When I mention a hike on the Smokey Hollow Waterfall section, everyone always asks, “Where is that?” Yet this scenic part of the Bruce Trail is only about a 45-minute drive from Toronto and is one of my favourites.
In my opinion, this trail’s incredible fall colours, waterfall, and cascading stream make it one of the best autumn day hikes in Ontario, although it can be hiked year-round.
This is a fun, short hike with lots of stairs, but overall is relatively suitable for families with kids and more experienced hikers.
Smokey Hollow Trail Details and Information
Route: The main trail starts near Waterdown; however, I start from Kerncliffe Park in Burlington for a longer hike. AllTrails rated this hike 4.6 / 5.0
Length: 6.8 km; however, if starting from Kerncliffe Park is a 15 km hike
Difficulty: moderate, lots of stairs and a few hills
Elevation Gain: 364 metres
Suitable for: families with kids, experienced hikers, and dogs on a leash
Trailhead Location: AllTrails map to Smokey Hollow Trailhead. Bruce Trail map: Waterdown 9.
Things to Know Before You Go
Go Early: The parking lot at Mill Road South can get very busy on weekends, so it is best to go early to avoid the crowds.
Dogs: Are permitted on the trail, provided they are on a leash
Cost: There is no charge for parking or hiking this trail
Watch the Weather: During the winter or following a rain storm, the trail can be muddy and slippery
Getting to the Smokey Hollow Trailhead
Waterdown Parking. City of Hamilton: The starting point is from a small parking lot on the west side of Mill Street (which becomes Waterdown Road) next to Smokey Hollow Falls. No charge for parking, and there is no washroom. Most people start here.
The second of the parking areas is another popular starting location on Snake Road. Can be accessed via Highway 403, Exit Highway 6, and head north to Plains Road, follow until reaching Hillsdale Road, which becomes Snake Road.
Kerncliffe Park, Burlington: If you want a longer hike, take the QEW from Toronto and exit at Brant Street North. Then an immediate left turn on the North Service Road, which you follow for 1 km, and turn right on Kerns Road for 2.3 km to Kerncliffe Park, where there is free parking. Go in the early morning (before 10 a.m.) to find a spot.
Smokey Hollow Waterfall Hike along Grindstone Creek
There is a viewing platform to view the waterfalls at Smokey Hollow, the site of a former mill. Goes by Smokey Hollow Falls, Waterdown Falls, and Great Falls. Once an industrial area where wood-burning stoves and steam power from the local sawmill created a lot of smoke, thus the name.
Besides the observation platform, you can get great views of the creek and falls as you walk along the ridge to the trail.
Walk carefully down a set of wooden steps heading down to Grindstone Creek. From this point, you get a terrific view of the falls and can expect to see a few people taking pictures. The amount of water going over the falls varies throughout the year.
Note: There was a notice here advising people to stay on the trail. However, during my numerous walks here, there are always some trying to get the perfect photo from the base of the falls.
Follow the Waterdown Trail for the next 2 kilometres or so is a rugged footpath up and down short steep hills and stairways with Grindstone Creek cascading through the large boulders on your right. When reaching the bottom of the stairs, there is a plaque about the area.
You will be following the white blazes of the Bruce Trail, although the route is quite obvious. It does level off after a while, but you are still walking along the creek and in hardwood forests.
On your left, you will see the blue blazes for the trailhead of the 1.4 km Norman Pearson Side Trail. Norman was a founder of the Bruce Trail, and this trail goes up the side of the hill and loops around to join the McNally Side Trail.
One year, while hiking along Grindstone Creek, I even saw hundreds of large fish attempting to swim up the creek, surprisingly in October.
The trail then leaves the creek and heads uphill for a bit before returning to the creek and crossing Grindstone Creek on a wooden bridge. Once across the creek, you again head up a small rise as the trail follows the shores of a former pond, currently more of a marshland.
You are now walking through a leafy forest, and the trees here are vivid orange and bright red with a few yellow colours as the autumn leaves are ablaze with colour.
I usually follow the trail to the end of the marsh, where there are some logs to sit on for our lunch stop. Most hikers go up the hill to the right and continue before the trail arrives at the parking lot on Snake Road.
I return along the same route, but you will not be disappointed, as when walking up with Grindstone Creek on your left, it takes on an entirely different look, although it is a bit of a workout.
Starting from Kerncliffe Park
To extend the hike to 15 km, I start from Kerncliffe Park in Burlington. Site of a former quarry if you have extra time, explore its trails. There is a portable toilet next to the parking lot.
I walk up the hill to the top, where I can join the main Bruce Trail and follow the white blazes through the forest. At one point, you can stop along the top of the Niagara Escarpment and view the Dundas Valley, Hamilton, and Lake Ontario.
Follow the trail until reaching the trail markers on the edge of Waterdown. A short walk through a residential area and down a hill with superb views brings you to Mill Road and Smokey Hollow.
Bruce Trail
The Bruce Trail is Ontario’s premier hiking route, an 843 km (524 miles) hiking route running along the Niagara Escarpment from Niagara (Queenston Heights) to Tobermory on Georgian Bay in Ontario, Canada, while crossing both public and private lands.
Best Time to Visit Smokey Hollow
The best time to visit is in early October to see the autumn colours, while the trail is accessible any time of year.
Essentials to Bring
Osprey Daypack – for essential items you need while hiking
Trail Buddy Hiking Poles – with all the stairs and hills, I use a pair of hiking poles for support
Sun Hat – protect yourself from the sun with this wide-brimmed waterproof hat
Water bottle – Lifestraw Go Series
Hiking shoes – Oboz low-cut hiking shoes
Other Hikes near Smokey Hollow
There is great hiking just north of Toronto in Mono Cliffs Provincial Park
Also along the Bruce Trail is the Forks of the Credit Provincial Park, with hiking trails
Rouge National Urban Park has hikes for everyone. Provincial Parks within an easy drive of Toronto.
Final Thoughts on Smokey Hollow Waterfall Trail
This is a great section of the Bruce Trail and a hike I do every year, and I never tire of it. I love to see a fast-flowing waterfall and then follow the creek as it flows over giant boulders. Meanwhile, I am surrounded by a colourful forest. What is not to love?
