Smokey Hollow Waterfall is one of the best waterfalls to see in Hamilton, and it's one of the most amazing places to hike in Hamilton, too. There's a beautiful waterfall, a scenic hike along the Grindstone Creek, and it's part of one of the most epic trails in Ontario, the Bruce Trail. You need to plan an upcoming hiking trip to Smokey Hollow Falls, stat!
In this hiking guide, I'm going to show you how easy it is to view the Smokey Hollow Waterfall (also known as Grindstone Falls, Waterdown Falls or Great Falls). Beyond the waterfall, I'll provide details on where to go hiking here for a short or long trek.
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Smokey Hollow Waterfall Map
Here is a map of Smokey Hollow Waterfall and the Bruce Trail from the falls and beyond. This image was taken just beyond the parking lot at Smokey Hollow Falls, so you can see it when you visit. There are two different approaches you can take to this hike because the Bruce Trail runs right past the waterfall.
This map details a northwest trek starting at Smokey Hollow Falls in Waterdown and continuing up through Waterdown Woods. You'll eventually reach City View Park in Burlington and Kerncliff Park where you can keep hiking on the Bruce Trail.
You can also start your hike at Smokey Hollow Waterfall and venture southwest along Grindstone Creek towards Clappison Woods. This is the hike that I did and I will describe it in more detail below.
Smokey Hollow Waterfall: How to See the Falls
Smokey Hollow Waterfall is a 10 metres (32 feet) high waterfall. While it isn't the tallest out of all the 150+ Hamilton waterfalls, it is one of the most spectacular. Grindstone Creek plunges over this short cliff, and this waterfall used to power a sawmill back in the day.
The waterfall is right beside the small parking lot for the trail. Not much hiking is involved if you simply want to see the falls. There is a viewing platform above the waterfall looking down on the Grindstone Creek. While you can enjoy a beautiful view from up above, the waterfall looks even better from down below.
Descend down the path and down to the creek in order to see the waterfall from below. You'll have to navigate across some rocks, which can get slippery. Take great care when you're maneuvering across these rocks to reach the falls.
When I visited Smokey Hollow Waterfall, there weren't any signs prohibiting you from getting up close to the falls. I have heard reports that there are signs asking you to admire the waterfall from a safe distance. Please don't disobey any signage in the area. It's always good to respect the rules set out by the city / conservation authority. Plus, if you are caught disobeying any rules, you could possibly get a ticket!
Hiking at Smokey Hollow Waterfall and the Bruce Trail
Once you view Smokey Hollow Waterfall from below, turn around and start hiking on the Bruce Trail. Keep following the white trail blazes of the Bruce Trail that are lined along Grindstone Creek. You should always be able to see one up ahead as you hike. Here is my hiking guide for the Bruce Trail if you'd like more details.
This is an out and back trail, meaning that you will need to turn around and hike back to your starting point if you need to get back to your car (it is not a loop trail). As you keep walking on Grindstone Creek, you can soak up beautiful views of your surroundings.
It's possible that you might come across some stacked rocks by the creek. Please don't stack up rocks when you go hiking. It is harmful to the environment, it can disrupt wildlife, and it goes against leave no trace principles.
You can choose to turn around and head back at any point in time during this hike. The Bruce Trail runs all the way south to Niagara, so you can walk as long as you like. For a suggested 10km hike, you can walk to Clappison Woods and back. Here is a link to the AllTrails map for this hike.
Hiking Northwest From Smokey Hollow Falls
If you continue hiking northwest from Smokey Hollow Falls, you will eventually reach City View Park and Kerncliff Park in Burlington. This section of the Bruce Trail is a friendship trail with Offa's Dyke Path in Wales. Offa's Dyke Path links Sedbury Cliffs with the coastal town of Prestatyn on the shores of the Irish Sea.
It is named after the spectacular dyke that King Offa ordered to be constructed in the 8th century, most likely to divide his Kingdom of Mercia from rival kingdoms in modern-day Wales. Offa's Dyke Path is a 285km trail that passes through eight different counties and crosses the border between England and Wales over 20 times.
Plan Your Visit
It's easy to start your trip at Smokey Hollow Waterfall and hike on the Bruce Trail in either direction for a fantastic outing. You can try to park at the small parking lot beside the waterfall, but it is tiny and it fills up fast. The waterfall parking lot has free parking, but it will likely be full when you arrive. I recommend parking your car up in Waterdown, either on the side streets near town or at one of the paid parking lots.
There aren't any restrooms or facilities on this trail, so you will need to plan accordingly. This trail can get muddy in the spring or after a rainfall and quite slippery on the rocks in the wintertime. Proceed at your own risk if the weather isn't cooperating. When I hiked here in the fall, it wasn't very muddy or slippery, plus the fall colours always look so pretty.
It is free to go hiking at Smokey Hollow Waterfall. There isn't any admission fee or reservation required. Just show up and enjoy!
What to Bring on a Hike
A proper pair of hiking shoes is an absolute must. It’s also a good idea to bring sunscreen and lots of water, too. My water bottle of choice is the GRAYL Purifier because you can drink ANY water from any source, no matter what. Water from lakes, streams, rivers, public restrooms, you name it. It's the world's fastest portable purifier.
Don’t forget to pack some bug spray because there can be biting bugs depending on the time of year. Even if there aren't any signs, it’s safe to assume that ticks are all over Ontario hiking trails. Protect yourself against ticks by reading our guide to avoiding ticks on the trails.
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More Hiking in Hamilton, Halton and Brant Region
If you’re looking for more hikes in Hamilton and the surrounding areas, please check out the following articles:
- Princess Point Trails at the Royal Botanical Gardens
- The Bridle Trail Loop at the Royal Botanical Gardens
- Crawford Lake Conservation Area
- Kerncliff Park (part of the Bruce Trail)
- Bronte Creek Provincial Park
- Silver Creek Conservation Area
- Limehouse Conservation Area
- Sixteen Mile Creek Trail in Oakville
- Tiffany Falls Conservation Area
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