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River

Chedoke Creek

Class

Plunge

Size

Medium

Visitability

Average

Accessibility

Free

Activity

Quiet

Walk Time

5min

Trail

Difficult

Gorge Access

Very Difficult

Other Trails

few

County

Hamilton

Exit Hwy 403 at the Lincoln Alexander Parkway in Hamilton and go east to Garth St. Follow Garth St north for 2 km and turn left on Denlow Ave. Follow this street to Scenic Dr. The falls are hidden in a green space on the right side of Scenic Dr. You can't park on this street, so continue west and find parking on a side street, like Balfour Drive. Walk to the concrete railing along Scenic Dr and look down on the falls. The view from the base of the falls is much better, but is unfortunately very difficult to access (see description).

Settlement

Hamilton

NTS Map

30 M/4

Easting

589257

Northing

4788256

UTM Zone

This is a surprisingly large falls. Unfortunately, you can see very little of it from the road crossing immediately above its crest. In fact, if you aren't driving with your window open and the stereo off, you might not even know this waterfall was here. This is probably the least-known waterfall in Hamilton. The creek emerges from a culvert below a high concrete retaining wall protecting the road above from erosion. This concrete wall is really the only thing preventing this waterfall from being among the prettiest along the Niagara Escarpment. The falls has a beautiful, near-vertical fall to a nice plunge pool, which at times, can be a beautiful greeny-blue colour.

The view from Scenic Dr is poor, and the best way to visit the falls is at its base. Unfortunately, reaching the base of this waterfall is difficult, and there is a degree of danger. Children and the elderly should not accompany you to the base of this waterfall. There are two methods of approaching the falls. The first method is quicker, but fairly dangerous due to steep slopes. Look for a break in the fenceline along Scenic Dr, walk through, and look for a safe place to descend into the gorge. You should expect to get a little muddy while scrambling down the weakly marked path over the bedrock. Use caution here! While this descent is not ridiculously dangerous, the rock slopes are steep and may be slippery. As always, don't attempt anything that looks too dangerous to you, regardless of what someone else tells you. Note that Chedoke Falls (East) is visible on your way down to the base of this waterfall.

The second method to the bottom of Chedoke Falls from Hillcrest Ave is just as challenging, though not as dangerous. From the Scenic Drive area, return to Garth St and turn north. Garth street becomes Beckett Dr. Go north on Beckett Dr. down the Niagara Escarpment and turn left on Aberdeen Dr. Follow Aberdeen to Dundurn St. Turn left on Dundurn and follow it to the end, or turn on to Hillcrest Avenue. A short sidewalk leads behind the houses on Hillcrest Ave and connects to the Chedoke Radial Trail. Turn right on the trail and walk about 50 m to a trail leading into the woods to the left. The trail branches out in the forest: keep to the right, but do not leave the forest. The trail winds its way past the lower falls. From here, you need to pick your way up the base of the valley. The one-way trip is about 20 minutes in length, but you will also be treated to the lower falls.

This waterfall is featured in the print version of "Waterfalls of Ontario.