Hamilton 
Some of Southern Ontario’s most incredible waterfall views are found a short drive from downtown Hamilton. While yes, there are some insane waterfall views to the east of Hamilton on the Niagara River, there are quieter areas to explore much closer to the city.
For those not from Hamilton, the Spencer Gorge Conservation Area is a must-stop on your way in or out of Hamilton. The area has some of Ontario’s best waterfall views, along with a showcase of the Niagara Escarpment’s most beautiful natural features.
This area is open for hikers to enjoy all year-round, as well as for winter snowshoeing. And beyond the Spencer Gorge’s incredibly natural and geological history worth exploring in the park, the area is also filled with great local historical artifacts to uncover on your hike.
The area is extremely popular during the fall season.
Unique Features of the Spencer Gorge Conservation Area
The Niagara Escarpment runs for a total of over 900km! Much of this geological formation makes up southwestern Ontario, too. And while it does cover much of the province, there are places around Ontario considered to be the best places to experience the cliffs, forests, valleys, and water features.
The Spencer Gorge Conservation Area is one such place with some of the Escarpment’s most scenic waterfalls, valley views, and cliffside lookouts. And while this all sounds like something you might need to travel into rural Ontario for, or far from the city for, the Gorge is only 16km from the Hamilton city centre, and under 100km from metro Toronto.
- There are three main sections which make up the Conservation Area: Tew Falls, Dundas Peak, and Webster Falls.
- Tew Falls is made from the waters of Logie’s Creek and flows over a 41m-high cliff created by the Niagara Escarpment (only about 9m less than Niagara’s Horseshoe Falls!).
- Webster Falls also flows over the cliffs of the Escarpment at 22m-tall but is created from a separate Spencer Creek.
- Dundas Peak, to the south of both waterfalls, is the Conservation Area’s main lookout and viewing area with some of the best views of the Niagara Escarpment’s many natural features in all of Ontario.
Hiking the Spencer Gorge
Keep in mind that any time spent at the Spencer Gorge Conservation Area must come with a reservation. These reservations are available in two-hour time slots, giving you plenty of time to reach all of the park’s wonderful views and natural features. These reservations are open until November 11th, 2024, for the remainder of the fall season.
- The Tew Falls Lookout Trail is one of the shorter in the park, especially if not combined with the Dundas Peak trail. Near the waterfall are two main lookout areas with the upper viewing area accessible via the staircase. From these viewing areas, hikers have the option to reach Dundas Peak.
- It is a 1.8km loop to get to Dundas Peak and back to the Tew Falls parking lot. Along the way is a lookout area over the gorge before you reach the main Dundas Peak lookout area. The trail is meant to move in one direction, meaning all hikers must go the same way around the loop.
- The Webster Falls trail is accessible from Fallsview Road which connects to the Harvest Road. The looping trail past the falls and back is about 1.5km two lookout areas over the waterfall, and a few bits of interesting local history. Along the trail, you’ll pass over a historic 1936 cobblestone bridge, and past the preserved Webster family cemetery.
Winters at Spencer Gorge
The Spencer Gorge Conservation Area is open year-round for hikers and snowshoers to enjoy the trails during the snowier months. After mid-November, reservations are no longer required for the Spencer Gorge Conservation Area, and winter hikers or snowshoers can visit anytime for any length of time during open hours.
Planning Your Trip – Spencer Gorge Conservation Area
What: a deep and forested gorge created by the Niagara Escarpment, Spencer Creek, and Logie’s Creek. At the top heights of the Conservation Area is Dundas Peak and Lookout Area with notable treetop views.
Location and how to get there:
The area has two separate parking lots.
- Dundas Peak & Tew Falls – 590 Harvest Road, Dundas
- For Tew Falls and Dundas Peak trailhead, use Harvest Road to access parking.
- Webster Falls – 28 Fallsview Road, Dundas
- For the Webster Falls trailhead, use Fallsview Road to access the parking
Best time to go: Open year-round.
Cost: Per vehicle and driver: $16.50
Per passenger over 5 years of age: $5.50
Walk/bike in: $5.50
Reservations may be required during the Fall season.
For more information:
Spencer Gorge Conservation Area
