Hike #17 Felkers Falls: Battlefield to Kingsview Rd

November 21, 2021

Battlefield Park to Kingsview Rd, Stoney Creek

Today we started at Battlefield Park and left our second car parked on Kingsview Drive. There is free parking at both locations and washrooms at Battlefield. The parking lot at Battlefield Park is approximately 800 meters from the Bruce tail. The unmarked Battlefield Trail travels alongside Centennial Parkway, first crossing a grassy field, then delving into bush consisting of sumac trees.

Battlefield Trail running through sumac trees.
This is where the Battlefield Trail meets with the Bruce Trail.

Under the Centennial Road Bridge is where you will connect with the Bruce Trail. Mountain bikers do frequent this section of the trail. This was part of Peter's regular bike route.

Railroad tracks under Centennial Parkway bridge.

The Bruce Trail runs along the south side of the tracks under the bridge and immediately turns south to re-enters the woods at the base of the escarpment. This part of the woods is dominated by maple trees. The combination of dark tree trunks, dark soil, and bright yellow maple leaves made for a pretty scene.

Section of woods at the base of the escarpment, just west of Battlefield Park.

The Bruce Trail continues west through the woods, wedged between the escarpment to the south and subdivisions of Stoney Creek to the north. There are many sections of the trail where the woods thin out enough to allow a view of the city below.

This access trail heads south from the Trail, climbing the escarpment to reach Glover Mountain Rd.

Rusted engine hood from a really old car.
There was no indication of the make or model...

Views of the reservoir, Stoney Creek and Lake Ontario from the trail. This section of the trail is pretty rocky. When mountain biking, Peter takes the road in front of the reservoir for this section.

View of Stoney Creek underground water reservoir (grassy field) located at Greenhill Ave.
City of Stoney Creek. Lake Ontario can be seen in the distance.

Veever's Park side trail marker.
At this point the Bruce Trail turns south and climbs to the top of the escarpment.

While the Veever's Park side trail turns north, the Bruce Trail turns south. This gentle climb up the escarpment rewards hikers with breathtaking views of Hamilton Harbour. The photos we took don't do it justice.

View of Hamilton from top of escarpment, just south of Stoney Creek reservoir.

View of woods at the top of the escarpment.

The Bruce Trail runs through established woods at the top of the escarpment westward towards the head waters of Felker's Falls. We had to circumvent a large crater that was approximately 20 feet deep, and 200 feet wide.

Edge of crater / gorge located on Bruce Trail.

View of crater / gorge from western ridge.
The Bruce trail follows the rim of this gorge.

The trail continues through the woods at the edge of the escarpment. Along the way there are breaks in the trees that offer a view of Hamilton below. The trail turns sharply to the south along the edge of a deep wooded ravine which terminates at Felker's Falls.

View of lower Hamilton from top of escarpment just south of Felker's Falls.

Rare sighting of a blue cedar.
Eastern ridge of ravine, just south of Felker's Falls.

Felker's Falls was definitely the highlight of todays hike. The recent heavy rainfall meant that the water was flowing. The best viewing is on the east side of the ravine.

View of Felker's Falls from Bruce Trail (east side).

Definitely not a good idea to get too close to the edge. The escarpment is unstable here.

Wide paved bridge over the brink of Felker's Falls.

Pedestrian bride over the stream that feeds Felker's Falls.

View of the escarpment on the east bank of the headwaters of Felker's Falls.

The paved section of the Bruce Trail goes past Felker's Park. There is free parking but no facilities that we could see from the trail.

The Bruce Trail curves around the gorge to the west side of Felker's Falls. Views of the falls are much more obscured here; however, there are some benches if you need a rest.

View of the edge of the escarpment from the west ridge of Felker's Falls ravine.

View of Hamilton from southern ridge of Felker's Falls ravine (west side).

The Bruce Trail continues through woods at the top of the escarpment. Glendale Golf Course can be seen to the North. Paramount Park (playground equipment and parking) is located on the south side of the trail.

As the trail approaches the Red Hill Valley Parkway, it will turn sharply to the north. This is where we ended our hike today. Instead of following the trail north, we took the Kingsview Drive side trail where we had parked out car.