You’ll start with a view of the wondrous Great Falls, an awesome 10-metre high ribbon terraced waterfall that spans 5-metres wide and offers a rushing water spectacle. The Niagara Escarpment is then your backdrop as you travel along Grindstone Creek Escarpment Valley on the Bruce Trail. This large glacial valley features beautiful rock formations and groomed footpaths in an interior forest of towering trees. End your first day with an evening in the charming downtown core of Waterdown with its many restaurants.

Grindstone Creek will take you on a journey from the Great Falls in Waterdown to the Royal Botanical Gardens where the trails of the Hendrie Valley introduce hikers to marshlands and wetlands that are the home for native fish and a variety of birds and amphibians. Don’t miss the Royal Botanical Gardens Visitor Centre, Hendrie Park, the Morrison Woodland Garden, the Lily Collection, the Medicinal Garden, and Laking Garden, home to the RBG’s herbaceous perennial collections.


Itinerary Highlights

  • Suggested Itinerary: 2 days, 1 night
  • Trails Included: Bruce Trail, Rockcliffe Side Trail, Grindstone Marsh Trail
  • Trail Types: groomed trails, semi-groomed trails, steps and stairs, packed earth, road pavement, boardwalk
  • Waterfalls Included: Great Falls, Grindstone Cascade
  • Points of Interest: Niagara Escarpment, Royal Botanical Gardens

Download the detailed itinerary to guide your through this two-day trip!

Download Itinerary


Niagara Escarpment Waterfall Trip Series

Courtesy of its location along the Niagara Escarpment, a landmark ridge that runs through Southern Ontario, Hamilton and its environs are home to over 100 waterfalls. Hikers have endless options for single and multi-day hikes that put these stunners front and centre. If you’d like to explore more of these natural works of art, we’ve got a series of Niagara Escarpment waterfall trip itineraries to guide you in your discovery:

For more trip ideas featuring the waterfalls of Hamilton Halton Brant click here, and visit Tourism Hamilton’s Waterfall Guides on their website.

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Experiences & Tours View All >>

Now thru January 5

Imagination Playground

Royal Botanical Gardens

680 Plains Road West, Burlington, ON, L7T 4H4

November 30 to January 5: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (exceptions below) December 25, 26:...

Now thru December 22

Dundurn Castle Christmas Evening Tours

Dundurn Castle – National Historic Site

610 York Boulevard, Hamilton, ON, L8R 3H1

Dates: December 6,7,8,13,14,15,20,21,22 Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Ages: All Cost: $45.00 per person....

Now thru December 31

Hamilton Civic Museums Virtual Tours

28 James St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 1A1

Now thru December 31

Private Date Night Painting for 2

studio k2

The Cotton Factory, DyeWorks Building, 9 Landsdowne Avenue, Hamilton

Whenever Date Night is! Event Price: $165.00 + hst per couple.

Now thru January 5

Escarpment Train Exhibit

Royal Botanical Gardens

680 Plains Road West, Burlington, ON, L7T 4H4

Saturdays and Sundays and Dec 27, Jan 2, 3 Time:10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Garden...

Now thru December 31

Music Bingo at Flux

Flux Brewing Company

185 Oakland Rd, Scotland, ON N0E 1R0

Date & Time: January 17th (1st bingo night of the year) $5 cover to join

Now thru December 31

Home of #99 Taste Adventure

Tasty Road Trips Food Tours

Paris, Ontario

Tour Details: This tour is a five+ hour all-inclusive self-guided tour with all food, sips,...

Now thru December 31

A Taste of Paris – Sip, Savour & Shopping

Tasty Road Trips Food Tours

Paris, Ontario

Tour Details: This tour includes three tasting locations with timed stops to make your day...

Now thru January 1

Woodland Cultural Centre – Self Guided Museum Tour

Woodland Cultural Centre

184 Mohawk Street, Brantford, ON, N3T 5V6

Now thru December 15

Afternoon Tea at Arlington Hotel

Arlington Hotel

106 Grand River Street North, Paris, ON, N3L 2M5

Dates and Times: every 3rd Sunday from 11:00am to 3:00pm Price: $35 per person, $19...

Now thru December 19

Trivia Nights at the Arlington

Arlington Hotel

106 Grand River Street North, Paris, ON, N3L 2M5

Dates and Times: every Thursday from 7:00pm to 9:00pm Max 6 people per team, must...

December 21

Ornament Craft with Rivers and Meadows

Hamilton Farmers’ Market

35 YORK BOULEVARD

Date & Time: Sat, Dec 21st, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm FREE Admission

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