Canadian Trails
Dundas Valley Conservation Area, Ont.
After a long year on the roads, a good trail can cure the ailments of any runner. Thanks to the Greenbelt and the Niagara Escarpment, there’s no shortage of escape routes in south-central Ontario. One of the best, the Dundas Valley Conservation Area, sits just outside of Hamilton and is a hidden gem with over 40 kilometres of trail.
From the main parking lot, it’s a short stroll to the visitors’ centre, which also serves as the launching point for most of the trails. There’s a bonus 32k rail trail that passes behind the antique railcar, running from Hamilton to Brantford, providing a gentle course for runners looking to get in some distance off the beaten path. For the historically inclined, the path approximates one of General Isaac Brock ’s routes during the War of 1812.
The key section in Dundas Valley is called t he “Main Loop,” measuring about 3 . 4k. The loop is also part of the Bruce Trail, so really, you’re passing through part of almost 900 kilometres of Ontario’s finest trails.
The loop is wide and welcoming, with a gentle, well-groomed forest f loor that offers little in the way of potential hazards.
The real fun is in the loop’s arterial routes. The Heritage Trail, for example, offers two paths, each with its own hidden treasure.
The fork on the right leads out toward the Ancaster Mill, and is popular with hikers and walkers heading into the trail system from the south. The fork on the left will bring you to Canterbury Falls, a serene waterfall with a majestic view. Be warned: if you’re uneasy with heights, that fork has a fair amount of single track with uneven footing that overlooks a steep drop into the valley below.
Farther north off the Main Loop lies the Monarch Trail, a 5.3k stretch of gravel and rolling hills. The highlight is Groundhog Hill, which has a bench and offers some of the best views in the park, along with its own 1.6k single track trail.
Really that’s the magic of Dundas Valley; while the Main Loop offers a straightforward jumping-off point, it’s all the additional trails that lead off from it that will allow you to create a unique day on the trails of your own. Head west into the Headwaters
Trail for a 10k journey through meadows and streams, and then the McCormack Trail heads north for 7.5k to reconnect with the Bruce Trail and passes through pastures and woodlots. If you’re just looking for a gentle walk in the woods, the Spring Creek Trail winds its way into the town of Dundas and attracts hikers of all ages.
Dundas Valley isn’t the most challenging trail system in Canada; a recent run through a few of the trails topped out at 220 m of elevation. But outside of the Main Loop, there’s very little f lat surface, and the trail network offers a run that’s scenic, somewhat challenging and easy on the feet.