SECRET SPOTS – CHEDOKE FALLS, HAMILTON
Once upon a time, Chedoke Falls were just another of Hamiltons many waterfalls that anyone could access. But like other waterfalls in the area, people attempted hikes above their ability level, got hurt (or worse), and now Chedoke is technically unaccessible to the public with a long fence covered in warning signs at the beginning of the trail.
I am a big fan of epic waterfall hikes. I find it frustrating that the unwise choices of a handful of individuals has led to the government deeming them unsafe for everyone. Please, do not attempt hikes or excursions such as Chedoke Falls if it is above your physical capabilities and skill level. It’s not worth it for the ‘gram. For those who do attempt Chedoke (or any other more adventurous hikes), please do so safely. Warning before reading, that by checking out Chedoke Falls, you are risking getting fined. Live your life as you see fit.
Not scared of the fine and ready to rock the falls? I salute you. Your little adventure will begin at a very unadventurous place, the Chedoke Golf Course parking lot.
I suggest taking advantage of the free parking and public washrooms. You’ll want to head to the east side of the parking lot to the Radial Trail, I took a picture of the sign marking the trail but someone thoughtfully decided to graffiti over it. Not even cool graffiti either, rude. If you hit a tall metal staircase a minute or two after leaving the parking lot, you’re going the wrong way.
Follow the trail for about five minutes until you see dirt and wood stairs to your right.
Just past those stairs a little off the path you’ll see this ugly looking fence covered in all sorts of scary “WARNING” and “TRESPASSING” signs. Now you can do what I saw others do and awkwardly climb over the fence OR you can do the less suspicious looking move and casually follow the fence until it just ends. Either way, you’re now where you should not have passed. Cue Judas Priest.
From here the path is simply following the stream.
When we went this first part was quite shallow and very easy to trek. We saw families with small children, dogs, and grandmas walking along the rocks and sticking their feet in the water in this area. As you get a bit further the rocks become bigger, the water deeper, and the path a little more difficult. No grandmas to be found here. Very soon you’ll find yourself at the first of the three falls on this hike, the lower Chedoke Falls. Pretty isn’t it?
It seems like a lot of people end their journey here which is fair enough. It’s a short distance, just enough of a hike to feel like you accomplished something, and it’s a sweet little waterfall. But the brave who decide to continue on will be rewarded.
This next part is the most difficult of the journey, getting up and over the falls.
The easiest way (but not easy, again, no shame in turning back if this is above your ability), was going to the left, up the kinda cliff like wall. It looks very steep and treacherous but we found that there were steps in the wall that we could climb. Some spots were quite muddy so you have to be extra careful of your footing. I sort of felt like one of those insane mountain goats that look chill as fuck just up against a cliff. The climb goes up so you end up overlooking the falls you just saw from below. Cool.
From here make your way back down to the water and continue to follow the stream.
You might be able to climb up onto land and whack your way through the bush but we didn’t bother. We just climbed and hoped along the rocks. There are spots filled with massive boulders that you have to actually climb and other areas filled with lots of smaller and further apart rocks. BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU STEP. I may or may not have slipped on a moss covered rock, soaking myself to the knees. Somehow caught myself without dropping my phone though.
After a nice chunk of shadowed rock climbing you’ll find yourself at water fall number two.
I like these little falls that sort of have levels to them, the water flowing down steps. Very serene. Saw someone meditating here. All the peaceful vibes.
Another couple minutes of rocking and you’ve made it to the Upper Chedoke falls. Congrats on a successful hike!
Your reward is a stunning 15.5 metre ribbon waterfall surrounded by a rock wall with a green blue pond where ducks like to swim. Little warning here, do NOT swim in this water. Though the colour makes it look clean and the ducks seem to be living their best life, it’s actually heavily polluted. You’ll find signs warning of e-coli and other such gross things. But do take some gorgeous photos. You can even walk behind the falls if you dare. It was super slippery and I wasn’t interested in falling into the e-coli pond so I went as far as this to get an awkward photo.
And that’s it! The triple Chedoke falls hike.
We sat for a while on the rocks a bit back to take in the two falls (and away from the slight swamp smells) to rest before the return trek and for me to dry out my shoes in the sun. The hike back was quicker as we were familiar with the rocky route but the bit down the cliff near the Lower Falls was pretty tricky so take extra care here. For that spot alone I would not recommend doing this hike solo, I’m not sure I could have made it down safely without the help of my partner. And by help I meant me acting like a terrified princess. Still a tough cookie though.
In total it took us probably between an hour and an hour and a half to do this hike. Give yourself lots of time, don’t rush over the rocks. ALWAYS HIKE WITHIN YOUR ABILITY. Don’t be one of those people that need to get air lifted out, charged a $10,000 fine, and be part of the reason these spots are “banned”. I thoroughly enjoyed this triple waterfall hike in Hamilton. During a time of lockdowns and restrictions, it’s nice to be able to just roam around the rocks. See what I did there? Roam around rocks? Eh? Okay I’m done.
Want more secret hikes to epic waterfalls? Check out this post on Brandywine Falls.
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