The Waterdown Trail to Smokey Hollow is a peaceful and beautiful little spot that connects to plenty of trails and is perhaps the closest waterfall to Toronto.
With spectacular views overlooking waterfalls, this is a majestic hike, The variety of inclines and winding paths will stretch your muscles and leave you feeling accomplished, all while immersing you in the solitude of nature.
Walking along iconic parts of the Bruce Trail and Niagara Escarpment, two of Ontario’s most celebrated landmarks we will get wonderful views of this patch of wilderness secreted away from everything.
This will be a challenging 11km hike with a variety of elevations.
Hike length: 11km
Estimated time to complete hike: 3.5 hours
This is a pretty easy hike with no massive changes in elevation and we’ll spend much of it on well developed trails. The hike crosses the Bruce Trail as we make our way through the Niagara Escarpment, so we'll be going through field, forest, orchards and hopping over plenty of streams. Along the way, we’ll be passing several waterfalls.
There may be be snow on the ground so we’ll be supplying ice-spikes for anybody who needs them if required.
09:50 - Meet up at the Petro Canada next to Keele Subway Station
10:00 - 11:00 Shuttle leaves. Please note, we leave dead on time and cannot wait for latecomers!
11:00 - Meet self-drivers at parking lot and begin hike- If no space at the parking lot, Parking can be found on Main St near Union St
11:00 - 15.30 Hike to Smokey Hollow with Lunch on the way
15:30 - 17:00 - Return to Toronto
17:00 - expected return to Toronto
This custom map is georeferenced, meaning it will show you where you are on the map in the right software and lays out the rough path that we’ll be following. It’s opened with the Avenza app which must be downloaded and installed in advance of the adventure.
You should also download the What3words app - this makes it easy to share and find locations in the unlikely event that you get lost.
It will be very muddy. Please bring shoes with lots of grip!
General Notes
There may be some snow on the ground so bring ice-spikes if you have them. We'll have spares for those who don't. (If the weather requires)
Shoes
Hiking boots are strongly recommended for this trip.
Clothing packing list
Please Bring a packed lunch and atleast 1L of water
Self drivers will need to find parking near the trail head - Please leave time to meet the van.
Hiking injuries - Wear appropriate footwear (ankle high hiking boots) and hike within your abilities. If you need extra support, bring hiking poles.
Waterfalls - Keep away from the waterfalls. The water will be very cold.
Getting lost - Stay with the group at all times, follow the instructions of the guides and download both the map referenced above as well as What3Words. You can't rely on having reception while out in the woods.
Hamilton has a long and complex history of Indigenous occupation, dating back over 10,000 years. The land that is now Hamilton was originally the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee (also known as the Iroquois) Confederacy, specifically the Mohawk and the Seneca nations.
The Haudenosaunee were skilled farmers and hunters, and they established large, permanent settlements in the region. They built longhouses, practiced agriculture, and maintained a complex social and political system.
In the 18th century, European settlers began to arrive in the area. The British established a military post at the site of present-day Hamilton in 1778, and the first permanent European settlement was established in the area in the late 1700s. As more settlers arrived, the Haudenosaunee were pushed off their land and their way of life was greatly disrupted. In the early 19th century, the Haudenosaunee were forced to give up their land in the region through a series of treaties.
Despite the impact of colonization on their traditional way of life, the Haudenosaunee people continue to have a strong presence in the region. Today, the Six Nations of the Grand River is one of the largest First Nations communities in Canada, and they continue to maintain their cultural traditions and connection to the land
