Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls

Goldstream Provincial Park

  • Difficulty
    Easy

  • Time
    (Roundtrip)
    0.75 hours

  • Distance
    (Roundtrip)
    1.3km

  • Elevation
    25 meters

  • Dog Friendly
    Yes

  • Public Transportation
    No

  • From Downtown Victoria
    25 minutes

  • Camping
    No

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Special Advisory

Niagara Creek maybe running high with lots of water this time of year, making the tunnel under the highway inaccesible. Please refer to the driving directions below about parking on the west side of the highway.


Overview

Although not the world famous attraction south of Toronto, the Niagara Falls waterfall in Goldstream Provincial Park just north of Victoria is still a spectacular sight. The waterfall is narrow but drops 47.5 meters. The short hike takes you to the canyon a short distance from the base where you can see the water cascading over the rocks from high above and is a perfect stop for anyone traveling through the area.

From the day-use parking lot off of Island Highway (Highway #1), walk northward and away from the picnic area, following the wide gravel trail. At the junction, go left and follow the trail as it passes through a scenic forest before arriving at a bridge with a tunnel on your left that passes under the highway.

You want to walk through this tunnel to continue along the trail on the other side of the highway. Carefully climb down the rocks on the side and step up into the tunnel, making you're way through to the other end where you step out onto a rocky creek bed. Walk to the left of the creek bed and up a small embankment onto a trail and follow that trail uphill. Within a couple minutes, you come around a corner and the view of Niagara Falls is in front of you.

The waterfall is best viewed from the end of the trail or by carefully walking down the small hill at the end to the edge of the creek. It is not advisable to get close to the waterfall as rocks and other debris regularly wash over the edge from high above and can cause serious injury.

After enjoying the view of the waterfall, return to the side of the highway where you parked by walking back down the trail and passing back through the tunnel. After return to the trail, it's worth going left and walking the short distance to the Visitor Center to learn about the history and ecology of the park. There is also a viewpoint next to the Visitor Center from the southern tip of the Saanich Inlet.

Return to the parking lot and picnic area by walk back along the trail you came and going right at the only junction.


Driving Directions

The trail to Niagara Falls in Goldstream Provincial Park is north of Victoria and begins from the parking lot at the day-use area, near the park's Visitor Center. To reach the day-use area parking lot from downtown Victoria, follow Douglas Street northbound and continue driving as you leave the city and the street becomes Island Highway (Highway #1). Continue along the highway for about 20km as the highway becomes a single lane when it enters Goldstream Provincial Park. Watch for signage and turn right at the Goldstream Provincial Park signs that point to the parking area. Immediately after leaving the highway, turn left into the parking lot and look for parking. The trail begins at the far end of the lot.

NOTE: During the winter months, spring months, or after heavy rainfall, Niagara Creek maybe running quite high. This may make the tunnel that passes under the highway inaccessible as a lot of water will be flowing through it, meaning you cannot get from the east side of the highway to the west side.

If the tunnel is not accessible, you will need to park at a small gravel area on the other side of the highway (west side) located about 1km north of the day-use parking lot. However, to drive there from the day-use area will mean you have to drive about 5km north to the first turnaround before coming back. Be sure to take note of where this parking area is when you drive north to ensure you don't miss it when you come back.


Additional Information

Dog-Friendly

Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times in Coldstream Provincial Park and are not allowed on beach areas or in streams due to the risk of damaging sensitive salmon spawning environments. Please ensure to pick up and remove all dog excrement from the park.

Toilets

Toilets are located next to the parking lot at the start of the trail and also at the visitor information centre. There are no toilet facilities on the west side of the highway or near the waterfall.

Although we try to keep information as current as possible, www.victoriatrails.com makes no warranty or representation as to the availability, quality, fitness for purpose, conditions or accuracy of the information provided with respect to this trail or trails. The information provided herein is further subject to our Terms of Use.

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