Crooks Hollow Historical Trail

This trail traverses the site of Crooks Hollow, once the largest industrial community in Upper Canada but now a ghost town. Many of the buildings are now just grassy fields, but the Darnley Grist Mill is a spectacular ruin. A few buildings, now private residences, also still stand. Connects with the Optimist Park walking trail, which winds along the picturesque Spencer Creek and passes near Greensville Falls as well as more ruins, ending near the Spencer Gorge/Webster's Falls Conservation Area.

Address: Crooks Hollow Road, Greensville
Getting there: park at Crooks Hollow Conservation Area, Crooks Hollow Rd.

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Listing from Wikivoyage: Hamilton (Ontario), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Updated 28 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.

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See
Webster's Falls
Among the most beautiful waterfall in Hamilton, at 30 m wide it is the widest in the city. The surrounding area in Spencer Gorge/Webster's Falls Conservation Area is a popular picnic spot in the summer. The staircase down to the base of the falls is treacherous but the view from down there is beautiful. While you are there, check out the cobblestone arch bridge near the falls. You can walk to Tew's Fall.
$5 per person, $10 per car
See
Tew's Falls
The tallest waterfall in the city, at 41 metres only slightly shorter than Niagara Falls (although the volume of water going over Tew's Falls is much smaller and shrinks to a trickle in the summer; spring is a better viewing time).
$5 per person, $10 per car
Do
Christie Lake Conservation Area
Centred on the beautiful Christie Reservoir, this conservation area features a 360-m long beach and a chlorinated swimming area separate from the reservoir. Also contains several ponds stocked with fish and large natural areas accessible by hiking trails.
sunrise–sunset$5/person, additional $5 if bringing a vehicle
See
Dundas Museum & Archives
Local history of the community of Dundas.
Tue Wed Fri 10AM-4:30PM, Thu 10AM-8PM, Sat 1-4PM