Spencer Gorge Wilderness Area: Tew Falls and Dundas Peak

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We were going to the Royal Botanical Gardens for the afternoon and decided to find a short hike in the area to round out the day. Tew Falls in the Spencer Gorge Wilderness Area and the views from Dundas Peak sounded perfect. This was more of a “walk in the park” than a hike. For the most part we were walking on fine-gravel paths, well maintained bridges, and cement lookout points with sturdy guardrails.

(As of spring 2021 you have to make reservations in advance as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.)

Location of the hike

  • West of Hamilton, just North of Dundas, Ontario
  • Start Bruce Trail Reference Map #8 Dundas – Iroquoia Club km 61.2
  • Far End of Hike Map #8 Dundas – Iroquoia Club km 59.2
  • Total Bruce Trail Distance 2.0 km
  • Side Trail Dundas Peak Side Trail – 1.8 km

Driving and Parking

  • 581 Harvest Rd, Dundas, ON L9H 4W2 – Plus Code: 72JC+M4 Hamilton, Ontario
  • Latitude: 43.281798957536814, Longitude -79.97973689522401
  • About an hour south west from Toronto:
    • Take the QEW / 403 West to exit 74, Hwy 6 north towards Guelph
    • Turn left (west) on Hwy 5 towards Paris
    • Turn left (south) on Ofeld Road
    • Turn right on Harvest Road – the wilderness area will be on your left (south)

Hike Details

As of Spring 2021 there are hiking restrictions in place – be sure to follow the signs to keep yourself, and everyone else enjoying the waterfalls, safe!

Tew Falls is close to the parking lot – Logie’s Creek drops 41m (or 134 feet) over the Niagara Escarpment here. For reference, the Horeshoe Falls at Niagara Falls is only 11m taller (or 35ft). These falls are named after Johnson Tew who owned the land between 1874 to 1974.

Logie’s creek falling over the Niagara Escarpment at Tew Falls

After you’ve enjoyed the view of the ribbon falls from the two different viewing platforms you can continue south along the trail, keeping to your right for the one-way, counterclockwise loop to the Dundas Peak and back. The trail was one of the first organized by the Hamilton Conservation Authority, and is called the Shurvin Mile, to honour a former chairperson of the charity. It is also very busy, so be sure to stay on the trail to reduce the impact on the natural habitat.

Looking towards the Dundas Peak from a lookout half way along the Shruvin Mile

At the southern end of the hike you’ll arrive at Dundas Peak, at the mouth of the Spencer Gorge. Webster’s Falls isn’t far, but for the time being we’ll head back north, again keeping to the right, to enjoy the forest. This whole area has been open to the public since 1967 – the first opened by the Hamilton Conservation Authority.

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