Spencer Gorge - Lower Tews Falls and Webster’s Falls

I am frequently asked what my favorite hiking trail in the Dundas Valley is. With the vast selection and a multitude of beautiful and interesting destinations here, you may think that this would be a tough question to answer, but for me it’s easy.
For me, the hike into the Spencer Gorge from the CN rail line to Webster’s Fall’s has it all; stunning views, fast water, challenging trails and beautiful waterfalls.

In a typical year, this route can be tough to navigate for a spring hike due to the wet ground which can make parts of the trail impassable or dangerous. Due to the lack of snow this year, this trail is unseasonably dry early so I thought I would make my first visit to the area this past weekend.

Parking on Woodley Lane, by the Dundas Golf and Curling Club, I followed the railway service entrance along the north side of the CN railway tracks and followed them in an eastern direction towards Spencer Creek. The trail I was looking for can be found just to the west side of the creek and it follows the western bank taking you north towards Webster’s Falls. Please be extremely careful in this area. These railway tracks are active and there have been accidents in the past. Please ensure that you walk leaving plenty of space between you and the tracks.
The Spencer Gorge Wilderness Area is part of the Niagara Escarpment, declared by the United Nations (UNESCO) as a World Biosphere Reserve. This unique geological formation contains a few of Hamilton’s best waterfalls, one of its best lookouts, and hundreds of species of wildlife living in this Carolinian forest.

This trail is quite technical with uneven rock strewn areas, narrow sections with steep drop-offs and plenty of tree roots to navigate over. Boots with good traction are a must. The reward for your hard work is that the views are amazing and the area has a very rugged natural feel, much like you would experience hiking into much more remote locations.As the trail descends down towards the water level there are various spots where the water creates rapids as it shoots over and around the large moss covered rocks. One of my favorite places to stop is where Logies Creek empties into Spencer Creek. From this bank you can see Lower Tews Falls through the trees. Continuing along the trail there are a couple of spots where the trail becomes very narrow and care must be taken as there is about a 25 foot drop to the rocky creek bed below. Once through this section, the walk is easy and within a few minutes you can hear the rushing sound of the water coming over Webster’s Falls. The view as you round the curve in the trail and first spot Webster’s Falls is a great one and is a nice reward after the effort made to get this far.
As you approach the rushing waters of waterfalls you will see a narrow waterfall on your left. This complex ribbon waterfall is called Baby Webster’s Falls. At times the water flow here is very light and it is best seen immediately after a seasonal storm or after the winter snow melt. Its height is 9 metres (30 ft.) and its width is 3 metres (10 ft).
Webster’s Falls is always a sight to see and at 22 metres (72 feet) in height with a crest width about the same, it makes for an impressive photo opportunity. You can view the falls from below or follow the steps at the left side to gain access to the park above. Leaving the fall’s I backtracked the way I had came, although I veered up along the Bruce Trail when I saw the white markers taking the elevated trail back. This trail is somewhat easier and provides great views of the creek below as well as the interesting stone formations of the canyon walls. All in all, a great hike and one I plan on repeating numerous times this summer.
Next week: A hike deeper into the Spencer Gorge with visits to Lower Tews Falls and the trail leading to the base of the always impressive Tews Falls.

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