Dundas Peak Trail: The Best Place to See Fall Colors Near Toronto

Last updated on July 20th, 2025

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Are you looking to get out of the city and enjoy the beauty of the fall colors near Toronto? Dundas Peak Trail is the spot you are looking for!

While I loved living in Toronto during fall, hopping from one coffee shop to the next in the crisp autumnal morning air, the best thing about fall in the city is getting out and seeing the bright autumnal colors in full display.

And Dundas Peak Trail is the place for it!

In this short and concise guide, I will share everything you need to know about visiting the stunning park, from the Dundas Peak trail hike difficulty, parking situation, prices, whether you need a reservation, and more.

Dundas Peak Trail: The Best Place to See Fall Colors Near Toronto

What is the Dundas Peak trail?

The Dundas Peak trail is a fairly easy uphill hike located in Hamilton, Ontario, a short 1 hr drive outside of Toronto.

This popular trail takes you through some stunning nature for about 20 minutes before you reach the end of the hike and are rewarded with the peak, which, as the name suggests, is the star of the show.

At the peak, the hike opens up to a mesmerizing viewpoint where you get to admire a sea of vibrant orange and yellow hues that spread far into the distance.

It is truly a breathtaking sight, and definitely one of the best spots to see the fall colors near Toronto, and get into the autumnal spirit.🍁🍂

Best months to visit the Dundas Peak trail

I have no doubt that the Dundas Peak trail must have a stunning view in summer and spring as well, but if what you want is to see the leaves changing, then the best time to make it here would be at some point in October.

Then again, it really depends on the year and the weather, but I would say that from the middle of October to the beginning of November, you should be able to catch a beautiful nature show at the Dundas Peak trail.

I visited the Dundas Peak Trail on the 21st of October, and the leaves were already brightly colored and most trees were still fully dressed, as you can see below.

Best time to visit the Dundas Peak trail

Throughout the last couple of years, a lot of places that would normally be known only to locals have become increasingly crowded due to Instagram fame, and this beautiful trail is no different.

The growing crowds can really ruin an experience that could otherwise be magical, so I think it’s very important to take this into consideration when planning your visit to Dundas Peak to admire the fall foliage.

I would highly recommend trying to make the trip to Dundas Peak trail on a weekday, if your schedule allows, and early in the day, when hopefully most people are busy.

We visited the trail on a Monday at around 10 am, and we got there right before the big crowds, but even on a Monday, it got pretty crowded by midday.

So, better set those alarms early!

Dundas Peak parking

The best and easiest way to get to the Dundas Peak trail would be by car.

There is a designated Dundas Peak parking lot at the beginning of the trail, with a parking fee of 11 CAD per vehicle.

Do I need to make a reservation to visit Dunda Peak Trail?

If visiting from September 28 to November 10—which you would if you want to see the fall colors—you now need to make a reservation in advance to visit the Spencer Gorge Conservation Area, which includes Dundas Peak, Tew Falls, and Webster Falls.

This is a new effort to control the crowds that gather here as soon as fall comes around. So hopefully it will make the experience more enjoyable.

Is the Dundas Peak trail hard?

The actual hike to the famous Dundas Peak lookout is not too demanding—it takes around 20 minutes from the parking lot to get to the peak.

On the way to the lookout, you’ll walk past a beautiful waterfall, and as you leisurely hike your way up, you can hear a stream of water running nearby.

So no, the hike itself is not hard at all, it’s super beginner-friendly, as it’s not too steep nor too long, and is an overall very picturesque little nature walk.

Take time to enjoy the fall colors

After admiring the panoramic view over the beautiful red, orange, and yellow sea of leaves—and taking the necessary photos—make sure to find a spot away from people and just sit in the woods, and take the time to admire the stunning view in front of you.

However, please be very careful. We all love a good picture, but if to get this picture you need to hang really close to the edge of the cliff, then better not.

We saw quite a few people taking very risky shots; no Instagram photo is worth that much risk.

So, safely enjoy the nature show!✨✨

Don’t miss Webster Falls

When you are done with the lookout, you can get in your car and drive another 5 minutes to get to Webster Falls on the other side of the forest.

It seems like a lot of people don’t come here since they only come for the photo at the peak and leave, nonetheless, the falls are also stunning in their own right and make for a very peaceful walk around the area, with fewer people around and the soothing sound of water rushing by.

So make sure to add this stop to your Dundas Peak itinerary!

I hope you found this little guide on visiting the famous Dundas Peak trail helpful!

Let us know if you have any information you think we should add to it, or if you end up visiting this beautiful place with the help of this guide. We would love to hear it!