Ready to feel the earth under your feet and the breeze in your hair? Read our complete guide to Ancaster’s best hiking and biking trails and enjoy Ancaster’s outdoor playground to its fullest this fall.
We’re lucky to live with the Niagara Escarpment and the waterfall capital of the world in our backyard. Between the 100+ waterfalls, conservation areas, waterfront trails, and other hike and biking options, you have your pick of natural adventures in Ancaster and the best hiking trails Hamilton offers.
As your hosts at The Barracks Inn, we’ve experienced it all and love to share our neck of the woods with others. Read our curated guide to some of the best hiking and biking trails near Ancaster so you can plan a day or weekend trip to remember!
#1: Tiffany Falls & Sherman Falls
This 3.7 km trail is open year-round and takes around 1 hour to complete. You’ll enjoy visiting not one but two waterfalls along this short, moderately difficult forested trail.
Tiffany Falls is a cascading 21-metre drop into a lush ravine, while Sherman Falls, commonly nicknamed “Fairy Falls,” has a 17-metre veil of water that helps it live up to its whimsical name.
Parking & Accessibility
These Ancaster trails host a mix of terrain, with well-maintained paths, rocky sections, and wooden staircases.
Paid parking is available off Wilson St. E.
#2: Dundas Valley Conservation Area
The Dundas Valley Conservation Area is an impressive 40-kilometre trail system of rich forests, streams, and a network of trails for you to enjoy. Though the trails are complex, they centre around the Main Loop Trail for simple navigation and exploration.
The Main Loop is a moderately challenging route well-traveled by hikers and birdwatchers. It intersects with the Bruce Trail and the Hamilton-Brantford Rail Trail. The wildlife is beautiful on these Hamilton hikes, but the Hermitage Ruins of a 19th-century stone mansion add an exciting, historical touch to your journey.
Parking & Accessibility
- The Main Loop Hamilton trail is moderate to difficult, with some relatively flat areas mixed with rooted paths and hills.
- The Dundas Valley Conservation Area is massive, and there are plenty of different access points that include parking:
- Main Parking Lot: 650 Governors Road, Dundas, ON
- Hermitage: 621 Sulphur Springs Road, Dundas, ON
- Artaban Road: 917 Artaban Road, Dundas, ON
- Merrick: 380 Lower Lions Club Road, Ancaster, ON
- Monarch: 855 Old Dundas Road, Dundas, ON
#3: Eramosa Karst Conservation Area
Geology lovers can enjoy this special trail near Ancaster, one of our favourite Hamilton, Ontario hiking trails. The Eramosa Karst Conservation Area has boardwalks, bridges, trails, caves, sinkholes, and unique geological rock formations that give the park its name. While there’s plenty to see above ground, one standout feature is below the surface—a 335-metre cave, the tenth largest in Ontario.
Parking & Accessibility
With over 4 kilometres of trails, you can choose from easy to moderate-difficulty hikes along the Karst Features Trail, Meadows Trail, or Bobolink Trail.
Paid parking is readily available at the on-site parking lot.
#4: Hamilton Waterfront Trail
The Hamilton Waterfront Trail is a popular spot for walkers, hikers, and bikers alike, with a 7.5-kilometre path weaving around the shore of Lake Ontario. You get a little bit of everything on the waterfront, from city skylines to forested areas and lakefront views, with one of the best biking trails Hamilton offers.
The trail divides into 2 sections: the Hamilton Waterfront Trail and the Hamilton Recreation Beach Trail.
Start on the western side and enjoy the marsh wildlife at Princess Point and Cootes Paradise, moving towards Bayfront Park and Pier 4 Park. Finish your excursion with some history at the Hamilton Waterfront Trust’s Discovery Centre, an interactive science museum, and the HMCS Haida National Historic Site, a decommissioned Canadian naval destroyer.
Parking & Accessibility
The trails are almost exclusively off-road, 6 metres wide, and paved with smooth asphalt. Biking or hiking is easy on this wide, stable surface, and rollerbladers love it.
Parking is free at Hamilton Waterfront and for a small fee at Princess Point.
#5: Chedoke Radial Trail
This trail is an absolute dream for cyclists and hikers alike. What was once an old railway line has transformed into a 5-kilometre path through the heart of Hamilton. It’s part of the famous Bruce Trail, beginning at Hillcrest Avenue and running from the Chedoke Golf Course to Scenic Drive before linking up with the Hamilton Region Conservation Authority Trail.
The trail stops at several parks and natural areas for plenty of beautiful rest breaks along your journey through Ancaster walking trails.
Parking & Accessibility
This trail is easily accessible for strollers and wheelchairs, though a 2% to 5% slope makes it a more challenging trek.
Parking is free at the Dundurn Stairs entrance or paid at the Chedoke Golf Course.
#6: Ancaster Meadowlands Park
If you’re looking for a quick break from the day-to-day, Ancaster Meadowlands Park has a simple 1-kilometre trail for all-level cyclists. Located in the heart of Ancaster, this paved path weaves through open meadows for a quick walk, bike, or cross-country skiing in the winter.
Parking & Accessibility
Flat, paved paths make for a leisurely ride or walk for all ages and abilities.
There’s no shortage of free parking around the Meadowlands Park area.
The Barracks Inn—Boutique Hotel in Hamilton & Ancaster
After a long, fun day of exploring some Hamilton and Ancaster trails, put your feet up with a stay at The Barracks Inn. Our boutique hotel is ready to host you for a relaxing night to recharge your batteries after you’re done exploring some of the best hiking trails Ancaster offers you.
We’re also happy to recommend local trails, bike rentals, and other local fun—let us help you plan your next Ancaster adventure.
Book your stay today to start planning your next trail day or weekend and enjoy all Ancaster and Hamilton have to offer!