Sunday Special – Athabasca Falls, Canada

Waterfalls are a sight that will likely make you stop to take a look. Some are so high and wide that they are the reason we travel to see them. Think Niagara Falls (Canada & USA), Iguazú Falls (Brazil & Argentina), Angel Falls (Venezuela), and Victoria Falls (Zambia & Zimbabwe). Although Athabasca Falls, located in the Canadian province of Alberta, is only 28 m / 75.5 ft it packs a quite a punch as its one of the most powerful falls in the Rocky Mountain region. The force of the water falling over the rocks is due to the substantial quantity of water that flows over it from the Athabasca River.

Visiting the glacier-fed falls can be a beautiful part of any trip to Jasper National Park, where they are found. They located roughly 30 km / 18.5 mi south of the town of Jasper, Alberta. If you are driving there is parking near the falls and you can include a stop here if driving the scenic Icefields Parkway. Pending the time of year and trail conditions you can hike by the falls. If you’d rather not hike there are viewing platforms where sightseeing can be done from a safe distance, though you may get sprayed with water. Alternately, there are many tours from Jasper that visit the falls as part guided tours of the Columbia Icefields. Tours may be day trips or multi-day adventures that include a broader scope of the region. Regardless of which way you decide to visit the falls it looks like it would be breathtaking!