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One of the best hikes in the world is the
DELLA FALLS TRAIL
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Challenging hiking on the west coast to North America's highest "cascading" waterfall 440m (1443ft). Seen only by the adventurous who manage transport on Great Central Lake to the trailhead.
Connecting hikes:
AT A GLANCE
STRATHCONA PROVINCIAL PARK, BC, CANADA 
- very
 remote though only 60km (37mi) from Port Alberni, BC
- crystal clear creeks, temperate rainforest and an impressive waterfall
- about 15.5km (9.6mi) easy walking to the base of the Falls. Another 3.5km (1.9mi) steep climbing to Love Lake with views. Most hikers backtrack from there.
- 5-8hrs from the lake to the base of the Falls. A couple of hours more to get to the top.
- 3 days, 2 nights round trip if you get to the trailhead by power boat.
- 5 days, 6 nights using kayak or canoe.
- July - Sept best months
- 350m (1150ft) elevation gain
WHY WE LIKE THIS HIKE
- the difficulty of access keeps it little visited
- historic artifacts from the early days of logging and mining
- difficult sidetrip scramble alongside the Falls up to Della Lake is a dramatic add-on
- no hiking permit required
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CONSIDERATIONS
A hike for experienced backcountry types only. The Drinkwater Valley can be very challenging and you are a long distance from help if something goes wrong.
- transportation to the trailhead by water needed
- you must be bear aware (fortunately there are no Grizzlies, only Black Bears on the Island)
- cougars live there
- slight avalanche risk in some areas, sometimes in the Spring
- flooding and high water also a problem sometimes in the Spring. Bridges are in place but high water may still make the trail impassible
- route finding may be necessary on overgrown sections
- light weight backpacking stove required
- snow can linger into July
- some hikers report the trip being colder than expected
- in August 2000 BC Parks listed the trail "not maintained" after storm damage. It's back to normal now.
- biting insects are a problem at lower elevations especially early in the season
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No hiking permit required.
ROUTES
- the Della Falls Trail trailhead is a developed campground with
bear lockers (reported removed in 2007), pit toilet and canoe / kayak rack
- Margerette Creek and Della Falls Campsites do have bear lock-ups
- the trail begins on old logging roads
- sections of the 16km (10mi) trail to Della may be challenging
- the recommended trail from the base of the Falls upwards are steep switchbacks up from the old sawmill to Love Lake
- some hikers miss the turnoff trail to Love Lake
- a far more difficult scramble is possible alongside the Falls up to Della Lake
- people hike to Della Falls in the off-season, but it's a far more difficulty winter expedition
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INDEPENDENT OR GUIDED?
Only one company guides this hike:
LOGISTICS
- the best major airports for this adventure are Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia. Public transport is available to take you to Port Alberni, the jumping off point for most hikers.
- no public transport is available past Port Alberni. You'd have to rent a vehicle or find someone to drive you further.
- Buy your food, fuel and anything else you might need in Port Alberni.
- most hikers boat, canoe or kayak 35km (21.7mi) from the Ark Resort (which has secure parking for a fee) on Great Central Lake to the Della Falls trailhead
- The Ark Resort offers water-taxi service, getting you close to the trail head for $110 per person, return, two people minimum (2007)
- you need no permit to hike, but Water Taxi service providers are required to have a permit to carry you.
- alternately, Ark will rent canoes for $60 per day, expensive we feel.
- Della Falls Trail - BritishColumbia.com - lists another driving route which shortens the distance on water
- if paddling, know that the lakeshore does not offer many good campsite possibilities
- weather is always a consideration here. Afternoon winds can be very strong.
- ... add a comment here
LOCAL INFORMATION
The best source is the Arc Resort, we think.
BEST TREKKING GUIDEBOOKS
The Hiking Trails guide is by far the best we've seen. It's being revised yet again, we understand, so watch for a new edition.
BEST MAPS
On-line maps
BEST WEB PAGES
After this page, the best links are
BEST PHOTOS & TRIP REPORTS
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