Walking up the laneway of the Hermitage on a snowy January morning, it is easy to envision that you are stepping back in time. As you approach this formerly magnificent home in the Dundas Valley, you can almost imagine parties and day to day activity going on in what was a very prominent home in its day.
According to the historical plaque at the ruins, stones used in construction were quarried from local sites, the red bricks from the Dundas Valley and the limestone sills from the Credit River Valley. The Hermitage had several owners before it was acquired by George Gordon Leith in 1855. After George’s death in 1901, his daughter Alma Dick-Lauder bought the estate from the rest of the family and lived there until 1934, when a fire broke out during a party and burned the house down. Even after this fire, Alma continued to live on the site, building a modest home within the ruins where she lived until her death in 1942.
A Google search of this site will reveal many articles detailing alleged paranormal activity in this
area. One that sticks out was reported by a group of young men who saw an apparition of the house restored to its former glory with lights on in the windows and very obvious signs of life. Others have reported hearing footsteps following them and whispers behind them and someone reported having seen a glowing corpse that vanished when they went in for a better look at it.
The Hermitage history is rich with legend and romantic tragedies of suicide and lovers scorned. The rumours and dark stories of murders and satanic rituals as well as the sightings and quiet woods make it a place that will forever be whispered about when the darkness falls and the moonlight shines.
According to the historical plaque at the ruins, stones used in construction were quarried from local sites, the red bricks from the Dundas Valley and the limestone sills from the Credit River Valley. The Hermitage had several owners before it was acquired by George Gordon Leith in 1855. After George’s death in 1901, his daughter Alma Dick-Lauder bought the estate from the rest of the family and lived there until 1934, when a fire broke out during a party and burned the house down. Even after this fire, Alma continued to live on the site, building a modest home within the ruins where she lived until her death in 1942.A Google search of this site will reveal many articles detailing alleged paranormal activity in this
area. One that sticks out was reported by a group of young men who saw an apparition of the house restored to its former glory with lights on in the windows and very obvious signs of life. Others have reported hearing footsteps following them and whispers behind them and someone reported having seen a glowing corpse that vanished when they went in for a better look at it.The Hermitage history is rich with legend and romantic tragedies of suicide and lovers scorned. The rumours and dark stories of murders and satanic rituals as well as the sightings and quiet woods make it a place that will forever be whispered about when the darkness falls and the moonlight shines.
In spite of this, I have to confess that I just found the site to be incredibly peaceful, particularly on this snowy day. 
The Hermitage can be found while hiking from the Dundas Valley Trail Centre and is located on the Main loop. This trail is a favourite of mine, filled with rolling hills, streams and moss covered rocks.
A short distance away, you will find the gatehouse of the Hermitage and directly behind it is the Hermitage Cascade. This beautiful cascade waterfall is 13 feet (4 metres) in height and is very pretty.
There are many good reasons to check out this trail in the Dundas Valley and both the Hermitage and the Hermitage Cascade are well worth the visit.
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