Rockway Conservation Area
Wonderful little waterfall in St Catherines
Welcome to the first Nolan Hikes blog post, which is also the first hiking video on the channel: Rockway Conservation Area
This is a short but sweet hike located on the edge of St Catherines, Ontario that comes with anywhere from 3 to 0 waterfalls depending on the time of year (my personal favourite is going during the summer and walking up the river bed).
Going from parking lot to each waterfall, will yield about 4 km of hiking, a solid day out. It should take between 30 minutes to an hour to do this little trek, plus maybe some added time to enjoy the views. Scroll to the bottom for my rating, the video link, and a couple maps if you wanna skip the mumbo jumbo.
Let’s Get Right Into It!
So you begin your trek at the Rockway Community Centre Parking Lot. From here, you’ll wanna head to the far corner, you should see the opening in the trees with a trail. A Bruce Trail Side Trail sign will look at you.
After a short walk into the woods, you’ll come across your first obstacle, a little rocky drop. Usually it isn’t too dangerous but be careful if it’s wet outside. Up next is your first crossroads, up until here it’s pretty linear. If you head to the right, it will take you on the Bruce Trail out of the park. Left takes you towards the falls (both of them). To the left we go!
Be careful going down the rocks here, especially if it’s wet
Lil crossroads here: left is to the falls, right takes you along the Bruce Trail out of the park.
You’ll wind down the back of the hill, and come to yet another crossroads. This one is the fun one though.
To the right, you’ll eventually reach the Lower Falls, a nice waterfall, but not typically the one you would come here for.
To the left, you’ll head towards the main falls, the Middle Falls, and continue your way on the Bruce Trail. (That’s the way we’re going)
Left is to the main falls and continuing on the Bruce Trail. Right takes you to the Lower Falls.
The good ole bridge. Cross it, and you’ll be heading out of the park on the Bruce Trail. Go past it, and you’ll have your hop and skip to the main falls.
Be careful of the rocks here, really dangerous for your ankles. After continuing on the path for a couple minutes, you’ll come to a bridge. Now this is the last crossroads you have to deal with, and it’s a pretty easy decision. If you cross the bridge, you’ll be continuing on the Bruce Trail on the way out of the Park Towards Louth.
If you continue past it, you go towards the main falls. Let’s do that instead.
You’ll have to climb your way to the main falls, but it’s definitely worth it. When you reach the falls, congrats! You’ve made it. Enjoy the view, maybe soak your feet, and when you’re ready, backtrack the same route to get back to your car and you’re all finished.
The location is pretty close to Brock University and not far off the 406. Free parking as well
