Dundas Peak

Next up in my little tour of Hamilton’s Waterfalls - Tew Falls.

This one - like Webster Falls - is part of the Spencer Gorge Conservation Area, in the town of Dundas (Greater Hamilton Area), in Southern Ontario.

The thing is, while both of these beautiful waterfalls are technically located in the same Conservation Area, it’s logistically more like visiting two different parks.

The areas hosting Tew Falls and Webster’s Falls are near each other - and used to be connected by a trail - but now they’re completely physically separate.

Most of the year, that’s not a big deal... but it can get expensive and annoying during the height of fall colours season - more on that in a bit, though.

The interesting thing about the Tew Falls side of the park is that the waterfall doesn’t actually seem to be the main attraction!

The trail that extends past the falls takes you out to Dundas Peak, which is one of the most famous scenic attractions in the area.

This is a lookout point on a cliff, with a sprawling, panoramic view of the city of Hamilton. Really nice any time of year, but EXTREMELY popular in the fall.

Our timing always seems to be off for getting a reservation at PEAK colours, but one of these years, we’ll get it together!

In the meantime, let us tell you everything you need to know about Tew Falls, Dundas Peak, and this section of the Spencer Gorge Conservation Area!

The Basics:

Location Name: Dundas Peak & Tew’s Falls
Address: 590 Harvest Road, Dundas, ON L9H 5K7
Website: Hamilton Conservation Authority - Spencer Gorge Conservation Area
Price HCA uses a pricing matrix across all their parks. See 2026 Admission and Fees for more details about the vehicle fee/admission fees, etc.
Reservations: Only available in the fall, when they’re required.
Season: Year-Round.

Logistics

Some basic info to help you plan your visit to Dundas Peak and Tew Falls...

Registration and Check In

Unlike some of the other Hamilton Conservation Authority areas, the Spencer Gorge Conservation Area - including the Dundas Peak/Tew Falls area, and the nearby Webster Falls area - feature gated parking.

Both have gatehouses, though they’re not necessarily staffed at all times.

Anyway, the registration / check in process you’ll go through depends on the time of year.

Most times of year, you can just show up. Pay your fee - or use you HCA Membership Card for free admission - go in, and you’re good.

Note: be sure to have a debit or credit card - they don’t accept cash. At the time of publication, the fees to visit are:

Per vehicle and driver: $16.50
Per passenger over 5 years of age: $5.50
Walk/bike in: $5.50

When there’s no staff on hand, there’s a pay machine.

One nice thing to note: Aside during “reservations season” (Sept/Oct), you can use your parking ticket from your visit to cover your parking at other HCA properties on that same day.

This is why I was saying that *most of the time* it’s not a big deal to visit both sections of Spencer Gorge - the parking ticket from one covers parking at the other, as well as nearby properties like Christie Lake Conservation Area, or pretty much any other Hamilton Conservation Authority property with paid parking.

Visiting in the Fall

Visiting during the peak fall colour season is a whole other kettle of fish.

First of all, you need to book a time slot in advance - these are 2 hour blocks.

By “in advance”, I mean that you CANNOT make a same day reservation, and they don’t accept walk-ins. If you’re not booked by the day before, you’re not going.

Beyond that, reservations - especially for weekends - can book out several days in advance.

Some other things to note:

1. If you’re looking to visit Tew Falls in addition to Dundas Peak at that time of year, that’s a separate reservation. They do have a 4 hour reservation available for visiting both areas, though.

2. The reservations are time and location specific, and non-transferable.

3. Even if you’re an HCA member, you’re required to make a reservation and pay the $10 reservation fee.

4. The earliest you can book your spot is 9 days before your visit, and you have to book it BEFORE midnight, the morning of your visit.

5. As of 2025, the fees for the fall 2 hour block reservations are:

Vehicle Fee: $11.00
Per Passenger Fee: $5.50
Reservation Fee: $10.00

For those looking to book the 4 hour spot to visit both sections, it’s an additional $11 vehicle fee.

6. The thing about parking tickets allowing you into other HCA properties comes with the caveat that it doesn’t work for any property that is requiring reservations at the time.

That matters both in the sense that parking at either Spencer Gorge location won’t also cover parking for the other one during that time... but also paying at any other HCA property won’t let you into either Spencer Gorge property.

That said, you can use your reserved Spencer Gorge parking ticket to get into non-reserveable properties - like Devil's Punchbowl Waterfall & Conservation Area - that same day.

Parking

The parking lot is right after the gate, and it’s pretty big.

Most times of year - when it’s first come, first served - you WILL NOT have a hard time finding parking there.

As with Tiffany Falls and Sherman Falls, this parking area is definitely geared to passenger vehicles.

It’s not suitable for RVs, trailers, etc, and buses aren’t permitted.

Washrooms

There are sometimes a few porta potties in the parking lot, but those are the only washroom facilities on site. I noticed them there in the fall, but they were removed by winter.

Accessibility

Generally speaking, this is not a very accessible trail. The first few times we went, we had no idea that there was an accessible route in at all - it’s not obvious!

So, getting from the parking lot involves a couple steep inclines/declines, before you get to the little footbridge that’s right before the first viewing platform.

As it turns out, there’s a separate parking lot with a few accessible parking spots, next to the road.

Basically, you’d pass the gate, turn around, go to exit the park... and then turn right into the accessible lot, before actually getting back to the road.

The thing is... that lot tends to be gated. It’s only open at the times that the gate is actually staffed, which isn’t really all that often, outside of peak season. That’s... not super accessible, IMHO.

Anyway, that lot has more of a straight shot path to that footbridge, nowhere near the steepness of the main path. Wide, flat, well-packed trail.

The footbridge takes you to an open area, and the first viewing platform... and that’s as far as wheelchair access goes.

To get to the actual trail to Dundas Peak, you’ll need to go up a pretty steep set of stairs. Up there, the trail itself is pretty rough in spots, with some steep inclines and declines.

If you’re really adventurous, it CAN be done in a boot or with a cane - I’ve done it... but the payoff doesn’t really live up to the difficulty, if you’ve got limited mobility.

Maps and Signage

Maps are available at the gate, when staffed - we also saw a similar map on a sign along the way.

It's a decent map - high contrast, colour coded, with directionality, stairs, scenic outlooks, etc marked.

Pets

Dogs are allowed, but have to be kept on a leash at all times.

Owners are expected to pick up after their dog, and properly dispose of the droppings.

Also: we didn’t see any garbage cans or poop baggie dispensers on site, so be sure to plan ahead and pack it out!

Connectivity

Dundas Peak is right in the city of Hamilton. As such, it has the same level of cell phone reception you can generally expect around the city.

That is to say, we’ve never had any connectivity issues at Dundas Peak, at all.

Picnic Area

There isn’t really a good picnic area at Dundas Peak / Tew Falls, aside from a bit of sprawling grass next to the parking lot.

A sign there - at the parking lot - advises visitors to head to Christie Lake Conservation Area to enjoy family picnics.

Alternatively, there are some picnic tables at the other section of Spencer Gorge Conservation Area - around Webster Falls.

Park Store

There is no park store at Spencer Gorge Conservation Area.

Visitor Centre

There is no visitor centre at Spencer Gorge Conservation Area.

Miscellaneous

A few random factoids and such:

Tew’s Falls Waterfall

Tews Falls is a ribbon waterfall that’s 41 metres tall - the tallest waterfall in the Hamilton area. For reference, Niagara Falls is 50-57 metres tall.

There’s no real view of it from the parking lot side of the gorge, but it’s just a short walk from there to the two viewing platforms on the other side.

There is no access to the base of the falls or the gorge area, so those viewing platforms are as good as it gets!

Anyway, Tew Falls is located on Logie’s Creek. It’s usually about 10 metres wide, but the flow can vary pretty wildly between the seasons.

Like most waterfalls, spring - especially right after the snow thaws - and after big rain storms is the best time to view the falls.

Trail Closure

Our first time visiting Dundas Peak, we weren’t really sure where to go, so we wandered.

Going to the right of the Porta Potties will take you partway along a cute trail - Webster Falls Side Trail - that once went across private property, to Webster’s Fall.

As we reached the stairs, it was all gated off - I’m not sure when that happened, but it seems to be a permanent closure.

To this day, though, that trail shows up on some of the maps for the Conservation Area.

Entertainment and Activity

Some basic info on the things you can do while visiting the Tews Falls section of Spencer Gorge Conservation Area.

Hiking

Since the hiking trail to Webster Falls is now off-limits, there’s really one option for hiking at this section of the Spencer Gorge Conservation area... sort of.

There’s a trail that goes from the parking lot, around the top of Webster Falls, and up some stairs before splitting into a larger loop of a trail.

It’s known as a few things - Tews Falls Lookout Trail and Dundas Peak Trail are what it’s popularly known as.

Officially, it’s two side trails to the Bruce Trail: The Tew Falls Side Trail, and the Glen Ferguson Side Trail.

Tew Falls Side Trail

This trail starts out at the far end of the parking lot, near the end loop with the (seasonal) Porta Potties.

You walk along the top of the gorge - which is fenced, and really doesn’t have a view through the trees.

Once you pass the parking lot, you go down a steep incline, over a foot bridge (Logie’s Creek - the top of Tews Falls), past the first viewing platform and up some stairs.

Pretty early on, a set of stairs down to the right takes you to the second viewing platform, which is nice to check out.

Spencer Gorge encourages people to keep right when the trail splits, as the loop is intended to be one-way.

I’m not sure if this is a holdover from social distancing, or if it’s always been this way - we hadn’t been to the trail prior to 2020.

Anyway, staying to the right keeps you on the Tew Falls Side Trail

The trail continues up and down some relatively minor inclines and declines, and a few more strenuous ones. It’s a pretty standard Niagara Escarpment trail for this area.

Caveat: I did this trail when I was early on in the start of my tendon recovery, and it was HARD for me! Your milage may vary!

There aren’t a TON of views of the gorge along the way, at least not without going off trail (and you’re strongly encouraged NOT to.)

About 1 km from the little bridge over Logies Creek, you’ll come to the turn off to Dundas Peak - it’s a short downhill trail to your right.

Apparently at some point you could actually sit on the side of the cliff - I’ve seen some SCARY photos! - but it’s since been gated up.

Anyway, on a clear day, you can see REALLY far from this lookout point - out across Dundas Valley and most of the city of Hamilton.

I think I could even make out Hamilton Harbour!

Anyway, after a short hike back up hill and onto the trail loop, you can either go right to make your way to the Bruce Trail Main Trail, or go left to head back towards the parking lot, along the Glen Ferguson Side Trail.

Glen Ferguson Side Trail

This trail is just under 1 km long, before it connects back up with the Tew Falls Side Trail. (And just over ½ km from there, to get back to the parking lot).

This leg of the trail is further away from the edge of the escarpment, and MUCH easier. Flatter, more even ... less scenic.

It’s also less shaded by tree cover, so - if you’re someone who’s going to overheat on the first leg - definitely something to keep in mind!

Anyway, really not a lot to say about this part of the trail. It’s a “get to where you’re going” trail, rather than a destination or attraction trail itself.

Biking

Biking isn’t allowed on the Bruce Trail, and the trail to Dundas Peak really isn’t suitable for biking on anyway.

Christie Lake Conservation Area, near by, has something like 10 km of single track mountain biking trails, though - much better option for cycling!

Swimming

There is no access to the gorge, and visiting the bottom of Tew Falls is prohibited. Anything upstream is either gross looking water, dangerous, or both.

So, there really aren’t any swimming opportunities at Tews Falls - or Webster Falls. Once again, your best bet is to head over to Christie Lake Conservation Area.

Birding, Wildlife, and Nature

We haven’t seen a TON of variety of birds over the course of our visits to Tews Falls and Dundas Peak. Mostly just American Crow, Black-Capped-Chickadees, Blue Jays, and the odd Northern Cardinal.

BUT!

This one time when we walked all the way out to Dundas Peak, there were several Turkey Vultures flying BELOW us.

As in, we looked down over the barrier at Dundas Peak, and were looking down over the backs of Turkey Vultures flying directly below us.

Sometimes they’d land in the trees immediately below us - it was definitely a unique experience!

Anyway, apparently the area gets a lot of raptors during fall migration as well.

Boating

There aren’t any boating or paddling opportunities at Spencer Gorge Conservation Area.

Fishing

There are no fishing opportunities at Spencer Gorge Conservation Area.

Educational & Cultural Opportunities

We haven’t seen any kind of educational programming scheduled for Spencer Gorge Conservation Area, but there are at least a couple of educational signs on site.

The ones I’ve noticed are one about Tews Falls itself, and another information panel on the geology of the area.

Winter Activities

The trails around Tews Falls and Dundas Peak are not maintained in the winter. During one visit this season, I had to trudge through knee-deep snow to get from the parking lot to the actual trail!

Tews Falls isn’t as impressive in the winter as I would have hoped. Between light flow and the sheer height of it, it never seems to accumulate the full cascade of ice like many other falls do.

Every time I’ve seen it in winter, it’s been more like a fringe of ice along the top, and some build up below. Everything that may have formed between would break off.

Niantic Games

There are a handful of Niantic game stops scattered between the parking lot and Dundas Peak itself.

If you’re looking to play Pokemon Go, Ingress, etc... you’re better off going to the other section of Spencer Gorge Conservation Area, as it has many more Pokestops, Pokemon Go gyms, Ingress Portals, etc.

Final Thoughts

On one hand, Dundas Peak is known to be epic during fall colours season, and is likely popular for a good reason.

We always seem to be out of town when the colours hit JUST right, and tend to end up visiting after peak, when everything is kind of brown. So, I can’t speak firsthand about that.

In general, Tews Falls - being the tallest in the area - is one waterfall that you should see at least once, and it’s a must-see for any tour of Hamilton’s Waterfalls.

After you’ve seen it once, though? I don’t know, there are a lot of much more gorgeous waterfalls in Hamilton. After the “see it to check it off the list” visit, it drops on our priority list.

The trail itself is nice enough, but it is a lot of work to get to one specific view. As someone who has to budget their mobility? I’d make that effort if we can time it right in the future, but for me, I think Dundas Peak is a “one and done”, beyond that.

Nice enough, but there are easier trails with a better payoff for the effort, IMHO. Porter really liked the trail, but he’s a lot more able-bodied, so those inclines didn’t get to him!

Looking DOWN over Turkey Vultures flying around was very cool, though!

More Hamilton Waterfalls

Interested in exploring more of the City of Waterfalls? Here are more posts about waterfalls in the City of Hamilton (and surrounding area!):

Albion Falls
Devil's Punchbowl Waterfall & Conservation Area
Felker's Falls
Little Davis Falls
Sherman Falls
Smokey Hollow Falls
Tiffany Falls
Webster Falls & Spencer Gorge Conservation Area

Looking to go even further for your waterfalling adventure? Check out our larger Ontario Waterfalls for some waterfall viewing roadtrip inspiration!