This hike near Toronto winds through a haunted forest to ghostly ruins and a misty waterfall
Feeling brave? This hike near Toronto is not for the faint of heart. You can wander through a "haunted" forest to ghostly ruins with a chilling backstory.
The Main Loop Trail, located in Hamilton's Dundas Valley Conservation Area, is a spooky adventure that's perfect for the Halloween season.
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Shrouded in fall colours and ghostly tales, the hike leads through a red and gold forest to eerie ruins, a hemlock grove and more.
According to Tourism Hamilton, the forest is "haunted" and the ruins, which were once part of an 1855 estate known as "The Hermitage," are wrapped up in a tragic tale.
The ghost story begins in 1833, when an Englishman named Otto Ives owned the land. Legend has it that Ives' coachman, William Black, fell in love with Mrs. Ives' niece, but his request to marry her was refused.
The next morning, Black did not arrive with the carriage, and was discovered hanged in the stables. In those days, a death of this nature couldn't be buried in a churchyard, so Black was interred at the crossroads, a place which now bears the name "Lover's Lane" in remembrance of the tragic love story.
On moonlit nights, it is said that the coachman can sometimes be heard crying for his lost love.
The Main Loop Trail also leads to the Hermitage Cascade, a small, 4-metre waterfall with a gentle flow.
The 3.4 kilometre loop takes about 90 minutes to complete and features beautiful foliage and crisp autumn air.
The Main Loop Trail
Price: $11 per vehicle
Address: 621 Sulphur Springs Rd., Dundas, ON
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of harming themselves, please reach out to a trusted peer, parent or health care professional. You can also contact the Crisis Services Canada helpline, which is available 24 hours a day, or consult these additional resources. If you need immediate assistance, please call 911 or go to your nearest hospital. Support is available.
