A waterfall in Hamilton. (Shutterstock)

If a person does a Google search on the Internet for City of Waterfalls, it will come up with Hamilton -- the Hamilton 1 1/2 hours from London.

While driving over the Skyway Bridge from Burlington to Hamilton, most people only see industry -- the steel factories and all their smoke stacks.

Next time look beyond, into the distance and you will see a tree-lined escarpment.

The Niagara Escarpment runs the length of Hamilton from Stoney Creek in the east, to Flamborough in the west. Every creek, stream, drainage swale and storm sewer that flows in Hamilton toward Lake Ontario, flows over the Niagara escarpment resulting in one or more waterfalls.

At least 70 waterfalls and cascades have been found, documented and photographed in Hamilton.

The Bruce Trail -- with its several side trails -- and the Chedoke Radial Trail at the Chedoke Civic Golf Course follow the escarpment and provide access to numerous waterfalls.

Several waterfalls have seasonal dry periods. If you must see water, make the trip after a rainfall or choose a waterfall which flows year round. However, even in dry periods, a walk along the Bruce Trail in Hamilton is breathtaking.

Hamilton's waterfalls are not just for viewing one time or in good weather. The views change with the seasons.

The Devil's Punch Bowl located on Ridge Road in the Stoney Creek section of Hamilton is the third highest waterfall in Hamilton at 36 metres. In summer it can be completely dry. However, in winter, it forms an inverted cone of ice.

There is an unusual double waterfall along the Chedoke Radial Trail at Chedoke Civic Golf Course where two waterfalls from two separate creeks come together beside each other.

Their names are the Lower Cliffview Falls and Lower Westcliffe Falls .

The highest waterfall in Hamilton is Tew's Falls at 41 metres. Two viewing platforms have been constructed which provide safe viewing of this waterfall.

If you are looking for tranquility, then head for Canterbury Falls along the Bruce Trail in the Dundas/Ancaster area of Hamilton.

To find directions to these Hamilton waterfalls, visit the following websites:

- http://www.myhamilton.ca/ myhamilton/ArtsSports AndRecreation/outdoor/ Waterfalls.

- http://www.conservation hamilton.ca/parks/visit/water falls.asp

These websites lists 32 of Hamilton's accessible waterfalls and cascades and give directions on how to find them.

The following website lists all 70 waterfalls and cascades in Hamilton, although directions are not given as several are on private property or are too difficult to reach.

- http://www.hamiltonnature .org/localspecies/waterfalls_ intro.htm

If Londoners wish an exciting day trip, then surprisingly, Hamilton's trails may be the place to visit.