About this hike: This point-to-point hike follows one of the most scenic escarpment corridors in the Iroquoia section of the Bruce Trail, connecting waterfalls, escarpment lookouts, mature forests, and several required challenge side trails.
Beginning near the Bruce Trail Conservancy headquarters, we will first complete the Cheryl Duke Side Trail, which honours one of the Iroquoia Club's long-time volunteers and provides access to the Conservancy office. From there, we will travel westward along the escarpment, completing the Tews Falls, Glen Ferguson, Ray Lowes, Old Guelph Road, and Rockcliffe Side Trails.
Highlights include views of Tews Falls, escarpment edge hiking overlooking the Dundas Valley and Grindstone Creek watershed, sections of the historic Sydenham escarpment corridor, and some of the quieter forested portions of the Bruce Trail. This route has been designed to minimize backtracking while efficiently completing several required challenge trails in a single outing.
The hike will finish at the Rockcliffe Side Trail parking area where vehicles will be waiting.
Side Trails Completed:
Cheryl Duke Side Trail
Tews Falls Side Trail
Glen Ferguson Side Trail
Ray Lowes Side Trail
Old Guelph Road Side Trail
Rockcliffe Side Trail
These are all required trails for the Iroquoia Side Trails Challenge.
Hike leader: Brandon Correia
Contact: brandoncorreia8240@gmail.com | 519-500-2861
About the leader: Brandon has been actively hiking with the GVTA and Bruce Trail organizations since 2022 and enjoys intermediate to longer distance hikes, most specifically on the GVT and Bruce Trail.
About this series of hikes: Join Brandon on this Iroquoia Side Trails Badge Series. In this series of 7 hikes, we will complete the Iroquoia Bruce Trail Side Trails Challenge. Once the challenge is over, we can apply for a badge, more details on the challenge can be found here: SIDE TRAIL CHALLENGE BADGE - Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club.
More detail on future hikes to be posted shortly. Feel free to join all hikes or just the ones you want. Hikes will have varied distances and terrains.
Tentative dates of other hikes:
Oct 10 – Hike #5 Waterdown/ Smokey Hollow side trails
Nov 21 – Hike #6 Mount Nemo / River and Ruin
Dec 5 – Hike #7 Crawford Lake / Rattlesnake Point
Where: Hamilton Area
Length: 21 km
Category: Car shuttle
Pace and duration: Medium – 3.5-4 km/hr.
Hike level: Intermediate (2) to difficult (3 - due to length) - Terrain consists of escarpment trails, forest paths, moderate elevation changes, uneven footing, roots, rocks, and potentially muddy sections depending on weather conditions.
Parking & Departure: Meet at 7:45 am at the Rockcliffe Side Trail Parking Area, off road parking on Rockcliffe Rd. (43.322915, -79.900959). Following introductions and shuttle organization, promptly at 8:00 am, all participants will car shuttle to the starting location near the Bruce Trail Conservancy office at 55 Head St, Dundas, which is also the starting point of the Cheryl Duke Side Trail (43.267758, -79.974288). The hike will conclude back at the Rockcliffe Rd parking area.
Directions: Please use your favourite GPS app to obtain directions.
What to wear and bring: Please bring plenty of water (at least 2 litres), snacks, and weather-appropriate clothing. Hiking boots or sturdy trail footwear are strongly recommended due to the potential for uneven and rocky surfaces. Depending on the weather, sunscreen, bug spray, rain gear, and hiking poles may be useful.
Sorry, no dogs on GVTA hikes with the exception of certified service dogs.
ALL ARE WELCOME ON OUR HIKES. Membership is encouraged as it helps to support our trails, $30 per household. To become a member please go to:
https://www.gvta.on.ca/Membership.
