Where will you go with FLO?

Where will you go with FLO?

Charge, hike, bike in the Dundas Valley 

Distance between Dundas Valley and…

• London 120 km
• Niagara Falls 90 km
• Toronto 80 km
• Windsor 300 km
• Kingston 360 km
• Ottawa 480 km
• Muskoka 270 km 

Welcome to the Dundas Valley Conservation Area – a beautiful glacial valley nestled in the Golden Horseshoe boasting 40 kilometers (about 25 miles) of multi-use trails, right in the heart of the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area in Canada. 

There are five access points to the Dundas Valley Conservation Area; but for electric vehicle (EV) drivers, the Hamilton Conservation Authority offices – located at 838 Mineral Springs Road in Ancaster, Ontario – have four Level 2 FLO EV chargers.  

You can set your car up to recharge, while you take in part of over 1,200 hectares of protected conservation land.    

Take a forest walk while you charge 

Once you’ve set your EV to charge, the forest becomes your playground, connecting you to a trail network that is organized around three main sections, the Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail, the Main Loop and Canada’s iconic Bruce Trail.  

Click here for the Dundas Valley trail map. 

The Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail runs 32 kilometres (about 19.88 miles) end-to-end and is part of the Trans Canada Trail. Heading West on Mineral Springs Road, you will connect with the Rail Trail and have a choice to head West to Brantford or East to Hamilton.  Used by cyclists, walkers, and equestrians alike, this trail is Canada’s first inter-urban trail.  

The Main Loop is a rugged 3.5- kilometres (about 2.17 mile) trail that meanders up hill and down, through forests, across streams, hemlock groves, an old orchard and meadow.  

The area is home to many birds and wildlife as well as Carolinian Forests.  

 Adjacent to the trail are the Hermitage Ruins, a stone mansion built in the 1850s and the folklore surrounding its former inhabitants.  

The Main Loop hike takes about an hour and a half, with many trails branching from it, including the Monarch Trail.  

The Monarch Trail is 5  kilometres (3 miles) one way and takes roughly 3.5 hours. It can be reached at the top of the old orchard near the picnic pavilion. Taking this trail to Groundhog Hill, you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the Dundas Valley.  

Going the distance   

The Dundas Valley Conservation Area is open 7 days a week, sunrise to sunset unless otherwise posted. 

As one of many spaces maintained by the Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA), it relies on donations and fees to operate. A day pass is available here. 

You can enjoy year-round access to HCA by purchasing a membership pass online here. Passes can also be purchased at the Hamilton Conservation Authority office adjacent to the FLO chargers from 8:30a.m. – 4:30p.m., Monday to Friday (except holidays). 

The pass will allow you and your vehicle passengers (up to 6 people total) into all HCA conservation areas, including: 

• Christie Lake 
• Crooks’ Hollow 
• Devil’s Punchbowl 
• Dundas Valley 
• Eramosa Karst 
• Fifty Point 
• Spencer Gorge* 
• Tiffany Falls 
• Valens Lake 
• Westfield Heritage Village 

*The Spencer Gorge and Dundas Peak are so popular during the fall, that reservations are required by all visitors, including Hamilton Conservation Area Members.  

When charging at the Hamilton Conservation Authority office, you have the chance to build your own adventure! From a quick 2-kilometre (1.24-mile) hike to something more strenuous, you can enjoy some of Ontario’s best scenery.  

Start by planning your route to the Hamilton Conservation Authority office at 838 Mineral Springs Road, in Ancaster, Ontario today using the FLO app. 

Read more: Travel guide: Planning your EV road trip 

 We want to know where you will go with FLO!   

Tag @FLOEVCharging and use the hashtag #gowithflo on your EV journey.   

You can absolutely go the distance in an EV, all it takes is a little research and planning … and isn’t that half the fun?  

If you are looking for another interesting adventure in Ontario, why not consider Grey County – from beaches to boating, fishing to skiing and snowboarding, waterfalls to lush forests, hiking and biking trails, incredible restaurants and local produce, the region has been a four-season destination for decades. The town of Thornbury has FLO EV chargers in prime locations at the Marina and on Mill Street.   

Read more: Where will you go with FLO?

 Until next time, be safe, enjoy the ride, and take care of the environment while you’re out and about!