Siffleur Falls Trail – Kootney Plains Ecological Reserve

Siffleur Falls Trail is located at the east end of the Kootney Plains Ecological Reserve in west-central Alberta just east of Jasper and Banff National Parks. Just off highway 11 you will find the staging area. There’s a nice big parking lot. At 14.2 km this out and back trail is very popular. It’s dog-friendly with lots of access to water for your 4 legged friends to hydrate with. Dogs must be kept on a leash. With only 369 meters (1210 Feet) of elevation gain, it’s suitable for all ages. All Trails rates it as easy and I agree with that rating. See the All Trails listing for the trail here.

We headed out early in the day under not so great skies. Our hike began and ended with us getting rained on but it was a great hike on a great trail.

Not too far into the hike, you come across this suspension bridge crossing the North Saskatchewan River. It’s a fairly long bridge and has that great suspension bridge bounce to it. What a neat feeling. The bridge is set up for pedestrians only. No horses or mountain bikes allowed.

After the suspension bridge, you walk along a boardwalk through a highly sensitive area of the hike. The boardwalk is meant to keep hikers from damaging the area. We didn’t see a single person, or dog, for that matter, off that boardwalk. It looks like it was recently constructed or rebuilt.

There are some really amazing views in this area. You are right in the mountains but out of the national park. Evergreen trees, snow-covered mountain peaks and wildlife are there for viewing.

After a short hike along the trail you cross the Siffleur River and begin the hike along the river to the canyon and falls. More amazing views to be had.

The canyon is deep and the water is a blue/green color. Such beautiful scenery. There are many spots along the hike to stop and take photos. The water was really rushing through the canyon during our hike.

The falls are not wide or high but the amount of water cascading over them is a powerful sight to see. If I had to guess, I’d say the falls are 25 feet or so from top to bottom. The sound of the water crashing over the falls is deafening! I was struck with a sense of being rather insignificant next to the falls. Due to the power of the water, I’m sure.

We took a break for a snack and a quick photo op with the dogs and then continued up the trail past the falls.

Beyond the falls the trail is not maintained and we found ourselves in a rougher area with much fewer people on the trail. If all those who turned back could have known how much nicer the trail was beyond the falls, it would not have been such a nice trail.

Check out the video we created for the hike below. It was a great hike and one that I’m sure we will repeat. Also see my post on our last hike to Wood Bison Trail in Elk Island National Park.