This Beautiful Hike Near Toronto Takes You Past A Woodland Waterfall To A Red & Gold Valley

You can wander through an autumn wonderland at this gorgeous hiking spot near Toronto. Boasting a tumbling waterfall and breathtaking lookout, this place is worth a road trip this season.

Spencer Gorge Conservation Area, located in Dundas, has endless nature to explore. One gorgeous hike to take in the fall is the Dundas Peak and Tew Falls Loop.

You'll wander along a leaf-covered trail to Tew Falls, a 41-metre ribbon waterfall that's the tallest in Hamilton. There are several viewing platforms so you can get multiple vantage points of the cascade.

Once you've enjoyed this natural wonder, you can take a forested trail to Dundas Peak. The 1.8-kilometre loop can be found to the right side of the falls, and it will lead you uphill through red and gold trees. Along the way, you'll come across another lookout with views of the gorge, so you'll want to have your eyes peeled and your camera ready.

Once you reach Dundas Peak, you'll be treated to "incomparable" views. The towering spot is located at the opening of Spencer Gorge, and you can gaze across a valley speckled with vibrant orange and red trees. If the sky is clear, you'll be able to see places like Hamilton Harbour, Dundas, and Ancaster.

A reservation is required in advance during fall colours since September 23, 2023. You can book a spot online up to a week before visiting. The reservation allows for a 2 hour visit to the area.

The conservation area is home to another waterfall — Webster Falls, but this spot requires a separate reservation. Webster Falls is a 22-metre classical curtain waterfall and is one of Hamilton's "most iconic waterfalls."

There are two lookouts to enjoy at Webster Falls. The first overlooks the gorge and has a close-up view of the falls. The second can be found across the cobblestone bridge and features a complete view of this beautiful cascade.

The cobblestone bridge crosses Spencer Creek and will whisk you back in time. You'll feel like you're wandering through the English countryside as you stroll over this historic landmark.

After the second lookout, you can follow the trail further to find the old gravestones of the Webster family as well as other sights.

These aren't the only beautiful cascades to see in the area. Hamilton is known as the "waterfall capital of the world" and is home to over 100 cascades.

Some popular landmarks include Tiffany Falls, a stunning waterfall tucked away in a forest and surrounded by bridges and streams.

You can also visit the beautiful Devil's Punchbowl. This unique natural wonder is "one of the most stunning natural formations along the Niagara Escarpment," according to the tourism website. The cascade plunges into a multi-coloured gorge shaped like a basin.

After viewing Devil's Punchbowl, you can explore the nearby Dofasco 2000 Trail which passes through the countryside of Stoney Creek and includes a boardwalk trail.

There are tons of other cascades waiting to be explored in Hamilton so you can plan a whole waterfall-hopping adventure.

If you're dreaming of autumn views, take a trip to the stunning Spencer Gorge Conservation Area to see a tumbling waterfall and breathtaking lookout. Don't forget to make a reservation in advance!

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.

This article has been updated since it was originally published on October 08, 2022.