The winter season brings some phenomenal ice formations at waterfalls. It’s one of the best times to explore, and a lot of waterfalls around Hamilton don’t require trekking long trails! It’s a great way to do a mini road trip waterfall adventure.
Before you go – remember that icicles fall all the time. Do not stand close enough to falls where any ice or heavy snow can fall on you. Be careful!
Let the Adventure Begin!
I recommend starting your adventure off with your favourite hot beverage so you’re toasty warm and cozy.
The first destination of this trip is Balls Falls, located in Lincoln. It’s close to Hamilton, and has two waterfalls to explore – the upper and lower. Lower is my favourite, but since you’re here, may as well check out the upper too!
- Length: 0.5km to 1.8km
- Parking: Paid (there is a small parking lot on the side of Glen Road where the Bruce Trail connects)
- Other Events: Holiday Trail
The next stop I recommend is one of my favourite waterfalls in all of Ontario, Devils Punchbowl located in Stoney Creek. This waterfall is just phenomenal in all seasons because of the punchbowl, but it has a really unique ice formation in the winter.
- Length: 1km
- Parking: Paid (You can ask at the Punchbowl Market if you can park there, everytime I have they said yes. There are a few different ways to get to Devils Punchbowl, but I am most familiar with the Devils Punchbowl Bruce Trail Side Trail)
You are officially entering Hamilton for the rest of your adventure. Felkers Falls is a beautiful waterfall, the trail is easy but I recommend waterproof boots on it.
- Length: 0.9km
- Parking: Free (Park on Quigley St or Hildegarde Dr in Hamilton and there is a little corner between houses with a public trail)
The next few trails are very close to one another so you’ll get through these ones fairly quickly. Tiffany Falls in Hamilton is another one of my favourite waterfalls in Ontario!
- Length: 0.8km
- Parking: Paid (You can pay here and use same parking ticket for next 2 waterfalls)
Just down the road from Tiffany Falls is Sherman Falls, you can use the parking ticket from Tiffany Falls here or walk over.
- Length: 0.6km
- Parking: Paid (Use Tiffany Falls parking ticket)
At the beginning of Sherman Falls, you’ll find a trail going off to the right that takes you to Canterbury Falls! There are also lots of Bruce Trail connections in there if you want more of a hike.
- Length: 1km
- Parking: Paid (Use Tiffany Falls/Sherman Falls parking ticket)
If you have time and want to do one more, my next recommendation would be Upper Syndenham Falls. To get here I parked on Livingstone Drive in front of a playground and took the trail under the bridge up to the waterfall.
- Length: 0.8km
- Parking: Free (Park on Livingstone Drive in Hamilton, in Dundas Peak area)
This concludes your Winter Waterfall Adventure! I hope you enjoy this trip, make great memories and love the views.
If you use this itinerary as inspiration for your next waterfall adventure, please tag me (@yourmatiekatie) on social media so I can see!
Until next time, keep on trekkin’
Kate 🥾
yourmatiekatie 