilometre Great Falls Loop, following steep steps into a forest-swathed ravine and to the upper reaches of the Niagara Escarpment on a hike that will put your physical fitness to the test.
Localização: 80 Mill St S, Waterdown, ON L0R 1R0, Canada
Smokey Hollow Falls
7. Hermitage Cascade
Under-the-radar falls in a scenic setting
Ideal para: , Econômico, Foto, , Aventura
Nature lovers, history buffs and hikers will be in their element during a visit to Hermitage Cascades and the surrounding countryside. Fed by waters from Sulphur Creek, the falls tumble for just 4 metres, but their location next to a restored historical ruin in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area means they are well worth a visit.
With a parking lot just a couple of minutes’ stroll from the falls, it’s an easy trip to Hermitage Cascades and the neighbouring Hermitage Gatehouse. If you’d like to be spooked, check listings for details of nocturnal ghost walks at the former ruins, or embark on hilly walks or cycle rides through the Dundas Valley.
Hermitage Cascade
8. Felker’s Falls
Ribbon waterfall surrounded by hiking trails
Ideal para: , Foto, , Viagens alternativas, Aventura
Located in the Felker’s Falls Conservation area in leafy Stoney Creek, these somewhat hidden falls are well worth seeking out. An accessible trail leads to a viewing platform, from which visitors can admire the 22-metre ribbon waterfall as it flows over the Niagara Escarpment and into a gorge filled with interesting rock formations.
The falls themselves merit a visit, but keen waterfall hunters should be sure to embark on the East Mountain Trail Route. It’s a hike of around 1 hour that takes in nearby beauty spots like Glendale Falls, Buttermilk Falls and the famous Albion Falls.
Localização: Ackland St, Stoney Creek, ON L8J 1R3, Canada
Felker's Falls
9. Vinemount East Falls
Low-key location surrounded by wild nature
Ideal para: , Econômico, Foto, , Aventura
Tucked away in a little-explored section of forest in Stoney Creek, Vinemount East Falls is best visited during spring snowmelt season or after a period of heavy rainfall. Bring sturdy shoes and a sense of adventure to discover the 23-metre ribbon waterfall which lies along a largely unmarked trail.
The cascade is in the Vinemount Conservation Area, and visitors looking for a crowd-free experience are likely to find it here. If in doubt, ask about local guided walks that can lead you to this natural beauty spot without fear of getting lost or straying too far off the nearby Bruce Trail.
Localização: Stoney Creek, ON L8E 5J4, Canada
Vinemount East Falls
10. Promontory Falls
Photo-worthy waterfall accessed by rough trails
Ideal para: , Foto, Aventura, Viagens alternativas
Beloved of nature lovers and adventurous hikers, scenic Promontory Falls flies under the radar of many visitors to Hamilton. While crowds flock to famous beauty spots like Webster’s Falls and Tiffany Falls, Promontory Falls remains untroubled by mass tourism despite the spectacle of its 18-metre drop over the terraced Niagara Escarpment rock face.
Unmarked trails lead here from the south side of the popular Bruce Trail, around 20 minutes’ walk from Fifty Road, close to Pond Falls and Grand Cascade. Bring plenty of food and drink and prepare to snap some spectacular photos.
Promontory Falls
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