The hike to Wapta Falls was mostly flat (or with a slight uphill) for at least the first kilometer as we were flanked by pretty Autumn colors on the foliage of low-lying bush and trees. Wapta Falls are a hidden jewel in BC. Short hikes and walks. It’s best to buy a waterproof backpack or bring a large plastic bag to cover the backpack if it starts raining during your hike. Great hike, great view. Visiting Wapta Falls in Winter The next thing to bear in mind is that although this is a 2.4km hike in summer, the access road isn’t cleared in winter. Wapta is the third largest in Canada, by water volume. The size of the falls was much bigger than I expected. Beautiful day! For maps, detailed route finding and trail descriptions, visit the Yoho Visitor Centre or purchase a hiking guide book and topographical map. About 10km return in the winter. This is an Amazing Hike and 8.8 km roundtrip. Tip: If you are staying at a hotel ask at the front desk if they have any extra bear spray. Allow 90 minutes to 2 hours to enjoy some time at the waterfall by the Kicking Horse River. very easy and straight forward hike from the lot directly off highway 1. my hands were in my pockets and my head was up right up until the last 200 meters where you zig zag down to the falls. That’s because there is a large dirt/rock pile obstructing a good portion of the view. A lot of travelers will leave theirs behind since they can’t take it on a plane. A couple of logs make great benches for your picnic or rest spot. It’s an easy hike to Wapta Falls and so worth it! I always stop at Truffle Pigs when I get a chance – great food and the location is gorgeous! Amazing views! From Banff to Wapta Falls is 110 km (68 miles) and takes about 75 minutes to drive. Beautiful Hike to Wapta Falls Yoho National Park British Columbia, Takakkaw Falls Yoho National Park British Columbia, Emerald Lake BC Weekend Getaway in Yoho National Park Canada, Joffre Lakes Hike – 3 Beautiful Glacial Lakes – Perfect Whistler Day Trip, 7-Day Itinerary Lafayette Louisiana Cajun Country USA, Largest waterfall on the Kicking Horse River, Are dogs allowed on Wapta Falls trail? Bug Spray– or the mosquitoes may enjoy a picnic lunch at your expense. Need spikes near the falls. To access the hiking trail to Wapta Falls in Yoho National Park, from the Beaverfoot FSR, continue east on Highway 1 for 5.4km. The waterfall is accessed relatively easily via a 30 minute hike from the Trans Canada Highway. Have a look at this map of Yoho National Park from Parks Canada to familiarize yourself with the area. However, there is … Keep reading for all the info you need to hike Wapta Falls in Yoho National Park. Spikes would be great to have if you want to venture down to the falls. Now the views of the waterfall are even more spectacular by the river. Susan Moore spent 7 months traveling solo around Southeast Asia back in the 90's. All in all, this is one of my favorite hikes in the Canadian Rockies for a relaxed, fun day. Wapta Falls in Yoho National Park is an easy hiking trail and good for solo hikers or families with kids. The waterfall is accessed relatively easily with just a 30-34 minute hike through the woods. The easy, well-maintained trail to Wapta Falls travels gradually through the forest to the “Niagara of Yoho,” a 150m wide, 30m high, thundering waterfall on the Kicking Horse River. During winter the road to the trailhead may be closed. This short 1.2 mile hike leads you through a relatively level forest to a spot on the Kicking Horse River where the water crashes off a river-wide cliff, producing almost a guaranteed rainbow at the bottom. This closure adds about 2 KM one-way to the hike. I have tried the non-DEET stuff and it didn’t work at all. Amazing View of Falls and Recommend Micro spikes and Poles at last 1 km. I chose Wapta Falls as my first hike – it’s about a 30 minute drive east of Golden. A little icy on trail getting down to bottom, cleats or something would have been nice but can be done with better foot ware. View from across the Kicking Horse River to Wapta Falls. When I hiked Wapta Falls I chose to make a day of it and drive onward a few kilometers to Field BC to enjoy an excellent lunch at Truffle Pigs Bistro. so rewarding highly recommend for families too, Great trail! Wapta is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Canada. The trailhead is at the back of the Whiskey Jack Hostel parking lot – the same as for the Iceline, with which you share the first 1.3km of trail. If you use Google Maps and you only enter “Wapta Falls” you may get directions to the logging road like I did. Prepare to get absolutely drenched with icy cold water spray as you stood proudly at the summit of the rock pile in front of … Wapta Falls at Kicking Horse River makes a perfect day trip from Golden or Field BC, Wapta Falls trail sign in Yoho National Park, Take BC-95 N for 2 km then turn right onto the Trans-Canada Hwy 1A eastbound and continue for 30 km (18 miles). The trail was mostly quiet until we got closer to the Kicking Horse River when we could start to hear the rush of water. While a perfect hike any time you have 2 hours or so, this is a perfect rainy day hike, as you will get wet anyway if you choose to get close to the falls. Sherbrooke Lake is a lake you will DEFINITELY want to hike to while in Yoho National Park. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Most of the waterfalls around BC and Alberta are punchbowl or plunge waterfalls, although Takakkaw Falls is an amazing horsetail waterfall – also close to Golden. Home » North America » Canada » Beautiful Hike to Wapta Falls Yoho National Park British Columbia. I like to bring pumpkin seeds, also beef jerky, crackers, fruit, and cookies. Wapta is a block waterfall – the falls drop from a wide section of the Kicking Horse River and creates a thunderous sound with large amounts of spray. Solo Trips and Tips – a travel blog by Susan Moore, solo female traveler and digital nomad, provides advice, guides, and stories about traveling alone. 116.585142°W. It’s my favorite in the Rockies – I like it even more than Johnston Canyon, my former fave waterfall hike in the Canadian Rockies. The best view of fall is before the hike descending to the fall. Wapta Falls is in Yoho National Park, a beautiful park with remote hikes, rivers, and lakes in central Canada on the border of Alberta and British Colombia. The trail to the left descends sharply and gets you to the river quick. - See 181 traveler reviews, 183 candid photos, and great deals for Yoho National Park, Canada, at Tripadvisor. the road is closed, so this adds 2km one way to the falls. My name is Susan Moore and my love of travel inspired me to become a digital nomad. Field British Columbia is one of the prettiest towns in Canada. Cheers, Susan, Your email address will not be published. The trail starts at the Wapta Falls Trailhead, which is a short drive off the Trans Canadian Highway just south of Field. Easy hike for everyone to celebrate winter!! Plant growing from the shale. Wapta Falls are a hidden jewel in BC. Wapta Falls. We did the trail after a fresh snowfall. While hiking this trail you get to see the waterfall from above and from the shoreline of Kicking Horse River. The trail to the right includes a switchback so the descent is mild, and it only takes a few minutes longer. The road to the trailhead is closed, so adds 2 km one way. The Wapta Falls is a waterfall on the Kicking Horse River in Yoho National Park, British Columbia. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Wapta Falls are seriously gorgeous, the hike is easy, and you can walk right up to the falls when they’re frozen. They are the largest falls of the Kicking Horse River, about 30 meters high and 150 meters wide. So worth the effort to hike to the waterfall! There are lots of great hiking and biking trails in and around Golden. - See 181 traveller reviews, 183 candid photos, and great deals for Yoho National Park, Canada, at Tripadvisor. Wapta Falls can be found near the west end gate of Yoho National Park on the Kicking Horse River. Wapta Falls is a beautiful sight in the Yoho National Park. Wapta Falls Parking: Very easy trail for all levels. parked just off the highway and had to walk 1.7km to get to the trailhead as the road in was closed, but a nice warmup. Hike from Hiway. Enjoyed an afternoon hike to the falls. I saw a couple of tents setup along this road and there is a view of Wapta Falls from this side evidently. There is very little incline, and not far to go before you hear the roar of the falls. Towards the end of the hike there is a section of moderate elevation gain and a fenced area overlooking the Wapta waterfall. Great winter hike, trail was easy to walk. There is limited cell service in Yoho National Park. Parking area is small so you way have to park along the highway. If you want to hike closer to the fall, bring a raincoat. Almost immediately you start to switchback up the side of the Yoho Valley in dense subalpine forest. The Natural Bridge at Kicking Horse River is an amazing spot. Remember that you cannot bring bear spray on an airplane. The frozen falls are easily accessible and even in -20° Learn how your comment data is processed. The average flow rate can reach 254 cubic meters per second. Absolutely gorgeous mountains and waterfalls. The Burgess Shale in the Rocky Mountains is loaded with fossils. The size of the falls was much bigger than I expected. Wapta Falls: Peaceful hike to the falls - See 181 traveler reviews, 183 candid photos, and great deals for Yoho National Park, Canada, at Tripadvisor. This 9km round trip hike. What I love about Wapta Falls is the width of the falls, it’s really a grand sight to see! The hike to Sherbrooke Lake was an easy 3.2 mile out-and-back trail without much elevation gain. Wapta Falls are a hidden jewel in BC. NOTE: There is no signage for Wapta Falls when heading west on the Trans-Canada Hwy 1A because there is no left-turn lane for westbound traffic. I took snowshoes and they were good. There is even a little sandy beach towards the end where you cannot go further alongside the river. Spikes helped out huge closer to the falls. Bring your refillable water bottle – I always bring two stainless steel water bottles. Be sure to climb to the top of the hill to see the falls. On Google Maps it’s listed as “Wapta Falls Main Trail” so make sure you pick that one from the search results if you are looking for directions to Wapta Falls. Pack something to eat at the waterfall or along the trail. The size of the falls was much bigger than I expected. Remember it’s always a good idea to pack the 10 Essentials on every hike. You don’t want to get caught off guard – lacking the basic supplies like waterproof matches or a compass when you really need it! After the first fence, there's a trail down to the left. absolutely beautiful. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking and is best used from June until September. Take the Trans-Canada Hwy 1A west to Yoho National Park west boundary, turn around and drive eastbound on Hwy 1A for about 3 km, watch for the Wapta Falls sign. The name comes from a Nakoda word meaning "river". Check the trail conditions at Parks Canada before you drive to the trailhead. So far I’ve been okay bringing it in my car while crossing back and forth at the USA-Canada border. 51.203930°N The trail is often muddy. Now I enjoy traveling while still earning a living as a bookkeeper. But you may want to pack a full picnic lunch. I drove in the oncoming lane because I thought my little Yaris would get stuck in the dirt. Currently Susan is in year 5 of a solo road trip around the USA and Canada, living a nomadic life, and writing about her experiences with a focus on hiking and cultural encounters. If you want to hike closer to the fall, bring a raincoat. Ice cleats would have been a good idea for some of the steeper parts. Wapta Falls is an easy 5 km return hike in Yoho National Park in British Columbia, along a treed path to a beautiful waterfall at the end.Though fairly flat, the trail ends in a slight incline to get to the falls but is a great trail for beginner hikers and for kids. Wapta falls is lovely to look at, don't get too close! Bear spray is another essential when you are hiking in bear country. Trailhead: Wapta Lake Trailhead; Sherbrooke Lake Hike. These are two of nature’s best sites in the Yoho park. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. As mentioned by others, spikes are helpful but not necessary if careful. Along with the 10 essentials that you should bring on every hike I would also take insect repellent to the Wapta Falls hike. I’ve seen photos of Wapta Falls in the winter so you could hike this trail in the snow. The flow of the water eroded away much of the rock at one point – leaving a natural bridge across the Kicking Horse. Easy winter hike. spikes are not necessary when there is fresh snow, but good footwear definitely is. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. While I suppose I could have hiked to the falls from this location, although nowhere to park without blocking the road. very icy going down to the falls especially taking the shortcut we did lol. Getting There. The snowy mound in front is also a lot of fun to play around on. Also bring shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty because sections of the trail will likely have some muddy areas. After getting back on the Trans-Canada it was a short drive to the Wapta trailhead. While popular in the summer, this is also an excellent winter destination. She later moved to Austin Texas where she started a bookkeeping business, allowing her to work remotely. A 5 km easyl hike from the parking lot to the water fall. Wapta Falls: Not my hike! Your email address will not be published. Thanks for stopping by the blog. The pebbled shoreline of the Kicking Horse River. The best view of fall is before the hike descending to the fall. After hiking down to the river there is a lot of room to enjoy a picnic lunch with the waterfall in view. Icy throughout the trail, so cleats highly recommended! Grips recommended. The town is surrounded by the Rocky Mountains and the location provides easy access to several national parks in BC and Alberta. Sunscreen – especially on sunny days but also for overcast days too – protect your skin from UV rays. Very enjoyable walk. At the Falls the lower… So I went back to using the DEET insect repellent. Beautiful Wapta Falls is your reward on this hiking trail in Yoho National Park. Susan Moore (Solo Trips And Tips) is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. While we snowshoed in, many people were walking in boots or with spikes. Wapta Falls is one of many trails in very impressive Yoho National Park, located in Eastern British Columbia along Highway 1 near the town of Golden. Komoot user David recorded a hike: Wapta Falls. Yes dogs are allowed but must be on leash at all times Facilities: Pit toilets at trailhead our total distance was 9km. The power of the waterfall was amazing – all those negative ions put you in a good mood for sure – and the scenery is stunning in Yoho National Park. Wapta Falls recreation site is on the left at the 7km mark on the Beaverfoot Forest Service Road. I went the extra bit and climbed down to the river and beside the falls. Also, I didn’t care to hike alone in bear country on a backcountry trail. The perfect short hike to stop at. Wapta Falls: Great destination hike - See 181 traveller reviews, 183 candid photos, and great deals for Yoho National Park, Canada, at Tripadvisor. Wapta Falls is a family and pet-friendly hike in the quiet, west end of Yoho National Park. North of Lake Louise take the Trans-Canada Highway west toward Yoho and Golden. Conditions were good for cleats/crampons or snowshoes. Wapta Falls: Excellent hike to Wapta Falls! The Wapta Falls trail is a beautiful hike through the forest with little elevation gain at the beginning. In July I took a solo road trip from Calgary to Golden BC and enjoyed 10 days exploring the area. Enter your email address below to receive updates each time we publish new content. An extra 2km each way in the winter from Hwy 1 to the trailhead. Spikes would have been handy for a small portion but doable without (especially if you don’t mind sliding on your bum :)), The lower parking lot was not plowed , so couldn’t turn in off Hwy. will be coming back to run this trail in the summer for sure, Gorgeous falls. Related posts about British Columbia hiking trails: Tags: British Columbia, National Parks, Solo Travel, Waterfalls. Nice easy hike to the falls. Sunhat or baseball cap is always a good idea when hiking – protection from the sun, rain, and ticks. Snowshoe or hike. You may want to bring microspikes. The best view of fall is before the hike descending to the fall. beautiful weather. Bring a picnic lunch. The Wapta Falls Trail is a great day hike in Yoho National Park that I recommend to anyone who wants a taste of the Canadian Rockies! Hiking Wapta Falls Trail Duration: 4.6 km (2.9 miles) round trip Type of hike: Out and back Elevation gain: 30 m (98 ft) Difficulty: easy Are dogs allowed on Wapta Falls trail? A 5 km easyl hike from the parking lot to the water fall. See this route and plan your own adventure with komoot! Overall 9 km round trip. Flat easy 9km round trip. I thought that I should take a side road that I just passed so I returned to take the turn-off but only drove around 200 m when a huge pothole filled with water caused me to turn around. I carry mine clipped to my backpack waist strap so that I can access it easily. Absolutely stunning. I run my business on the road! Back on the gravel road a grader was leveling the recently dumped sand/gravel mix on the road. Google Maps had me turning at the Beaverfoot Rd and driving on a dirt and gravel road then announced “you’ve arrived” while in the middle of nowhere basically. Wapta Falls can be found near the west end of Yoho National Park on the Kicking Horse River. Good little winter hike! It's steeper but provides some pretty nice views of the falls. Looking at the Google Maps again I noticed the error and searched again with “Wapta Falls trailhead” and received the correct directions. Your best bet to avoid crowds is to visit midweek, early in the morning or around dinner time. Highly recommend. Hiking to Wapta Falls: Viewpoints Wapta Falls is a bit unique in that you don’t get a completely clear view of the falls, even from the base. Wapta Falls: Short Easy Hike - See 179 traveler reviews, 169 candid photos, and great deals for Yoho National Park, Canada, at Tripadvisor. This waterfall is amazing. Beautiful easy hike, can get close to the falls if your careful, Relatively easy...beautiful hike through the forest to the falls, amazing trail . With the added 1.7km from the parking lot it comes out to around 8km and about 2-2.5 hours. There are a few trees to step over along the trail. You can see this from above, but it’s even more pronounced when you … On my hike there was a short rain shower followed by mosquitoes in abundance. Wapta Falls, Yoho National Park: See 182 reviews, articles, and 184 photos of Wapta Falls, ranked No.5 on Tripadvisor among 18 attractions in Yoho National Park. Great hike for a family. Bring a small backpack to carry your picnic lunch and other supplies for the hike. Wapta Falls is a 3.2 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Field, British Columbia, Canada that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. Remember that using DEET insect spray also protects against ticks! Both Emerald Lake and Natural Bridge get crowded with tourists in the summer high season. 9km round trip with minimal elevation. Take in the scenery and then continue down to the river – there are two trails to choose from. Required fields are marked *. Wapta Falls, Yoho National Park: See 182 reviews, articles, and 184 photos of Wapta Falls, ranked No.5 on Tripadvisor among 18 attractions in Yoho National Park. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This is a nice hike if you need to stretch your legs from a long day of driving or a great addition to a day of hiking. you have to step over or under 4 or 5 small fallen trees across the path. Yes dogs are allowed but must be on leash at all times. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking and is best used from June until September. very worthwhile. This adds an additional 2km in each direction in winter, making the grand total round trip approximately 8.8km. One is small so I have a reserve 40 oz water bottle in my backpack. I hope to get one more visit there this summer before I head south again. This particular trail is very popular, and for a good reason, as it is short, easy, and leads to a huge waterfall. This hike offers a beautiful view of impressive falls. The trail doesn’t require crampons and is quite easy, however once you reach the falls, crampons will help you climb the icy hill up to get a better view of the falls. Remember to bring crampons if you hike in winter. Watch for the Wapta Falls sign and turn right – continue about 1.5 km to the parking lot. Wear hiking shoes or sneakers with good grip on the sole. Beautiful Wapta waterfall Yoho park Canada. Road is closed so adds 2km one way. Google Maps Link. And bring a picnic lunch for the perfect picnic by a waterfall. A must to go all the way to the falls. Wapta Falls is a 5.1 kilometer heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Field, British Columbia, Canada that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. A hike for all skill levels. An old wooden pipe lingers on the side of the trail – the water supply for the original hostel. Get down to bottom. After my lunch of mixed berry pie and Poke salad I drove back westbound on the Trans-Canada highway and took the turnoff for Emerald Lake and Natural Bridge. It is 4.4 kilometre each way out and back route. Wapta Falls hike Map Looking for an amazing hiking adventure? Join us on a beautiful winter hike to a stunning frozen waterfall. 9km round trip from the highway. Hi! Incredible views from down there. The waterfall is in Yoho National Park – one of seven national parks in BC. The falls are especially beautiful in the winter when the water is flowing heavily. Can’t wait to come back in the summer. A 5 km easyl hike from the parking lot to the water fall. Hi Jo! Returning to Canada she found a job working on rotation in Siberia Russia. The mosquitoes can be relentless, especially after rainfall. The absolutely magnificent Wapta Falls rewards the slippery, clay-covered hike down from the badly signposted and pot-holed parking lots. This would be a nice family hike with very little elevation gain. You can hike around Emerald Lake for wonderful views of the mountains and mirror images reflected onto Emerald Lake. Wapta Falls in the winter is simply stunning and the hike in is worth the payoff at the end. Our blog post covers our snowshoeing trip in …
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