Spencer Gorge/Webster's Falls Conservation Area is home to one of the most popular waterfalls in the Hamilton area. The park offers beautiful views of the forested depths of the gorge below and has washroom facilities, picnic tables and sheltered areas. The area is actually really nice with a cobblestone footbridge that crosses over Spencer Creek.
At the Conservation Area, there's also a hiking trail to Dundas Peak, that overlooks Dundas and Hamilton. If you take the hiking trail, you'll see lookouts for Tews Falls, a 41-metre waterfall. So this visit is a 3-in-1 deal!
Webster's Falls
If you park at Webster's Falls, all you need to do is walk across the field to get to the waterfall. You'll know which way to walk towards when you hear the rushing water or the crowds of people. You'll only be able to get a view from the top of the waterfall. The area will be fenced off for safety reasons. Hang out on the benches to enjoy the scenery or hike one of the trails in the area!
If you park at Tews Falls, you'll need to hike towards Webster's Falls. Keep an eye out for signs pointing out Webster's Falls. It shouldn't take more than 30 minutes to get there. You know you're close when you hike past a beautiful home.
Tews Falls and Dundas Peak
So, same idea as above. It all depends where you parked.
If you parked at Webster's Falls, you'll need to head back towards the parking lot. The trail starts on the opposite side of the parking lot entrance. Does that make sense? If you see trees and a trail, you're on the right track.
You'll see the trail going left or right. You'll want to turn left here because the trail going right leads to a dead end. If you continue down this trail, you'll hike past a beautiful home, several lookouts for Tews Falls and then finally, you'll reach Dundas Peak.
Okay, so if you parked at Tews Falls, you're inbetween Webster's Falls and Dundas Peak. You'll start with the lookouts for Tews Falls. Continue down the trail and you'll reach Dundas Peak. If you walk past the beautiful home, you're going the wrong way.
Once you reach Dundas Peak, enjoy the view! If you're daring enough, take a photo with your legs hanging over the edge.
More Information:
- Entrance fee: There's an entrance fee of $5/person. Children under 5 are free.
- Parking: There's a parking fee of $10/car. There are two parking lots - one at Webster's Falls and one at Tews Falls. The main one is at Tew's Falls (607 Harvest Rd, Dundas, ON L9H 5K7). Don't park on the side of the road, since you'll be ticketed and towed.
- Time: It takes 1 - 1.5 hours to finish it completely.
- Best time to visit? Our favourite time to visit was during the fall since you see an array of colours looking down from Dundas Peak.
- The stairs to get to the bottom are officially taken down. There's no safe way to get to the base. Instead, if you want to visit the bottom of a waterfall, try Devil's Punchbowl.
- There's a shuttle service that will now run between a large parking area just outside Dundas and Spencer Gorge/Webster Falls Conservation Area.