Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park will be THE winter destination to explore this season, and that’s thanks to its thrilling ice skating loop.
The Ontario park is a scenic beauty through all seasons, but it truly comes alive in the winter.
Let’s be real, for us here in Toronto, this park is not day-trip-worthy. It’ll take you about 15 hours, more or less, to get there.
But that doesn’t mean you should scratch this spot off your bucket list. If you’re itching for an adventure, maybe the journey is worth it, especially for lovers of the outdoors.
According to Ontario Parks, the skating trail is “coming together and will be open soon.”
Kakabeka Falls ice skating
The skating trail, which launched last winter, is a 160-metre-long loop located off the Luckens Road entrance, next to the ski trails. It can be enjoyed daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Just be sure to bring your skates and helmet as rentals are not available here.
Besides skating, there’s still so much more to do at Kakabeka Falls in the winter.
What else can you do at Kakabeka Falls this winter?
For those looking for more winter adventures, the park also offers several groomed cross-country skiing trails. With 15 km of trails available, both beginners and intermediate skiers can enjoy the snowy terrain.
According to the parks, the campground roads in Whispering Hills, Poplar Point, Beaver Meadow, and River Terrace Trails have skate and classic lanes, too.
If skiing isn’t your thing, snowshoeing is another great option. Ontario Parks recommends the Mountain Portage Trail, an “easy loop” that offers stunning views of the falls, gorge, and river. Looking for more of a challenge? Try out the Little Falls Trail.
As for the park’s namesake, Kakabeka Falls, it transforms in the winter and typically freezes over. An ice sheet forms on the face of the waterfall, but the water beneath it still flows.
Nicknamed “the Niagara of the North,” the falls are a centrepiece of the surrounding provincial park, which offers stunning scenery, easy hiking trails, and a pedestrian bridge that provides breathtaking views from both sides of the cascading waters.
Reservation required
Sound like a magical winter adventure? It sure is! You’ll want to make a reservation online for a two-hour or four-hour daily vehicle permit. These can be purchased at the front gatehouse from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., but if you’re travelling from far, book it online. For a two-hour permit, it’s priced at $6.50 after tax, while a four-hour permit is priced at $8.50 after tax.
So whether you’re lacing up your skates, strapping on snowshoes, or simply admiring the frozen beauty of the falls, Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park is a must-visit winter wonderland this season.
As for the ice loops’ opening date, we’ll be sure to update you once it’s announced.
Kakabeka Falls
Where: Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park, Ont.
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