Dundas Peak Hiking Guide: Including Tips, Tricks & More!

There are so many amazing places to hike in Ontario. While the province may not have the Rocky Mountains or either of the oceans, Ontario is still full of beautiful charms. One of them lies 20 minutes from downtown Hamilton – Dundas Peak. Home to some of the best waterfalls in Hamilton as well as some incredible views of the city, it’s no wonder the Dundas Peak has grown in popularity over the years. Keep reading and you’ll quickly see why!

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What is Dundas Peak & Where Is It?

The Dundas Peak is located in the town of Dundas which has been amalgamated into the city of Hamilton. It’s a part of the Spencer Gorge Conservation Area, one of the properties overseen by the Hamilton Conservation Authority. From atop of this Niagara Escarpment section you can enjoy breathtaking views of the town of Dundas, the Dundas Valley as well as a glimpse of “The Hammer”. This viewpoint is now considered one of the most popular spots in Hamilton!

This south-facing piece of the Niagara Escarpment is aptly named for the Spencer Gorge, the main feature of the area. This y-shaped valley has over 10 bowl-shaped basins stacked on top of each other. They show earlier positions of waterfalls in the gorge and their size decreases as you move upstream. The largest basins are the oldest, measuring from 190 to over 350 metres – akin to the ever-amazing Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls, Ontario!

How To Get To Dundas Peak

If you’re coming in from out of town, you have a few options. Planning an Ontario road trip? It’s just an hour’s drive from a number of destinations. If you’re driving to Dundas Peak from Toronto, hop on the 403. Take the exit for Highway 6 North and then hang a left onto Highway 5. About 10 minutes down the road you’ll see the Christie Lake Conservation Area on your left. By the way, you might want to stop at Borer’s Falls as you’ll pass right by it!

Coming in from Niagara Falls or St Catharines to visit Dundas Peak? Take the QEW until the 403 west exit, then follow the Toronto directions from there. Are you from Waterloo Region like myself? The most straight forward way is to take Highway 8 past Cambridge until you reach Highway 5. At the roundabout, take the third exit and a few minutes later you’ll see signs for the Christie Lake Conservation area!

Sunset Over Dundas Peak from When I First Hiked it in 2015

Hiking Dundas Peak

Within the Spencer Gorge Conservation Area, you’ll find a number of great hiking trails. Ontario’s famous Bruce Trail runs through this area and is guaranteed to be a great adventure. If you’ve never hiked the Bruce Trail before, I highly recommend tackling some of this 900 km long trail. I’ve done different sections of the trail and always have an amazing time! There are also some side trails along with the Spencer Adventure Trail which connects to additional Hamilton Conservation Areas including Crooks Hollow and Christie Lake.

Looking for More Adventures Along the Bruce Trail? Check These Out!
Your Essential Guide to the Best Waterfalls in Hamilton
These Are The Best Hiking Trails in Hamilton
Hiking Hamilton’s Borer’s Falls
Belfountain Conservation Area & the Cheltenham Badlands
Exploring the Beamer Memorial Conservation Area
Hiking Indian Head Cove, Tobermory Grotto & More in BPNP

Dundas Peak has changed a lot over the years, not just in regards to the trail but also the entire experience surrounding it. I’ve even had a few eye-opening experiences myself. While this is a beautiful area that should be visited at least once, it’s certainly not as zen and enjoyable as it was in previous years. I’ll discuss more later in this post.

Dundas Peak Hiking Route

The most common way to access the Dundas Peak hike is from the parking lot as you follow the Tews Falls Side Trail. After just a few minutes, you’ll come upon two lookout areas where you can admire Tew’s Falls, one of the best Hamilton waterfalls. This ribbon waterfall stands 41 metres tall and just 9 metres wide. Watch as the water from Logie’s Creek tumbles over the escarpment into the valley below. She’s easily accessible as there’s a great lookout platform to admire her from. Officially there is no access to the base of Tew Falls, however one could theoretically clamour upstream, though I wouldn’t recommend it. 

Afterwards, continue along the trail by following the blue Bruce Side Trail blazes. The hike is relatively easy with smooth terrain and not much elevation, though you will have some stairs to tackle! There is a fork in the trail, at one point where the left path will take you along the Glen Ferguson Side Trail. While it will also lead you to the Dundas Peak Lookout, it’s a more roundabout way so I recommend keeping to the right and following the escarpment.

You’ll know you’re getting close when an iron fence begins to appear. Follow the infamous barricade and you’ll eventually come upon the Dundas Peak lookout area. Afterwards, you can either retrace your steps to return to the parking lot or follow the aforementioned Glen Ferguson Side Trail to complete a loop back to Tew’s Falls before returning to your vehicle.

Lindz Enjoying the Views Behind the Fence at Dundas Peak

Dundas Peak Experience

As with any hike, make sure you plan ahead before you depart. It’s important to have proper hiking footwear, water, and all that jazz. I’d also recommend checking out the weather for Dundas Ontario as it would be a bummer to drive all the way to Dundas Peak to only be met with rain!

As with any lookout spot, inherent risks come with it. Dundas Peak offers glorious views from atop the escarpment and while many folks visited without any issues, there have been accidents in the past. While Google may say otherwise, The Spencer Gorge Conservation Area is open from sunrise to sunset. There is very little lighting in the area so unless it’s a full moon, visibility dissipates quickly in the dark. Be safe and hike during daylight hours only!

During my visits to the Dundas Peak, I’ve been able to carefully walk up to the edge and admire the views unobstructed. I have fond memories of sitting and enjoying the sunset as it dipped behind the horizon at a cozy spot close to the edge with a number of other folks. It was really peaceful, all of us from different walks of life just enjoying a moment in time gifted to us by Mother Nature.

Unfortunately, this is no longer the case. Due to the ill actions of others, the Hamilton Conservation Authority has chosen to deface the peak and has since erected a 4 foot tall black fence to keep visitors away from the edge. The intent is for safety purposes, however now visitors try to climb the fence in order to get the unobstructed views. We’ve already lost so much due to folks not being respectful of the natural wonders around us so let’s all do our part. We don’t need any more Dundas Peak death headlines nor any about hassling for our brave emergency responders because you wanted that epic photo.

Looking to dodge the crowds of Dundas Peak entirely?
Check out this lesser-known hike that’ll blow you away!

Personally, I have mixed feelings about the whole situation. Conservation authorities are meant to protect the areas that they oversee and to me, it seems like drilling into this beautiful spot for this man-made barrier isn’t doing that. However, many visitors don’t respect the rules and have fallen, injured themselves or even worse, have died. There really is no right answer, but as someone who was always careful and prepared during my visits, its disheartening to be punished by the actions of others. Alas, welcome to society and free will, I suppose!

Lindsay Overlooking Dundas Peak in 2019 Before the Fence Was Installed

Best Time to Visit Dundas Peak

No matter what time of the year you visit Dundas Peak, you’ll be blown away by the beautiful views. I’ve visited in every season and I have to say I’m torn.

Autumn is the best time to visit if your favourite fall activity is leaf-peeping. These vistas are absolutely incredible when sprinkled with amber and ruby leaves! While fall fluctuates each year, usually the best time to see the colours in full force is mid to late October. However, you’ll be contending with huge crowds – especially on weekends. Dundas Peak has only continued to grow in popularity. I visited on a random Thursday afternoon and was surprised to have 40+ people on the lookout as well – and this was a few years ago!

If the thought of crowds makes you cringe, then a winter visit is best for you. This is honestly my favourite time to hike and I guarantee you’ll only have to share the lookout with a handful of people. The views are just as magical when sprinkled with snow! You’ll also get a better glimpse of Lower Sydenham Falls thanks to the beautiful ice formations that come with freezing temperatures.

No matter when you hike the Dundas Peak trail, you’ll love the views from the trail. Plus the sunsets are always incredible from here! It’s a great hike with friends, family, and even solo. It really is a destination for all seasons! Aren’t the Dundas Peak fall colours just incredible?

Dundas Peak Reservations

As I mentioned earlier, visiting Dundas Peak has changed a lot over the years and continues to morph every year. For the foreseeable future, Dundas Peak and Webster’s Falls cannot be accessed together.

The Hamilton Conservation Authority established a reservation system to help contain the crowds during that awful time that we all wish to forget in 2020. As of 2024, reservations are only required daily during the peak fall colour season. Reservations are in 2 hour blocks and must be made a day in advance. Reservations can be booked here by selecting the ‘Spencer Gorge’ tab.

For Dundas Peak, it will cost visitors $26.00 for the vehicle and this includes the driver’s entry fee. There is a $5.00 fee for any additional passengers over 5 years of age in the vehicle. Parking for Dundas Peak can be found at 607 Harvest Road. It’s the same for Webster’s Falls but instead you will head to 28 Fallsview Road for parking.

While they are both a part of the Spencer Gorge Area, they are treated as separate entities. This can be a little disheartening, especially for those on a tighter budget who want to see both of these natural wonders. However as of 2024, the Hamilton Conservation Authority is offering a 4-hour pass that includes both Dundas Peak and Webster’s Falls for $37.00 which includes the driver’s entry fee. The extra $5.00 per person rate applies once again but this will save visitors some money.

INSIDER TIP: While it’s a downer to have to pay the $10 reservation fee (included in the pricing above), if you wish to explore more after your Dundas Peak visit, you can visit the Christie Lake Conservation Area for free! Just bring your reservation receipt and you can enjoy the area for the rest of the day.

Cherry Trees Behind Dundas City Hall

RELATED: If you’re a fan of craft beer, check out the guide to Hamilton’s breweries on Eat Local Ontario!

Find yourself in Dundas during the springtime? You’ll want to head to the City Hall building as behind it, you’ll find some gorgeous cherry trees. It’s one of the lesser-known spots to find these blooms so chances are you’ll have them all to yourself! For more locations on where to find cherry blossoms in Hamilton, check out my guide.