Hoggs Falls
Hogg’s Falls, located just outside of Flesherton, is one of the many waterfalls of Grey County, Ontario.
Located on the Boyne River, Hogg’s Falls is about a 2 hour drive north of Toronto and 40 minutes from Collingwood. This is a small, secluded and mostly wild waterfall, located in forest preserve within The Beaver Valley. The falls are named after William Hogg, who built a sawmill upstream of Little Falls – the original name of Hogg’s Falls in the 1870’s. That mill burned down in 1888 and Mr. Hogg relocated further north in the Beaver Valley to Eugenia Falls.
Hogg’s Falls can be accessed from the Bruce Trail, which is one of the longest marked hiking trails in all of Canada, however, we usually drive in along Highway 4 out of Singhampton. There is a smallish parking lot which may hold 10 cars or so. In addition, there are a couple of information boards detailing the history of Hogg’s Falls, a Port-o-Potty and a map of the trail system in the vicinity.
From Collingwood, it is roughly a 40 minute drive.
Winter In Hoggs Falls
Our favourite time to visit Hoggs Falls is in the winter months. While we have visited during the summer, we both prefer the winter by far. There are fewer people and we love the way the falls look at this time of year. The cold weather brings a certain calm and tranquillity.
Hogg’s Falls are seriously picturesque in the winter, especially on a sunny cold day. As soon as you exit the parking lot, you can hear the flow of the river gurgling over the many rocks. It’s just pretty.
Hiking to Hoggs Falls
From the parking lot, it’s a short, half kilometre hike on the Bruce Trail alongside the Boyne River to the waterfall. It will not take you more than 10 minutes.
Once you arrive at the top of the falls, there is no viewing platform or fence and if you want to go down to the falls, you pretty much have to descend down a rope, which is questionable depending on the time of year. We have found it feels more secure in the winter and it isn’t nearly as muddy as the summer months, when there is a lot more people traffic. However, we have gone down in the summer without any difficulty. Just be careful and secure your footing on each step down.
There is also a side trail that takes you down to the river but we’ve never tried that. From what I’ve read, you can give that a try if you’re okay with possibly getting wet.
The falls are classified as a plunge waterfall. A plunging waterfall is a waterfall that loses contact with the rock over which it flows. These waterfalls are the classic image of a waterfall, with a free-flowing, near-vertical curtain of water, usually with a cavern behind the base of the falls.
So as you can see from the above photos, it’s not a thick rope that is in place but it appears to be a good quality braided rope and as a gentleman, I always make sure I descend first in the case of something happening and stand prepared at the bottom to catch my sweetie.
Yim and I use crampons for this hike and they really help while descending down to the falls.
The Hogg’s Falls Loop
After visiting the falls, make sure to continue to hike the 4.5-km loop trail that runs through the woods and across the Lower Valley Road. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 hour 30 minutes to complete in the summer or the winter. After crossing the road, you will enter an amphitheatre, which appears as an open field in the winter, surrounded by hills. After a short walk, maybe ten minutes, the trail then climbs to the right into a forest and then upwards into a beautiful lookout before following a track down and back towards the parking lot. It’s a good workout hike.
Yim and I use our crampons for winter hiking but snowshoes would be a great option for this trail.
Below I’ve included a map of the actual hike. Go and enjoy.
Proximity to Eugenia Falls
Eugenia Falls is a ten minute drive from Hoggs Falls. If you care to hike it, it is a 12.1-km loop. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 55 min to complete. We have never done that loop, but as of this writing, I am re-thinking that, especially if we get some sunny sold days in February.
Eugenic Falls is claimed to be one of the most impressive waterfall in the Niagara Escarpment but perhaps we’ve never been at the right time. Most of the times that we have visited, there has been barely a drizzle of water and in the winter, it basically freezes.
In the photo above, I am standing right on the edge of the 30 metre ledge and while it is an impressive geological structure, I personally prefer seeing the heavy water flow along the Boyne River and Hoggs Falls.
However, if you would like to see for yourself, excellent views of Eugenia Falls can be reached just a short walk away from the free parking area in Eugenia.
There are lots of signs there requesting visitors to remain on the safe side of the stone wall as the cliffs do reach 30 metres in height. It is not recommended to explore the gorge. The park includes a parking area just steps from the falls, a pavilion with tables, a war memorial and a small trail system connecting to the Bruce Trail.
The best time to visit Eugenia Fall would be in the spring as the flow of water is a lot heavier.
Eugenia Falls in the Winter
No Comments