Hike to Wapta Falls, Yoho National Park

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. The trail starts at the Wapta Falls Trailhead, which is a short drive off the Trans Canadian Highway just south of Field.

After gaining roughly 45 feet through a heavily forested area, the trail drops about 180 feet to the falls. There is a small lookout point at the top of the falls, but the rainbow is only visible if you scramble down to the base of the falls. You can either go straight down from the vista point or backtrack a couple hundred feet to a trail that leads to the river's edge.

There is a large mound in front of the falls that has a trail topping its ridge line. This provides an awesome view of the entire falls if you are willing to get soaked by the spray.