RAINBOW HIKE: Smokey Hollow Waterfall to Dundas

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Rainbow Hike
Location (Google Maps): Smokey Hollow Waterfalls, Waterdown

Hike Leader(s): Doug O'Neill Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium - 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Strenuous - Hilly with steep climbs and some poor footing
Distance: 14 km

Description

Come by car or transit for this all-inclusive 2SLGBTQI+ friendly hike from Smokey Hollows Waterfall, Waterdown to downtown Dundas.

Please arrive at the Smokey Hollow parking lot, 80 Mill St. South, by 8:45 a.m. for a 9 a.m. start.

We'll follow the main trail along Grindstone Creek, through Clappison Woods, Borer's Falls and Rock Chapel before heading down Sydenham to Dundas. We'll be in deciduous forest for much of the day. Some excellent lookouts. Expect hills, a handful of steep climbs and descents, plus some rocky terrain. There are no spots to refill your water bottle. It's that expected all hikers can manage 3.5 km per hour on uneven terrain. We'll be on the trail from 9 a.m. until approximately 1:30-2 pm. allowing for rest stops, bio breaks and lunch. If you're looking for a slow leisurely pace on flat terrain, this may not be the ideal hike for you.

Lunch will be at an abandoned skate park in the middle of nowhere. It's not what you'd expect to see along the Bruce Trail.

By transit. The easiest route is to take HSR transit or GO Bus (depending where you live) to Aldershot GO station, then hop on the 18 Leavitt Loop bus and get off at "Mill at Mountain Brow," near the Smokey Hollows parking lot. The bus drivers on this route are accustomed to hikers.

By car: There is unpaid parking at Smokey Hollow. Note: As I discovered on my pre-hike, the parking lot fills up early. An alternative: There's street parking on Flanders Drive, which is about a 15-minute walk to Smokey Hollows (80 Mill St. South). PLEASE allow yourself enough time to find parking as we're meeting at Smokey Hollows parking lot at 8:45 a.m latest. There are no washroom facilities at the starting point (um, plan accordingly or skip the large coffee :).

Upon reaching downtown Dundas at the end of the hike, drivers can do group Uber shuttles back to the Smokey Hollows parking lot. Anyone coming by transit can simply hop the bus from Dundas back to Hamilton.

Bring 1.5 litres of water and lunch. Sunscreen is also recommended. Hiking boots or sturdy footwear are recommended.

Get your complimentary Bruce Trail Rainbow badge and/or sticker at the end of the hike! For those interested, we frequently go for refreshments (pub or ice cream) in Dundas.

Feel free to reach out to the Hike Leader if you have any questions - "Click here to contact Hike Leader" on this form.