Ball's Falls | TorontoHiking

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THE BALL'S FALLS AREA:

Ball's Falls Conservation Area is a historical park. The discovery and settlement of Ball's Falls resulted indirectly from the American Revolution. The remaining colonies that remained loyal to the British migrated North to Upper Canada in search of new homes. On October 13, 1807, 1200 acres of land was sold to John and George Ball beginning the Ball tenure of these historic lands which lasted for more than a century and a half.

Upper Balls FallsRestored and maintained by the Niagara Peninsula Conservations Authority, the site occupies over 80 hectares (200 acres) of the original 480 hectares (1200 acres) purchased by the Ball brothers. George Ball constructed grist, saw, and woolen mills, which lead to the growth of one of the first communities in this area. The hamlet was known as Ball's Mills, Louth Mills, Glen Elgin, and finally as Ball's Falls because of the two delightful waterfalls on the property. In the mid 1800s, however, significant developments such as the railway and the Welland Canal led to the rapid growth of other villages below the escarpment, and by the turn of the century, most of the activity at Balls Falls had ceased.

The site, lovingly restored to its early 1800's atmosphere, now features an operating flour mill, a lime kiln, a church, family home, blacksmith shop, carriage shed, and more. In addition to its historical interest, Ball's Falls is also a centre for nature activities, offering a tremendous diversity of flora and fauna as well as excellent exposures of geologic strata.

Ball's Falls conservation area is home to 471 species of vascular plants including Wild Sarsaparilla, Green and White Trilliums, Wild Ginger, Wild Geranium, Virginia Bluebells, Canada Yew, Arrowhead, Wild Leak, Asparagus, Wild Yam, Red Mulberry, Wild Columbine, Canada Anemore, Chokecherry, Virginian Creeper, and St. John's Wort. Ball's Falls lies within what is known as the deciduous forest zone. Hardwoods mixed with coniferous trees predominately characterize this area. Species include Eastern Cotton Wood, Butternut, Black Walnut, Shagbark, Hickory, White Oak, Tulip Tree and Slippery Elm.

BALL'S FALLS AREA WALKING TRAILS:

Bruce Trail, Upper Falls Access Trail. For a map of area trails, click on the Trail Map icon above.

At the base of the Upper FallsFrom the road curve parking area, locate the blue marked side trail that heads down into the woods. Follow this rocky trail along the very edge of the escarpment as you gradually descend down the escarpment. After a stiff climb back up, a set of metal stairs brings you down to the historic Ball’s Falls Conservation Area.

Here you will find numerous historical displays and display boards outlining the features of both the falls and the conservation area. A good stone viewing area is provided to give you views of the large falls. Picnic tables and washrooms are available here and it is a good place for lunch.

Lower Balls FallsAfter viewing Ball’s Lower Falls and displays, head down to 6th Ave and either cross the bridge to your right or descend to the river bank and cross the small footbridge there. Across the river, turn left and follow the path on the west bank of Twenty Mile Creek. You can stop to examine the ruins of the old woolen mill. It was built by George Ball in 1824 and used water diverted 100 m from the Upper Falls to power machinery that ran in the mill to manufacture fabrics. Continuing along the path will bring you to a flat stone viewing area with a metre high stone wall to keep the public back from the dangerous edge of Ball’s Upper Falls. Many people climb over this wall for a closer view. If you decide to do so, exercise extreme caution. In the summer when there is only a trickle of water you can walk out onto the crest of the falls for a great view down the gorge. I find the Upper Falls more interesting than the more viewed lower falls. In summer it is not uncommon to see young people near the foot of the falls navigating the (slippery) rocks. At the far edge of the gorge a large volume of water has found its way under the caprock creating an almost separate waterfall. The caprock in this area is quite unstable.

Leaving the falls, try the slightly longer alternate route back to your left which travels through the woods high above the original path and gradually descends down to the road and the bridge. Here you might want to follow the Bruce Trail to the west for a bit to get a great view of the gorge below. You can also view the gorge from the eastern side by taking the staircase down -the same one you used if you walked in from Glen Road. Retrace your path back to your parking area.

FOR THE ADVENTUROUS ONLY:

You can access the base of the Lower Falls by way of the Bruce Trail on either the eastern or western side of the gorge. If the water is high, the western side would be best. Getting down into the gorge to the base of the Upper Falls is much easier and you will see some good spots to descend. Just before the long wooden staircase on the Twenty Trail that goes up the cliff edge to the botanical garden and Ball's Falls CA, you can descend a trail close to the creek that heads towards the base of Balls Falls.

HIKES VISITING THIS FALLS:

L47F Louth Falls to Balls Falls and L48F Rockway Falls to Balls Falls

BALL'S FALLS VIDEO: