Walter's Falls Winter Hike

Exploring Walter's Falls in Winter

by Sandra J. Howe for theFlesherton.ca

In 1887 Walter's Falls was a bustling community of over 200 people. A sawmill, woollen mill, and grist mill all driven by the creek employed dozens of men. The churches and Foresters' Hall were active. Stores and businesses thrived. Today this sleepy little town is quieter. The rushing of Walter's Falls as it drops 14m over the cliff edge is often the loudest noise around. It remains, though, a place full of history and natural beauty. Winter lends it a particular charm, inviting casual strollers and hard-core hikers to explore.

Walter's Falls is named for John Walter who built the first sawmill in 1852. The sawmill stood at the lip of the falls until it burned in 1984. Foundation walls and machinery are still visible at the site. The other historic building just upstream was the woollen mill. The feed mill on Victoria St., the main road into town, remains one of Ontario's few water-powered mills. The history of the village and creek are inseparable.

To begin your journey, park in the large cleared lot provided by The Falls Inn, downhill off Victoria St. For an easy stroll wander to the lookout platform over the falls. The bridge just upstream provides a lovely view of the dam and millpond. As you face the inn, look uphill to your right for a glimpse of St. Philip's Anglican Church. Follow the road in this direction to visit the beautiful old church and graveyard. The tombstone of John Walter and his family is just inside the gate. The rest of the village offers good walking, or return to The Falls Inn for refreshments.

For a more rigorous adventure, the Bruce Trail offers a 4.5km loop of moderate difficulty which follows Walter's Creek downstream and back up the other side. The trail is rugged and steep in places. It is suitable for winter hiking or snowshoes but not for skiing. Choose weather-appropriate footwear and clothing. Head west across the bridge on the white-blazed Bruce Trail and turn right into the high meadow. As you enter the forest an old forklift and mill machinery attest to the area's past industry. The trail meanders through hardwood forest, then switchbacks steeply down the escarpment to creek level. Use extreme caution on this descent; this is the toughest bit of this loop.

The trail levels out now, winding along the creek flats. There are hemlock and cedar with mixed maple forest on higher ground. The creek bubbles along beside you. Chickadees, blue jays, and cardinals call out. Watch for wildlife signs in the snow. The air feels peaceful and pure. Soon you come to Grey Rd.29 with an option to continue straight across or shorten your loop to about 2km. For the shorter loop, walk north, a right turn onto the road, to the junction with Holland-Sydenham Townline. Just to your right, the white blazes of the Bruce Trail enter the forest heading back upstream along the creek.

The longer loop continues across Grey Rd.29. The Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC) completed a land purchase here in 2015 for the new Walter's Creek Nature Reserve. Sydenham Bruce Trail Club Trail Director, Ron Savage notes,”This new property extends the BTC's ownership in the area, securing an additional section of conservation corridor containing the Bruce Trail. Most of this loop is now on conservation lands because Grey Sauble Conservation Authority also owns property along Walter's Creek. Fifty percent of the Bruce Trail is on private land, and is therefore not secured for public access. BTC membership fees and donations are essential for land acquisition to secure the whole Bruce Trail permanently.”

From Grey Rd.29, you enter a wood of young cedar, beech, and maple. Ruffed grouse may erupt from the dense undergrowth. The trail climbs out of the valley, along a ridge and pasture, and re-enters a hardwood forest. Descending again to the creek, you cross Townline Rd. A right turn onto the road here will connect you at the corner with the return trail heading back upstream to Walter's Falls. Continuing on across Townline, the trail meanders through huge, old beech and hemlock trees. Some of these may be remnants of old growth forests that were logged out in the late 1800s.

After crossing 3 wooden foot bridges, you will see Walter's Falls Side Trail. It is marked with blue blazes, on your right with a creek bridge. In its early years the Bruce Trail bypassed Walter's Falls, and this was the main trail. When the Hallman Family built The Falls Inn they agreed to a loop extending to the falls. Dwayne Hallman said, “the Bruce Trail is a point of interest for our guests, and brings many people to our doors. We are happy to have it cross our lands.” Follow the blue blazes through plantation and pasture, past an old farmstead full of fruit trees, until it meets the main trail again.

Turn right to follow the white blazes back upstream to Walter's Falls. There are some steep and rocky sections here so be cautious. Many springs emerge from the hillside making the trail wet and slippery at times. One bubbling spring flows directly out of a rock face but don't assume it is safe to drink. Take in the winter scenery. Listen for birds. Soak up the sound of flowing water. Soon you find yourself back at the falls. You can cool down or warm up with food and refreshments at The Falls Inn. For a more traditional diner experience, try The Corner Gas General Store uptown. I hope you've enjoyed exploring Walter's Falls in winter. Happy trails!