Athabasca Falls is not the largest waterfall in the Canadian Rockies. In fact, it measures just 23 metres from top to bottom. Yet it is a force of nature – a foaming cascade of water creating a deafening din to match. Come here to witness the sheer power of Mother Nature.
Secure a space at the Athabasca Falls car park on the Icefields Parkway by arriving early. If you've got a raincoat, wear it things will get soggy. Take one of the paved trails that lead around the waterfall. Stop off at the various vantage points and take photos of these breathtaking falls. Trails run at a safe distance from the falls. Do not err from the route as the rocks are extremely slippery and accidents can occur. You'll see reminders of this by way of the various memorial plaques lining the paths.
The source of Athabasca Falls are the glaciers of the Columbia Icefield. The near-freezing water rushes over quartzite rocks, plummeting sharply into a small canyon below. This is what creates the immense noise accompanying the falls. Visit at different times of the year, and you'll see the water in different hues. A fine silt known as rock flour turns the falls a milky white when they swell in the summer. At other times, the water is an icy blue. The potholes that you'll see in the limestone gorge have been carved by the sheer pressure of the water.
While walking the trails, admire the thick pine forests and the flower- and berry-filled meadows. Undoubtedly one of the best vantage points from which to see Athabasca Falls is the concrete bridge that spans the water. For those seeking adventure, it's possible to go rafting from the falls' canyon back into Jasper. Book in advance to do this.
Athabasca Falls are in the upper regions of the Athabasca River, about 30 kilometres south of Jasper. The falls are easily accessible from the Icefields Parkway. A car park can be found immediately northeast of the falls.
