S1.Ep3 "Into The Dundas Valley". Hiking The Bruce Trail End To End : A Journey Across Ontario

Season 1, Episode 3 : “Into The Dundas Valley”
What a day this was. In the 3rd episode of ‘End to End : Hiking The Bruce Trail”, we enter the magnificent Dundas Valley. It was a hot day in June to hike 25 km up and down the escarpment - 30 degrees Celsius (86 F) and not a cloud in the sky. Thankfully there was plenty of water, at least for the first half of the day, from the many creeks and waterfalls that run through the valley. I think I drank close to 8 litres that day and ran out of water at one point. It was a hot one.
The day started just below Tiffany Falls where the trail runs through a jumbly rocky forested section and then emerges at Old Dundas Rd, at Ancaster Creek. I took a quick trip up to see the stunning Sherman Falls, then continued, entering the Dundas Valley Conservation Area. There is a deep beautiful forest through this stretch, with great cliffs and crevasse’s to explore. Eventually it leads to the Hermitage, stone ruins that hold stories, history and legends from the Dundas Valley. In fact the whole area steeped in history.
We make a short stop at the Dundas Valley Trail Centre and check out the old Canadian National Railroad cars on display – then head back into the woods making our way along the railway tracks, eventually taking a turn off the beaten path, and up to the Dundas Lookout.
Here I carefully edit out the monstrosity of a fence / barrier recently built atop the Dundas Lookout, a historical and incredible place to connect with nature and view the giant expanse of the Spencer Gorge. I remember bringing my young daughter there when she was only a few months old, when I lived in Dundas, and held her up to see the view like a scene from the Lion King. There was no fence then.
The hike continued up and down and back up the escarpment on Sydenham Rd, past Borer’s Falls, light in water but heavy in beauty, and along the escarpment edge beyond into the Royal Botanical Gardens. Here we start to get some great views from the West side of the Valley, at the landmark “Skyway Bridge” that crosses Hamilton Harbour and has been in view off and on since Grimsby, and scenes of Burlington, Hamilton and Lake Ontario.
The day ends down the steps at “Old Guelph Rd.” (HWY 6).
Notes
Season One covers the first 450 km of the trail from Niagara to Collingwood and is 19 Episodes – airing weekly, every Tuesday from Nov.9th 2021 to March 15th 2022 on YouTube, Rumble, CloutHub, BitChute and Minds.
Visit SteveWelchOntario.com for more information, links to episodes, and music from the series.
Thanks as always to the many people, past, present and future who work tirelessly to create, maintain and improve our trail systems. And thanks to the landowners who share their beautiful land. It is very much appreciated.
Details:
Bruce Trail Reference Guide Maps: 8-9
Total Map Distance : 20.7 km
Step Counter Distance (including side trips) : 25.4 km
Music from the Episode:
“Country Road” and “Things Are Happening” from the album Upland
“Long Way Down”, and “Love Travels Far 2019” from Steve Welch 2019
Intro : “Things Are Happening” and “Alive Healthy and Free” from the album Upland
Outro : “Algorithm” from the album Upland
Individual songs $0.99, Upland Album $9.99 (16 songs)
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Available at : Steve Welch (stevewelchontario.com)
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#BruceTrail #Hiking #Dundas
#TrailHike #CanadianHiking #SectionHike #TiffanyFalls #DundasValley #ShermanFalls #Hermitage #DundasLookout #SpencerGorge #RoyalBotanicalGardens #NiagaraEscarpment #Waterfalls

Comments are welcome – Have you hiked this area? Are there other good trails nearby? Do you live in the area and have stories to share? Old escarpment legends or family history? What influence has the Niagara Escarpment and the Bruce Trail had in your life? It would be great to hear as well from those around the world who love to get outside and enjoy and appreciate the beautiful land.