Researchers say a road trip with your family or friends relieves stress. Especially in our hectic lives nowadays, a weekend getaway has become a necessity.
But where do you go for a road trip? It is a major question. We all look for places that are worth our time and money. Today, we have brought a solution to your query.
1. About Takakkaw Falls
Takakkaw Falls, found in the hills of Yoho National Park, is a mesmerizing sight. It is among the most beautiful places to visit in the Canadian Rockies.
Yoho National Park, located in British Columbia, Canada, is home to spectacular landscapes, wowed mountain peaks, and lakes like Emerald Lake and Lake OโHara.
After the Della Falls, Takakkaw Falls is the second tallest waterfall in Canada, with a total height of 1224 feet, spreading mist and spray all around as you get closer to it.
โTakakkawโ is a Cree word which means โmagnificent.โ The name of the falls is very explicitly chosen, looking at its impeccable and jaw-dropping beauty
The Falls have the meltwater of Daly Glacier, Niles, and several other small glaciers, although the stream that comes from Daly Glacier is one of the largest.
2. How To Reach
The nearest town to Takakkaw Falls is Field. From the Field, it takes hardly a half-hour drive to get to Takakkaw Falls.
If you are taking the Lake Louise route, get on Highway 1, which follows up to Field Township, and from Field, take the Yoho Valley Road.
However, remember that the Yoho Valley Road works seasonally from late June till mid-October, making these nearly four months the only period when you can access Takakkaw Falls.
Once you come on the Yoho Valley Road leading to the Yoho National Park, you will find Takakkaw Falls at the end of this very road.
There is no public transportation facility to reach Takakkaw Falls, so renting a car or having your vehicle will be easier.
3. When To Visit
It is obvious that as falls have water flowing down, the waterfall will freeze when the temperature goes down.
So, speaking of the best time to visit Takakkaw Falls, it will be early summer. In the summer, the volume of Takakkaw Falls is at its maximum because it is a glacier-fed waterfall.
When the heavy snow of the glaciers almost melts in late spring, the falls reach their epoch, making late spring a suitable season to visit Takakkaw Falls.
Due to the vast height of Takakkaw Waterfalls, the waterfall looks incredibly stunning during summer, and even in autumn, it shines above all.
4. Takakkaw Falls In Winter
As we know, Yoho Valley Road is closed during winter, but what if someone wants to visit Takakkaw Falls in winter?
Donโt worry! There is always an alternative for everything; you only need research and a little bravery to choose the substitute.
You can access Takakkaw Falls by cross-country skiing in winter. But as this is an avalanche route, you will require proper training and sharp gear skills before you decide to take this path to reach Takakkaw Falls.
5. Amazing Activities to Do in Takakkaw Falls
The second-tallest waterfall in Canada provides you with some spectacular activities to do. Read this article further to learn more about these fun activities.
Letโs get started!
5.1. Emerald Lake In Yoho National Park
Yoho National Park is home to 61 lakes and ponds, among which Emerald Lake is the largest. Emerald Lake, along with Takakkaw Falls, is the most enticing spot of the Yoho National Park.
The turquoise blue color of the lake just works as a cherry on top of a cake. The beautiful hue created along with the nearby mountains is a stunning view.
Along the shoreline of Emerald Lake is Emerald Lake Lodge.
5.1.1. Emerald Lake Lodge
This lodge has fulfilled all the conditions in terms of the โ free from technologyโ arena. The rooms of this lodge neither have televisions nor mobile networks so that you can take a break from your busy life.
But, if something significant occurs, you may use the Wi-Fi available at the main lodge.
The rich history inside the walls of this lodge will fascinate you. The lodge has exceptionally good facilities, a dining area, an antique-looking fireplace, huge verandas with reading and sitting areas, and a games room.
5.2. Wapta Falls
This fall is smaller than Takakkaw Falls, standing at a height of 98 feet. Wapta Falls is located on the Kicking Horse River in Yoho National Park and is the largest waterfall.
Wapta Falls is accessible by a half-hour hike from the Trans Canada Highway. This safe and easy hike is suitable for the whole family.
The name Wapta Falls is derived from the icefield that feeds both Takakkaw Falls and Wapta Falls.
5.3. Takakkaw Falls Hike
To enjoy your visit to Takakkaw Falls, try getting as close to the waterfall as possible.
A finely leveled trail will guide you from the Yoho National Park parking lot to the stone bridge, although you can easily see Takakkaw Falls from the parking lot. As you move further, you will get the best view from the hike.
This natural bridge, made of rocks cut by the Kicking Horse River, will trail you to Takakkaw Falls. This trail is not long, only 1.3 kilometers in and out.
The well-maintained Takakkaw Falls trails are perfect for every kind of family, ranging from those who have toddlers to those with elderly citizens.
5.4. Camping
The front-country campground of Takakkaw Falls is 300 meters from the parking area. And if you plan on camping, remember that the campgrounds of Takakkaw Falls are just like some hotels; the booking immediately gets full as Takakkaw season begins.
The campsite works on a first-come-first-serve basis.
This campground is a short walk from the falls and acts as the main trailhead to Laughing Falls, Twin Falls, Whaleback Trail, and Iceline Trail. It also works as a gateway to the Little Yoho Valley.
If you want back-country camping with a little wilderness, you would like to head to Laughing Falls.
A National Park pass is required for camping and even for entering the park, and it operates only from June to October.
5.5. Spiral Tunnels
The Spiral Tunnels are a massive accomplishment of Canadian Engineering. This system allows the trains to pass through the rocky mountains.
The trains going along this way would spiral and make their way up the hill in steps.
The construction of this tunnel finished in 1909 and is still being worked.
If you stand on the viewpoints within Yoho, you can see around 30ย trains passing through the spiral tunnels daily.
5.6. Rock Climbing
This thundering waterfall also allows us to enjoy an amazing climb. To reach the top wall beside the fall, you need to climb ten pitches of rocks ranging from 5.4 to 5.6.
As you reach the top, you will find a hidden cave leading to the mountain cliffโs backside.
6. Must Know About The Park
6.1. Yoho Valley Road
This road, also known as Takakkaw Falls Road, is very steep and narrowly located in British Columbia, the westernmost province of Canada.
Found in the southeastern part of this province, the road is 13.7 kilometers long, stretching from the Trans Canada Highway to the parking area of Takakkaw Falls.
6.2. Kicking Horse River
The uncanny name of the river is taken from a real-life incident with James Hector while exploring the surrounding area.
In 1858, James Hector was kicked by a runaway horse right in the chest and was about to be buried alive until his friends realized that he had just been knocked out of his senses.
What a bizarre incident from which to derive a name!
7. Afterword
This second-tallest waterfall in Canada is an amazing weekend getaway spot with numerous activities available. Parks Canada sets the fees, rules, and regulations, so you need to get visitor safety information verified. Also, donโt forget to get your Parks Canada Pass.
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty
