Hike L09F Dundas Valley Ancaster Waterfalls

The Dundas Seven Waterfalls

From Tiffany Falls, the suggested route of this Dundas Waterfalls hike follows the main Bruce Trail to Sherman Falls. It then enters the Dundas Valley Conservation Area where the Bruce Trail joins with the named Dundas Valley trail system following the Heritage Trail, the Main Loop and the Homestead Trail to pass Hermitage and Heritage Falls. At the Trail Centre, Sawmill Creek Trail forms a large loop to the north, retuning to the Trail Centre and then on to the Monarch Trail which loops back to near Sherman Falls.

Trail Centre: The trail centre is a Victorian reproduction of an old railway station. Beside the station is a short section of railway track with an executive coach car that was built in 1929. The Canadian Pacific Railway donated this car to the Conservation Authority in 1978 along with the 1931 baggage car accompanying it.

Sulphur Springs: Located near Sulphur Springs Road (across the road) is the spring that fed the Sulphur Springs Hotel's mineral spa in the 1800's. The waters were considered to have curative properties and hence the Hotel was a popular summer destination. The Hotel closed in 1910 due to two fires. The stone structure was recently rebuilt.

The Hermitage: Built in 1855 by a Scottish settler named George Gordon Browne Leith, this once magnificent stone mansion is now a ruins due to a fire. Take a look at the stones in the remaining structure. The red brick is from the Dundas Valley and the limestone sills were quarried in the nearby Credit River Valley. Much more about this and the haunting in hike L12 Dundas Valley Headwaters Trail.

The Old Oak: At the bottom of the apple orchard at the intersection of the Main Loop and Monarch Trails is a White Oak tree that is approximately 150 years old.

Griffin House: The house stands as a testament to the bravery and determination of black men and women who journeyed to freedom in Southern Ontario by the Underground Railroad. Griffin House offers tours and black-history-related programs as part of the Black Heritage Network. This unique historic site is situated atop a hill overlooking the Dundas Valley.  Public visitation is available holiday Mondays from May to October and during Open Doors.

Gatehouse Museum: This museum, built around the same time as the Hermitage, once housed the gatekeeper and his family. Now it holds in glass display cases some of the history of the Hermitage and the family who lived there. Behind the museum the Ancaster Creek tumbles over the Hermitage Falls before winding its way through the valley.

The Dundas Seven Waterfalls hike takes you on a fine journey to seven waterfalls in the Ancaster area of Dundas that you will enjoy immensely. Beginning at beautiful Tiffany Falls, the trail leads to enchanting Sherman Falls, passes both Canterbury Falls and Little Caterbury Falls as well as the Hermitage Falls and Heritage Falls. The nearby Mill Falls is definitely worth a vist as well to complete the tour. The recently upgraded trail at Tiffany Falls is a huge improvement form the previous dangerous high trail, and the new observation platform is a plus. My sister, Joan, thinks Sherman falls in it's spring setting is one of the prettiest waterfalls she's ever seen.