About this hike: This point-to-point hike explores the escarpment forests, creek valleys, waterfalls, and conservation lands surrounding Waterdown while completing seven required side trails for the Iroquoia Side Trails Challenge.
Beginning at Smokey Hollow, we will first visit Great Falls, one of the featured landmarks identified in the challenge log, before gradually working our way eastward along the Bruce Trail through some of the most scenic portions of the Waterdown and Grindstone Creek corridor. Along the route we will complete the Norman Pearson, Eric Best, McNally, King Side Trail, Ian Reid, and Fisher's Pond Side Trails while enjoying a combination of escarpment viewpoints, forested valleys, conservation lands, and historic trail corridors.
Highlights include:
Great Falls at Smokey Hollow
Grindstone Creek Valley
Escarpment-edge viewpoints
Forested conservation lands
Fisher's Pond
Waterdown Escarpment trail network
Historic Bruce Trail side trail corridors
This hike provides one of the most diverse hiking experiences in the challenge, combining waterfalls, forests, creek valleys, and escarpment scenery while completing the largest concentration of remaining challenge side trails in a single outing.
Side Trails Completed:
Norman Pearson Side Trail
Eric Best Side Trail
Smokey Hollow Side Trail
McNally Side Trail
King Side Trail
Ian Reid Side Trail
Fisher's Pond 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 7 hikes or just the ones you want. Hikes will have varied distances and terrains.
Dates of other hikes:
Nov 21 – Hike #6 Mount Nemo / River and Ruin
Dec 5 – Hike #7 Crawford Lake / Rattlesnake Point
Where: Hamilton / Burlington area
Length: ~18 km
Category: Car shuttle
Pace and duration: Medium – 3.5-4 km/hr.
Hike level: 2 Intermediate - Terrain includes forest trails, creek valleys, escarpment sections, moderate elevation changes, roots, rocks, and potentially muddy footing depending on recent weather conditions. Participants should expect 5-6 hours of continuous hiking with occasional short climbs and descents.
Parking & Departure: Meet at 7:45 am at the Guelph Line Bruce Trail Parking Area – Roadside parking on Guelph Line (43.388366, -79.854231), south of No. 1 Sideroad. Park on the west side of the road within the designated area, between the two parking signs. Do not block farm gate. Following introductions and shuttle organization, promptly at 8:00 am, all participants will car shuttle to the starting location at Smokey Hollow – Great Falls parking area beside Mill St, at the Smokey Hollow Side Trail (43.330803, -79.886980). The hike will conclude back at the Guelph Line 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.
