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The Site: The Rattlesnake Point to Crawford Lake Hike

The limestone cliffs of Rattlesnake Point are a dramatic part of the Niagara Escarpment and overlook the Lowville Valley which is drained by Bronte Creek providing some spectacular views. The hike crosses the Nassagaweya Canyon  and Limestone Creek as it heads towards Crawford Lake with its historically accurate recreation of a 15th century Iroquoian village. A 750 m boardwalk trail leads around the meromictic lake (a deep, narrow lake lacking oxygen in its lower layers).

Rattlesnake Point has some excellent hiking trails and the walk along the edge of the escarpment is peaceful and not too challenging. The views are really amazing and add to the enjoyment of the outting. At the beginning of the trail, at the southern most point of Rattlesnake Point, there is a staircase that allows one to climb down to the base of the escarpment (see photo above). Here, some caves can be found, and the steps provide a good point of view of the cliffs and some of the climbers practicing their climbing skills on the cliffs. Climbing can be done on the cliff face at various points where anchors can be seen along the rim of the cliffs. Along the cliffs you can watch soaring turkey vultures glide through the Nassagaweya Canyon riding on the updrafts.

Big boulders, cliffs and caves are in ample supply but can be well hidden in some cases, so some exploaration may be required.

The pristine blue waters of Crawford Lake have drawn people to its shores for hundreds of years. The rare lake, with surrounding boardwalk, is nestled in lush forests atop the stunning Niagara Escarpment, where visitors can watch soaring turkey vultures glide through the Nassagaweya Canyon.

The Crawford Lake Conservation Area is a natural environment park that is managed by Conservation Halton. The 468 hectare park includes unique geological features, extensive forests and a rare meromictic lake (layers of water that do not intermix.)  The conservation area has significant natural habitat with a wide diversity of flora and fauna and approximately 19 km of nature trails. Due to the sensitive nature of Crawford Lake, biking on park trails or swimming, boating or fishing in the lake at any time is prohibited.

What's best to me about the Rattlesnake Point to Crawford Lake hike is the dramatic limestone cliffs of Rattlesnake Point, loved by legions of rock climbers, the hiking across the Nassagaweya Canyon where turkey vultures glide the canyon drafts, and the wooden boardwalk around the pristine waters of Crawford Lake that have drawn visitors and hikers alike for many years. This hike is a favourite one and never ceases to please.