5 Epic Hamilton Waterfalls in Winter You Must See Frozen

Hamilton, Ontario might be the “City of Waterfalls” and it’s incredible to see these Hamilton waterfalls in winter. With over 100 cascades and waterfalls, Hamilton is the waterfall capital of the world. I’m also declaring Hamilton to be the frozen waterfall capital of the world, too.

In the winter, many of these 130+ waterfalls transform into a frigid, icy landscape. Massive clusters of gigantic icicles dangle from the escarpment, suspended in midair until the spring thaw.

If you aren’t visiting during the winter, here’s my list of the 10+ best waterfalls in Hamilton to view in all seasons. However, these are the best Hamilton waterfalls in winter that you need to see up close.

Depending on the time of year and the temperature, the waterfalls might be partially frozen or completely frozen. Even if you visit two years in a row, the cascades and scenery could look different every time. With 130-150 falls to explore throughout four seasons, you’ll never get bored hunting down waterfalls in Hamilton (or hiking in Hamilton!).

Stoney Creek Waterfalls: Devil’s Punch Bowl

Devil’s Punch Bowl is a 121 foot ribbon waterfall that looks brilliant in both the summer and the winter months. The circular shape of the escarpment is quite distinct, yet the cliff face almost resembles Niagara’s Horseshoe Falls on a smaller scale. It’s one of the best Hamilton waterfalls in winter.

In the winter, the waterfall sometimes freezes into one giant icy clump. When I visited, the temperatures were fluctuating between freezing and above freezing levels. For this reason, the waterfall at Devil’s Punch Bowl was partially frozen.

You can see gigantic masses of ice at the top of the escarpment and the bottom of the cliff, with water flowing in  the middle. If it gets colder outside again, I imagine that the whole thing will freeze back up.

The waterfall is very easy to visit as it’s right beside the parking lot. There’s also a scenic outlook at Devil’s Punchbowl Conservation Area. If the sky is clear, you can see all the way to Toronto. On this blustery winter day, I admired the homes down below as everything was dusted in a light layer of snow.

It is possible to hike to the base of Devil’s Punchbowl on the Bruce Trail Devil’s Punch Bowl Side Trail. You can access the trail from the side of the road beside the Punch Bowl Market. This is the safest way to hike from the top to the bottom. Please don’t attempt any other unofficial trails as they can be incredibly unsafe. Another option is to hike in to the bottom of the falls from the city streets below the escarpment.

Hamilton Waterfalls in Winter: Felker’s Falls

Just a short drive from Devil’s Punchbowl, Felker’s Falls Conservation Area sits just beyond a residential area. I had never heard of Felker’s Falls until moments before visiting. Out of the 100 Hamilton waterfalls, it’s not one of the popular ones. However, Felker’s Falls is a gem that you’ll definitely want to see when it’s frozen. I’m already planning my next visit in the spring, too.

The height of Felker’s Falls is 22 metres (72 feet) and the falls are about 6 metres (20 feet) wide. It is a terraced ribbon waterfall that flows all year long.

A section of the Bruce Trail winds alongside the escarpment near the top of the waterfall. When I visited with my friend, Shannon, we walked from the parking lot to the left and hiked on the trail. Little did we know, this was exactly in the opposite direction of the falls. Eventually, we turned around and backtracked to find the waterfall directly opposite the parking lot.

Albion Falls

Perhaps one of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls in Hamilton, Albion Falls is a classic cascade waterfall in the Red Hill Valley. This waterfall wasn’t frozen at all, except for a small section of ice beside it. It does freeze completely when it gets cold enough outside.

Unfortunately, visitors are unable to hike down to the base of the waterfall. I hiked all around this waterfall a couple of summers ago with friends. Sadly, some people climbed beyond fences and ignored warning signs. In fact, when I visited back in July of 2016, a man died at this waterfall a couple of hours after we left.

Nowadays, there are giant fences all around Albion Falls with warning signs threatening fines if anyone climbs down to the bottom.

Thankfully, there are a couple of places where you can still admire the falls and capture great photographs. It’s one of the most beautiful Hamilton waterfalls in winter.

There’s a trail that runs around and beyond the waterfall that’s quite lovely throughout every season. My friend, Shannon, came out to explore Albion Falls in the winter with me.

Frozen Waterfalls in Hamilton: Tiffany Falls

Tiffany Falls is one of my favourite Hamilton waterfalls in winter. When I checked it out, it was completely frozen from top to bottom. It’s quite a sight to behold.

In the summer, it’s a 21 metre high ribbon waterfall, with a gentle cascade of flowing water. In the winter, it’s a frozen, enchanting wonderland.

Tiffany Falls is a short walk from the parking lot, and you can even go ice climbing here in the winter. Check out the Ontario Hiking guide to Tiffany Falls Conservation Area and see how you can also hike to neighbouring Sherman Falls and Canterbury Falls. Enjoy this beautiful waterfall from its base and marvel at the huge columns of ice.

Dundas Waterfalls in Winter: Webster’s Falls

Webster’s Falls holds a special place in my heart because it’s in my hometown of Dundas, Ontario. Before the dawn of social media and blogging, it was not nearly as popular of a place. I remember hiking here during school activity days and coming here during my high school lunch break (once I got my license and could drive my group of friends there).

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to hike down to the base of the waterfall from the top of the falls anymore. Likewise, there are huge fences in place to ensure that visitors don’t climb to sit near the top of the falls in certain spots. I’m unhappy that I can’t enjoy the waterfall from all the various perspectives as I used to, but it’s for the safety of those visiting.

During the winter months, Webster’s Falls is much more quiet and peaceful, especially on a weekday. The waterfall is a frozen beauty in the winter, and it’s not to be missed.

Be sure to also make the trip to nearby Tew’s Falls, the tallest waterfall in Hamilton, as well as the Dundas Peak.

While there are numerous Hamilton frozen waterfalls to add to your winter hiking list, these five are an excellent starting point. If you’re feeling energetic, you can see all five in one day.

Looking for more places to hike in Hamilton? Here are the 10 best hiking trails in Hamilton to get started. If you’re new to hiking in the winter, you’ll need to check out these amazing winter hiking tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable trek.

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