There are a number of beautiful and remarkable waterfalls you can visit in our area. Located on Grey Road 13 is one that is visited regularly. Eugenia Falls, which is found in the village of Eugenia, can be reached from Flesherton by taking the Highway 4 turnoff. It is marked on most road maps. With a variety of things to do, see, and photograph it is an ideal location for an afternoon outing, day trip with the family, or hiking adventure with friends. When you get to the town of Eugenia turn northwest on Pellisier St. and follow the signs. Even if you have seen Eugenia Falls during summer, it is well worth it to view them in the winter since they appear completely different. Come admire the beauty of the ice covered waterfalls.
Hiking Eugenia Falls
You get your first view of the crest of Eugenia Falls is from the parking lot. You are advised to stay on the “safe” side of the stone wall as the vertical cliffs are about 30 m high. For better views follow one of the trails. At the head of the western one, there is a sign with information about the escarpment and Eugenia’s history. This trail takes you along the edge of a forested gorge, when you come to a clearing in the woods look back to the falls, for a great view. If you are an experienced hiker you can continue along the trail to a weakly defined path down to the bottom of the gorge and make your way back to the base of the falls. If you follow the downstream trails for about a hundred feet there is a nice view of the whole falls.
You could also take the eastern one that takes you directly down to the falls following a low stone wall along the ridge. If you like you can go east to the top of Eugenia Falls or go west to join up with the western trail. The area is situated in a conservation area encompassing 23 hectares of the river valley and upland forest along the Niagara Escarpment. The falls are 30 meters high but fairly narrow. The best time to view them is in the spring when the snow melts as the water becomes sparse during the summer because the nearby power plant uses much of the water from the river.
Discovered in 1852
They were discovered by a Mr. Brownlee in 1852 and were the site of a brief gold rush until they learned it was only fools gold. Surveyors named it after Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III. There are a picnic area and shelter available for use. There are a number of trails you can follow through the gorge and one that leads to Hogg’s Falls, but some of them are difficult and dangerous so are considered for experienced hikers only. The one that most people can follow is large and well groomed.
Near the start of this trail is an old monument honoring the soldiers of World War 1, and if you follow it for about 20 minutes to will take you downstream to river level where the official trail ends. If you are looking for somewhere to spend an enjoyable afternoon hiking, bird watching, and enjoying nature’s wonders, Eugenia Falls should be your destination.
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