devil's punchbowl falls

A friend and I decided to take a trip to the Devil's Punchbowl for a hike. We parked up by the cross where it's free and made our way down the side. It's a fun hike, but can be very dangerous if you go off the trails. The view from the cross is also great for taking pictures, especially when I was up there during the sunset. The broken beer bottles and garbage on the trails or beside the trails is disgusting and really takes away from the natural beauty of this place.

I wanted to see this falls as it appears in the horror movie "Silent Hill." (Not to mention that I "collect" waterfalls.) The drive up the escarpment was a bit harrowing for me but the views from the top were incredible. Not many signs to help. We finally found the parking area. You pay $2 to park there - there is a machine. There are some trails but we didn't stay long. The falls is a long narrow ribbon on a horseshoe shaped cliff.

I've lived in Hamilton for over 20 years now and finally visited the Devils Punchbowl. It is quite a striking attraction. Rock and mineral lovers will really appreciate this formation. Photographers amateur or professional will delight in the various layers of rock and the surrounding area in general.

A great place to take in views of Hamilton and beyond. Take a walk along the paths. Look and wonder about the power it took to cut the falls into the escarpment over millions of years. The lighted cross at night is an added bonus.

It took us lots of driving in the area to find the places. There are signs to the Dofasco walking/biking trail buut no signs telling about the falls. Not even at the parking place right next the falls, which are hidden among lush bushes. We could not find a good overlook place for the falls , a couple areas made to look like the close access to the edge opened a view to more plants and sometimes a dry path of the "river" nicely covered with stones. To get a view to the falls as shown in advertisements we had to do what many others before us had done- tresspass the fence and peak through the branches. All the trouble only to find an empty well with only a few drops of water strugling through the stone wall... and a cement block at the top, "decorated" with a graffiti.To be fair in my review I must say we werre impressed by the view anyway- the rock wall and stones showing the path of the river looked very nice. A couple more things- there is a nice (huge) cross sculpture in the same area with an absolutely stunning panoramic view to Hamilton and surrounding nature.If you drive past the stop with the falls and cross, you may be lucky to find the farmer's market with fresh goods still open.

As most have said, the falls were all but dry today. I imagine the sights and sounds would be amazing with a bit of water. It's 2 dollars an hour to park by the way. Not an issue but lucky I had a toonie in the car. Awesome view. Can't wait to come back maybe in the fall for some water ? ? ?

I am sure the falls look beautiful when there is water but currently it is dry. The park should display the information on their website. There is no fee to see the attraction but the minimum rate at the parking lot is $2 (1hour). You will only spend a few minutes on the lookouts, more time is required only if you decide to do the trail to the bottom. There are no picnic tables as described.The main lookout gives you a great view of Hamilton. The other lookouts do not give you a clear view of the punchbowl. Trees and plants are overgrown.There was a person form Hamilton Conservation authority in the parking lot and we asked for information about the trail to the bottom. We were traveling with three young kids and he said trail was easy and fine. Not true. Trail is steep, not well maintained and became so narrow that we decided not to continue. There is no map or information on site. No washrooms either.

After seeing many pictures online and visiting the city of waterfalls website, we were sadly disappointed to see the lack of falls and view for the actual "punchbowl". There are a couple of lookouts that have been built back from the edge of the escarpment which were very overgrown with plants/vegetation and one nice big lookout that did give a beautiful view over the city. We could see numerous paths where previous people have just climbed down the escarpment to get a better view, however these are not maintained or necessarily safe so we chose to leave vs. take the likely risky hike down to get a better view. Not worth the $2 minimum parking fee that is requested for the parking - had we known it was going to be such a poor view we would have skipped paying like every other vehicle in the lot. If we return again we will definitely do further research on how to come in from the bottom of the escarpment vs the conservation authority lookout.

What can I say- it has been a dry summer and no water was falling. No one can do anything about that! The area was beautiful but were disappointed that we didn't get to see the falls. I wish there had been a way to find out that the falls were dried up before we traveled there. There was a charge to park-I think it was $5.00.

At night you see a great big cross all lit up in lights. You can see it from lower Stoney Creek area. The punchbowl is a falls with railings and a look out point. You can hike down below.

the view from the outlook is absolutley breath taking, walking over was not well marked and did not see a lot of garbage bins. and a lot of garbage thrown over the edge which will be difficult to pick up probably not possible . the cross is lit at night and from the surrounding area it is there and this cross lit up , made a change in my grandsons life, he had tried a substance that was doing a number on him and he was having trouble just walking and he looked up and seen that cross and he said I knew God was above me and the devill below.

What a beautiful area! Easy to find with a great view at the top, but we felt the need to get up close and personal at the bottom. That was the difficult part! It had rained the day before, so it was a bit muddy and slippery. A bit of a strenuous and tricky hike, but well worth it! The teenagers had no problem, but this old lady got a bit nervous on some of the steep trails. There is a parking area at the top and you do need to pay a parking fee.

The most frustrating thing about this falls is that the parking is randomly open or closed. It's a beautiful spot that you can also hike in to see from parking at the Battlefield House parking lot and going along the Bruce Trail; you get a look up to the top from this way. You can drive to it from highway twenty also and get a look at city and Lake Ontario. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Toronto and the CN tower. A nice spot to stop and reflect. Be safe, stay behind the fence.

Have been to the punchbowl dozens of times over the last few decades and it never gets old, Great views, beautiful spot for a picnic or to bring family or friends who have never seen Hamilton from this vantage point. There is a nice market nearby with excellent baked goods and farm fresh vegetables. Nice leisurely drive and a little bit of the country close to the city. Even some interesting folklore if you listen to the locals !!

GPS is making confusing directions. You need to go on top of the hill, turn right & drive for 2 min. Better ask somebody. No signs on the road at all + charge for parking. I agree with all the visitors: some bushes need to be cut for better observation. Place also need cleaning.