About this hike: This hike explores the central portion of the Iroquoia section of the Bruce Trail, combining escarpment forests, panoramic viewpoints, rail-trail corridors, waterfalls, and three key side trails that form part of the Iroquoia Side Trails Challenge. The route follows a mix of Bruce Trail main trail and side trail sections through the Chedoke and Iroquoia Heights areas before continuing west toward Tiffany Falls and returning to complete a loop.
Highlights include the scenic Robert MacLaren Side Trail, the former rail corridor of the Iroquoia Heights Side Trail, and a visit to Tiffany Falls, one of the best-known waterfalls along the Hamilton escarpment. Along the way we will enjoy several viewpoints overlooking Hamilton, Dundas, and Lake Ontario while traversing mixed forest and escarpment terrain.
This route has been designed to create a more complete hiking experience while efficiently completing several portions of the Side Trail Challenge in a single outing.
Side Trails Completed:
Robert MacLaren Side Trail
Iroquoia Heights Side Trail
Tiffany Falls Side Trail
These trails are listed in the Iroquoia Side Trails Challenge and are located within Maps 7 and 8 of the Bruce Trail Reference.
Hike leader: Brandon Correia
Contact: brandoncorreia8240@gmail.com | 519-500-2861
About the leader: Brandon has been actively hiking with the GVTA and Bruce Trail organizations since 2022 and enjoys intermediate to longer distance hikes, most specifically on the GVT and Bruce Trail.
About this series of hikes: Join Brandon on this Iroquoia Side Trails Badge Series. In this series of 5 hikes, we will complete the Iroquoia Bruce Trail Side Trails Challenge. Once the challenge is over, we can apply for a badge, more details on the challenge can be found here: SIDE TRAIL CHALLENGE BADGE - Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club.
More detail on future hikes to be posted shortly. Feel free to join all 5 hikes or just the ones you want. Hikes will have varied distances and terrains.
Tentative dates of future hikes:
Sept 26 – Hike #4 Dundas Valley
Nov 21 – Hike #5 Mount Nemo to Crawford Lake
Where: Hamilton area
Length: ~ 14 km
Category: Loop
Pace and duration: Medium – 3.5-4 km/hr. About 4 hours
Hike level: Intermediate (2). Terrain consists of escarpment trails, forest paths, rail-trail sections, some rocky and uneven footing, and moderate elevation gain and loss associated with the Niagara Escarpment.
Parking & Departure: Meet at 8:15 am at the Chedoke Golf Club parking lot, (43.246205, -79.906935). We will depart promptly at 8:30 am.
Directions: Please use your favourite GPS app to obtain directions.
What to wear and bring: Please bring plenty of water (at least 2 litres), snacks, and weather-appropriate clothing. Hiking boots or sturdy trail footwear are strongly recommended due to the potential for uneven and rocky surfaces. Depending on the weather, sunscreen, bug spray, rain gear, and hiking poles may be useful.
Sorry, no dogs on GVTA hikes with the exception of certified service dogs.
ALL ARE WELCOME ON OUR HIKES. Membership is encouraged as it helps to support our trails, $30 per household. To become a member please go to:
https://www.gvta.on.ca/Membership.
