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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Puddicombe Estate Winery Tour: 5oz Wine Train

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1468 HWY 8, Winona, ON, L8E 5K9

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Six Nations Tourism

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Our experiences are offered in studio at The Cotton Factory in Hamilton, ON

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7256 Bell School Line, Milton, ON, L9T 2Y1

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123 King Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8P 4S8

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