Takakkaw Falls Tours

Takakkaw Falls—whose name means “it’s magnificent” in the indigenous Cree language—tumble 1,260 feet (384 meters) down a rocky mountain, making it one of the highest waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies. Located outside Field, British Columbia, the glacier-fed falls are the gateway to some of the best hiking trails in Yoho National Park.

The Basics
Takakkaw Falls towers at more than five times the height of the more-famous Niagara Falls. You can appreciate it from a distance, although if you choose to hike up the 0.3-mile (0.5-kilometer) paved path to the base, you’ll be rewarded with the feeling of cool mist on your face.

Sightseeing tours from Banff and Lake Louise, many of which include round-trip transportation, stop at the falls as well as other viewpoints in the Canadian Rockies, such as the Natural Bridge and Emerald Lake.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Takakkaw Falls are ideal for nature lovers and all first-time visitors to Yoho.
• A Parks Canada fee is required to enter Yoho National Park.
• If you want to extend your visit and do some more hiking, there is a campground not far from the falls. Note that there is a risk of avalanche in the winter, and skiers are advised not to leave the trails without proper avalanche training and safety equipment.
• Pack a picnic and stay a while. There is a free parking lot and a picnic area at the trailhead.
• The falls are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.

How to Get There
Takakkaw Falls are in Yoho National Park, 24 miles (39 kilometers) northwest of Lake Louise, Alberta, and 11 miles (18 kilometers) northeast of Field, British Columbia, on Yoho Valley Road. Switchbacks along the mountain access road are best suited to small vehicles or bikes.

When to Get There
Takakkaw Falls are accessible by road seasonally from spring (mid-May) to fall (mid-September). Yoho is less visited by tourists than neighboring Banff National Park, so you won’t find the same kind of crowds here, even if visiting during peak times, such as on a summer weekend.

Icefields, Glaciers, and Rocky Mountain Waterfalls
Fed by the Daly Glacier from the nearby Wapta Icefields, the frothy blue color of Takakkaw Falls is thanks to the silt in the glacier. Nature lovers will particularly enjoy exploring the awe-inspiring falls and surrounding area, whether as part of a day trip or extended tour.