An awesome adventure in your own backyard of... Hamilton, Ontario?

eyetothestars (25)in #travel • 6 years ago (edited)

Good day fellow Steemians,

Obviously if you find yourself scouring through the travel and adventure section of Steemit, it is safe to say you are looking to live it up and get out in the world for some well needed life experience. While travelling the world is a life altering and humble experience. I often tell my friends that there is so much to see and do in your own backyard. I always intended to get to know where I grew up before I took my adventures abroad to get a sense of what treasures may behold only mere miles from where you live.

This does not apply to solely me as each and everyone of you reading this no matter where you live have so much around you if you just walk out that front door.

This brings me to my location on earth for the better part of my life. Southern Ontario, Canada! More specific in this post Hamilton, Ontario !

Locally, Hamilton has got a bad rap for many years among the area and communities surrounding it. But as of late it is seeing a resurgence of culture and lifestyle. However, this post is more geared to the natural aspect of Hamilton. Did you know Hamilton has been dubbed THE WATERFALL CAPITAL OF THE WORLD?? Yes you read that correctly. The greater Hamilton region is home to the better part of 140 plus waterfalls. Many ranging in size, but a good portion of them pushing over 50 feet in length.

I would like to propose a daily adventure for those who are in the area for sightseeing majestic waterfalls and I will even toss in some good places to grab a bite to eat. This adventure depending on how you want to play it could be for a full day or if you just want to "speed date" the waterfalls. This option exists as well.

To start your adventure you would be visiting two very impressive waterfalls within close vicinity of each other, Webster's and Tews falls.

Both have parking lots that you can access the top views of the waterfalls within a 5 minute walk to. Both will have to pay for parking depending on your length of stay. If you want to visit Tews you will have to drive down the street for 2 minutes. Or there is a pathway from Webster's to Tews along the top that takes about 20 minutes round trip. Or for the more adventurous. There is a beautiful trail that takes you from the base of Webster's to Tews as well. If you decide on taking the base trail there is a smaller waterfall on the way to Tews waterfall. If you plan on hiking the trail, this can be a day trip on its own but the feeling you get at the base of Tews makes you feel like you are miles away from home. The park where Webster's is located is perfect for a picnic. Stone built bridges and willow trees adorn the park setting with the park nestled up on the Niagara escarpment just over the quaint little town of Dundas, Ontario.

Webster's falls
Webster's Falls is 72 ft high and 98 feet wide!

The view along the base trail

The view as you walk from Webster's falls to Tews falls on the top

The Park where Webster's falls is (that was the least amount of flow I had ever seen)

Tews falls from the top view. Its height? A whopping 135 feet!

Little waterfall on the base trail on the way up to Tews waterfall base. During the spring time the rapids of the creek/river become very turbulent as you can see in one of the pictures below.

Who needs a fridge for when you get to the base of Tews to reward yourself with a Corona (All garbage went back into my knapsack ;) )

It is worth the hike to the base of Tews simply for this breathtaking view.

So now if you decided on a full day at Webster's and Tews with the trail or decided on a quick top view of them then you still have time to adventure on!

Your next waterfall will be Tiffany falls. To get there from Webster's you also get to enjoy a nice quick drive through the town of Dundas as you head up into the immaculate town of Ancaster. Nestled just off the road into Ancaster is a quick 10 minute trail (great for beginners) that leads you to the 68 foot Tiffany falls. Snap a couple pictures and take it in and you are off on the road again.

Tiffany Falls

A 2 minute drive away you will find Sherman falls. The best part about this waterfall journey is each of them have their varied uniqueness. When you picture a step down, cascading waterfall it doesn't get any better than Sherman Falls. It is a 5 minute walk from a quiet road with a very easy trail to get you to the base. (Fun fact I noticed the horror movie "IT" filmed a scene here from the trail).

Sherman Falls is 66 feet high!

Now if you are like me you would be very hungry at this moment. If you did not decide to do the hike you would be able to maintain a decent fashionable presence I would recommend taking in the Ancaster Old Mill for lunch. Situated minutes from Sherman falls. You can enjoy your meal over a small waterfall just outside the windows of the restaurant. Truly a visually stimulating meal. Prices are on the higher end but life is short in my opinion and it just compliments the days theme of rushing water. But if this is not your style there are plenty of trendy pubs in Ancaster.

The Ancaster Old mill's waterfall.

Once you are all refueled then you will take a little longer jaunt then you are used to for the days festivities but in reality not that far. As you scoot down the Lincoln Alexander Parkway towards the end of the mountain you will hop off and only a few minutes down the road you will find my personal fave...Albion falls!

Now there have been more and more signs and blockades preventing people from accessing the base but in my opinion as long as you are cautious I have been able to get my 75 year old father down with no problem to survey the falls from a more bottom/up view.

I just love all the rock crevasse's protruding creating a myriad of cascading water.

Albion Falls is 62 feet in length and 59 feet wide.

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From there you head over only 5 minutes to Devils Punchbowl. This one can be hit or miss with waterflow but it is not a big deal as it is not out of the way at all. There is also a quick and paved path leading to the waterfall with a spectacular view over the city and Lake Ontario.

Devils Punchbowl is 121 feet long

So...there you have it! A fun filled day taking in the magic and wonder of nature as it surrounds the city. A couple notable waterfalls if you want to add to the list would be Chedoke Waterfall which you would boot over to in between Webster's/Tews and Tiffany falls. It is also a great waterfall but I find it has similar attributes to the other ones I listed and if you are on a time budget the adventure I listed flows best (pun intended) with also an easy, scenic drive.

Chedoke Falls