Eugenia Falls and Hoggs Falls Loop Hike

Located next to the small hamlet of Eugenia, the Eugenia Falls and Hoggs Falls Loop is a real hidden gem of a hiking route in Grey County, and that is even considering the fact that this picturesque area sees a fair number of visitors every year due to its popularity as a cottage and skiing destination. While this certainly does increase the amount of hikers on the trail to the point that you should probably arrive early for parking purposes, it is still a relatively unknown route considering its relatively close proximity to Toronto. Certain parts of the trail do close down seasonally, as the areas around the falls can be dangerous during the winter; however, this is a non-issue during the summer months. Be sure to wear decent hiking footwear with ankle support, as some sections of the trail are uneven.

Even with the influx of visitors during cottage season, the Eugenia Falls and Hoggs Falls Loop is an amazing hike that will expose you to some of the most beautiful scenery in Grey County. The trail begins in the charming hamlet of Eugenia, the site of a “gold rush” in 1852 that turned out to be nothing more than a deposit of Pyrite, also known as fool’s gold. From here, you immediately be treated to the sight of the Eugenia Falls before taking a walk through the charming forests of the Beaver Valley. After making your way south along the Boyne River, you will come to Hoggs Falls, a less impressive but still beautiful waterfall that features a hidden rope ladder that will take you down to a pool where you can swim in the refreshing water. This really is a fantastic hiking route in Ontario that you won’t want to miss.

Setting out from the trailhead on Pellisier Street, enter into the cover of the forest and follow the path to the west for a short distance until you arrive at the viewpoint looking out onto Eugenia Falls. Here, you will have an amazing view of the water, as it crashes down 82ft into the lower portion of the Boyne River Below. After taking in the sights, continue along the trail to the south to make your way downhill into the Beaver Valley, reaching the edge of the Lower Valley Road in 0.9mi.

Turn left along the road and follow it for 771ft to eventually pick up a trail on the left. From here, you will climb back up the hillside to the southeast, meandering in and out of the tree cover for the next 1.1mi, where you will cross over a series of small streams. Continue along the trail for another 0.9mi to cross over another stream, following the trail signs marked for Hoggs Falls to descend the hillside.

When you arrive at the edge of the road, cross over to the opposite side and follow the path to the northwest that will eventually bring you to the cascading waterfall. Here, you can either stand on the trail and admire Hoggs Falls from afar, or utilize a slightly hidden rope that will help you descend to the edge of the river for a refreshing swim in the pool below the falls.

After spending some time around the rushing water of the falls, retrace your steps along the trail to cross back over the road. Head left at the junction and make your way north through the forest until you meet back up with the road. Turn right and follow the road for 377ft before branching off to the east along the trail to climb uphill, eventually meeting up with the trail that you followed on your descent into the valley. Turn left here and follow the trail back to the northeast to gain a different perspective of the beautifully wooded valley and the scenic Eugenia Falls on the return journey back to the trailhead where you began your adventure.

Trail Highlights

Eugenia Falls

Located along the Boyne River, the Eugenia Falls plunge 82ft over a dramatic rock face into the lower portion of the river below. The falls are named after the nearby hamlet of Eugenia, which was in turn named after Princess Eugénie, the wife of Emperor Napoleon III.

Hoggs Falls

This charming waterfall along the Boyne River creates some lovely views of the cascading water from the trail. For those hikers that are a little more adventurous, a semi-hidden rope can be used to climb down to the pool below the falls, where you can take a refreshing dip on a hot summer day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Eugenia Falls from Toronto?

From downtown Toronto, the Eugenia Falls are approximately 93.2mi or just a little over a 2 hour drive.