Eramosa Karst Conservation Area

86 Upper Mount Albion Road, Stoney Creek, ON L8J 0B1

Phone: 289-860-0363

Email: mountain@conservationhamilton.ca

Activities at Eramosa Karst Conservation Area

Open 7 days a week, from sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise posted.

September 29: Washrooms are closed at Eramosa Karst for repairs. This notice will be removed when they reopen.

Visitors should be aware of increased coyote activity at Eramosa Karst. Learn more about living with coyotes.

About Eramosa Karst Conservation Area

Fees: Parking is $8.00 per day; free with HCA Membership Pass.

Looking for an exciting natural adventure? Venture through the Eramosa Karst; filled with underground caves and streams, meadows and forests! As one of the watershed’s most unique natural gems, it’s the perfect location for hiking, nature appreciation and education.

Recreational Trails

More than 7km of trails, boardwalks and bridges take you through escarpment forests, meadows, unique geological formations and a beautiful natural amphitheatre. Interpretive panels throughout display facts about the area’s natural inventory and history.

Eramosa Karst trail map

Education

The diversity of geological and hydrological features, and its central location in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, makes the Eramosa Karst one of the best sites in Ontario for education and research opportunities. Click here for more information on HCA education programs.

Geology

Karsts are geological formations including underground drainage, caves and passages caused by dissolving rock, found in limestone formations like the Niagara Escarpment. The Eramosa Karst contains examples of 16 different karst features and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources designated the Eramosa Karst lands as an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest in 2003. It is believed to have the largest number of unique karst features in any single area in the province.

Several of its karst features are provincially significant, including: soil pipes, a high concentration of suffosion dolines and sinking streams, overflow sinks, dry valleys and a 335 metre-long cave (the tenth longest in all of Ontario). There is also a natural dolomitic limestone bridge at the entrance of one of the sinkholes. The surface and groundwater drainage system that created the karst originated about 13,000 years ago, after the last glacier retreated. Today the drainage system sustains the karst and provides examples of karst processes and features in different stages of development.

Accessible Parking

86 Upper Mount Albion Road Parking Lot – 3 spaces

Eramosa Karst Conservation Area

86 Upper Mount Albion Road, Stoney Creek, ON L8J 0B1

Phone: 289-860-0363

Email: mountain@conservationhamilton.ca

Activities at Eramosa Karst Conservation Area

Open 7 days a week, from sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise posted.

About Eramosa Karst Conservation Area

Recreational Trails

Education

Geology

Accessible Parking

Area Quick Links

Eramosa Karst Conservation Area Image Gallery

Join Our Mailing List!

Current Water Levels

Water Level Explanations

Flood Status Explanations

	Normal No low water conditions exist.
	Level 1 Water users are asked to voluntarily reduce consumption by 10 percent. Precipitation totals are less than 80 percent of long-term averages and/or 30-day average streamflows are less than 100 / 70 percent (springtime / otherwise) of the minimum of the long-term average monthly flows for summer months.
	Level 2 Water users are asked to voluntarily reduce consumption by 20 percent. Precipitation totals are less than 60 percent of long-term averages and/or 30-day average streamflows are less than 70 / 50 percent (springtime / otherwise) of the minimum of the long-term average monthly flows for summer months.
	Level 3 There is also potential for economic harm to water takers and/or significant harm to the ecosystem. The Hamilton Water Response Team may ask the province to impose mandatory restrictions on those holding Permits to Take Water. Precipitation totals are less than 40 percent of long-term averages and/or 30-day average streamflows are less than 50 / 30 percent (springtime / otherwise) of the minimum of the long-term average monthly flows for summer months.

	Normal No flood conditions exist.
	Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety High flows, unsafe banks, melting ice or other factors that could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc. Flooding is not expected.
	Watershed Conditions Statement - Flood Outlook Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high wind or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams, lakeshore flooding or erosion.
	Flood Watch Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individual landowners in flood-prone areas should prepare.
	Flood Warning Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities and individuals should take action to deal with flood conditions. This may include road closures and evacuations.