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Did you know that Ontario’s Kakabeka Falls is known for being “the Niagara Falls of the North”? It’s an all-season treat but a must-visit in the winter.
This massive waterfall is the second-highest in Ontario, and during the coldest season in the province, it typically freezes over. Though this natural work of art becomes a sightseeing winter wonderland, it is not day-trip worthy if you’re coming from Toronto.
It’ll take you about 15 hours, more or less, to get there. So you’ll want to plan ahead for a longer trip.
According to Destination Ontario, Kakabeka Falls stands at an impressive 40 meters, making it the second-highest waterfall in Ontario, trailing Niagara Falls.
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.
Where can I get the best views of Kakabeka Falls?
If you’re looking for the best views, Ontario Parks tells Curiocity that enjoying the sights from the viewing platforms located around the Boardwalk and Mountain Portage trails is best.
“Each platform provides a unique view of the Falls and the Kaministiquia River Gorge environment,” Ontario Parks said.
Does Kakabeka Falls freeze over the winter?
Getting the best views is a must, as over the winter, Kakabeka Falls typically freezes over “when the water flow passing through the Kakabeka Falls Generating Station Control Dam is restricted,” Ontario Parks added.
“This results in a unique viewing opportunity as an ice sheet is formed on the face of the waterfall, and the flow of water can still be heard as water movement continues to occur below the surface of the ice.”
If there is significant snowfall, the Boardwalk trail will be cleared, along with the viewing pods surrounding the gorge during the winter season. That won’t be the case for the Mountain Portage and Little Falls trails. These will remain open during the winter, but according to Ontario Parks, “snow is not cleared as these trails are used for snowshoeing during the winter months.”
You’ve been warned!
Winter activities at Kakabeka Falls
Add that to the list of winter activities to partake in the area. “Winter visitors to Kakabeka Falls can enjoy a unique seasonal view of the waterfall, hike or snowshoe the Mountain Portage and Little Falls trails or cross-country ski on the Whispering Hills, Polar Point, or Beaver Meadows trails, which are groomed for both classic and skate skiing techniques,” shared Ontario Parks.
There’s also a skating trail, which launched last winter, located off the Luckens Road entrance, next to the ski trails. It’s a 160-metre-long loop that 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.
If winter activities are on the itinerary for the day, be sure to wear appropriate winter attire. Warm coats, hats, gloves, and sturdy footwear are a must. Be sure to purchase your daily vehicle permits that are available up to five days in advance online, by phone at 1-888-668-7275, or upon arrival at the Park Gatehouse, open every day from 8:30 a.m., to 4:00 p.m.
It’s definitely a sight worth seeing. So if you’re up for the drive or live nearby, Kakabeka Falls is calling your name this winter.
Kakabeka Falls
Where: Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park, Ontario
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