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THE SITE: The route takes you to Tiffany, Sherman, Hermitage, and Heritage Falls along a mostly linear route from which you must hike back. You could walk to Mill Falls also but it is easier to go back to Tiffany Falls and drive the short distance to Mill Falls behind the Ancaster Mill. You can extend this hike by following the additional route described here. Note that you can also drive to each of these falls (except Heritage) and park nearby. The trail map shows suggested parking spots.
UPDATE (2007): The trail to Tiffany Falls has now been reopened with new bridges and an observation platform near the falls. The trail is now safe and enjoyable. Nice job.
THE HIKE:Follow the trail from the Tiffany Falls parking lot into the woods to the right of the creek bed. Two new bridges and a wide gravel pathway leads you to the falls. The creek bed rounds a corner and there is front of you is the impressive and pretty cascading Tiffany Falls with a new observation platform. There is a trail up the side of the gorge to the left of the falls that leads to another Tiffany Falls –the upper falls which has a height of 6.5 m and a crest of 7 m. This is a rather steep trail up and the trail is usually wet so be careful if you decide to view the upper falls. After viewing the falls retrace your steps to the parking lot. To access the main Bruce trail you need to cross busy Wilson Avenue. Be careful here!
Once across, take the short access trail down and go left on the main trail. This is an interesting section of the trail with some very rocky portions. You might see a few deer in the area. The trail comes out onto Old Dundas Road. Be careful crossing this road to pick up the main Bruce Trail on the other side.
As you leave the road and enter the Bruce Trail system once more, you can see and hear Sherman Falls ahead of you. The trail crosses a wooden bridge in front of the  Falls. It’s a steep cascade with a wide ledge about two-thirds of the distance down. This is one impressive waterfall to explore. Leaving the Falls, the trail climbs a dirt hill and follows along a fenced-off field and then goes back into the woods and follows the winding edge of the escarpment. There are many bicyclists using the trail so caution is necessary. Around a rock face there is another small waterfall (Canterbury Falls?) as the creek runs down into the gorge. The trail meets a gravel pathway called the Heritage Trail and continues straight ahead. This trail is part of the Dundas Valley Conservation area series of marked trails. The trail comes to a corner, makes a right turn and then goes downhill and follows a small almost dry creek bed. At the bottom of the hill there is a small junction and the trail goes left crossing a small wooden bridge. Before reaching this bridge, Hermitage Creek flows down the side of the escarpment resembling more of a waterslide than a waterfall or a rapid. Hermitage Falls is a short distance further upstream. Just before the bridge the Merrick side trail goes off to the right. Ignore this trail and stay on the main trail crossing the bridge. The trail now winds, goes steeply downhill and crosses a wide creek of flowing mineral water. It then climbs up to another gravel roadway which is the Main Loop of the Dundas trail system. At his point turn left leaving the main Bruce trail and soon you will arrive at a large parking lot. Near the entrance to the lot there is an old gatehouse. Walk to the right of this structure and hidden in the woods you will see Hermitage Falls which has a reliable source of water flowing over it most of the year. This is a small waterfall fed by a small creek but it drains a relatively large area.
After viewing the Falls, walk out of the driveway to Sulphur Springs Road and turn  right. At the intersection walk straight ahead onto Mineral Springs Road. Follow the shoulder of this road a short distance until you come to a tall hydro tower on the north side of the road that is marked “133”. You will see a path and a small sign identifying “Griffin House”. Follow the path to the nearby house and examine it. To the north of the house the land slopes downwards. On the right of this slope you will see an old overgrown shed that you might wish to explore. To the far left there is an old apple tree. Head towards the apple tree and climb the slight slope to find a narrow path between two rows of bushes. Follow this path until it joins the Homestead Trail. Go left on this trail. In less than 10 minutes from leaving Griffin House, you will see the trail cross a metal culvert. To your left there is a large deep gorge where Heritage Falls is located. This Falls is dry most of the year except in early spring and after heavy rainfalls. Continue along the Homestead trail until you come to a wide grassy trail where you leave the Homestead Trail. Soon you will arrive at a sign for the Headwaters Trail. Go left on this trail crossing Sulphur Springs Road. This trail heads downhill and joins the Main Loop trail.
You have a choice at this point. If you wish to return to Tiffany Falls turn right and follow the main Bruce trail and its white blazes all the way back to Tiffany Falls, where you will see the sign for the Tiffany Falls access trail. Again be very careful crossing this busy road.
If you wish to go the short distance to view the Hermitage ruins and visit the Trail Centre before returning, then go left onto the main trail system here. The trail zigzags down a very steep hill to the roadway and parking lot at the bottom. If you cross the road at the parking lot you can see a small collapsed table with a tube delivering  sulphur water and its aroma. Head back to where you came down the hill and follow the creek bed to your right as the Main Loop follows Sulphur Creek as it meanders along.
Continue following the white Bruce trail blazes until you arrive at the Hermitage ruins and then on to the Trail Centre. There are washrooms, sheltered picnic tables, drinks and snacks available here. Open daily 9 -5 pm in the summer and weekends only otherwise.
To return follow the main Bruce trail all the way back to Tiffany Falls.
To see Mill Falls, drive back along Wilson and turn right onto Montgomery Drive. At the bottom of Montgomery turn left onto Old Dundas Road and look for the Ancaster Mill signs. Park in one of the lots. Mill Falls is behind the Ancaster Mill. In fact the restaurant spans the water and lines both sides of the stream. This is one beautiful spot.
Enjoy the hike and the day.
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