· · · ·

Phantom Falls (Fantum Falls) Hike, Nova Scotia

ByHikers Movement

Phantom Falls (also spelled “Fantum” or “Phantum”) is a 12-meter high waterfall in the South Branch Musquodoboit River, located near Dean, Nova Scotia. The relatively short hike to the falls isn’t overly challenging and is suitable for most hiking levels. Though it may not be the most strenuous hike, the effort is well worth it to see this beautiful Nova Scotian waterfall.

Hikers can park on an opening just off Highway 336 and walk along the logging trail to the trailhead. Alternatively, for a shorter hike, visitors may drive to the trailhead itself, where there is a smaller lot for parking. Regardless of how you get there, getting to this waterfall makes for a perfect day trip in nature from Halifax and the surrounding areas.

Difficulty: Easy
Length: 3.7 km (out and back)
Suggested Duration: 1-2 hours
Signage: Signs throughout
Facilities: Parking lot

trail map

Disclaimer: This article includes affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Key Features Of Phantom Falls

  • Features the picturesque Phantom Falls waterfall
  • Passes through a mix of forested areas and rugged terrain
  • Offers opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife sighting
  • Dog-friendly

Facilities And Services

  • Small Parking Lot

Before You Start Hiking Phantom Falls

As always, there are a few things you should know before you begin hiking to Phantom Falls.

The Falls are located off Highway 336 down a dirt road. There is an opening where you can park. Just be sure not to park in front of the private property gate, also located in this area.

From here, there are two options.

The dirt road to Phantom Falls is part of the 3.7-kilometre hike. However, it is possible to shorten the hike by driving up to the Falls trailhead. This is only recommended if your vehicle has all-wheel drive or you have an ATV, as the road can be a bit rough to drive on.

The first time we visited Phantom Falls, we did not realize that we could park in the opening before the dirt road and attempted to drive to the trailhead. However, we ended up turning around as the road was rough, and we did not want to risk getting a flat tire.

The second time we visited Phantom Falls, we parked at the original parking area marked off on the trail map above.

For instance, depending on the time of year, the trail can pose a bit of a challenge. While in the warmer months, the road trail is a nicely groomed gravel trail, during the winter, the trail is covered in ice.

The photo below is the trail during the winter to show the trail conditions. Due to this, we highly recommend wearing supportive footwear and bringing hiking poles to help keep your balance.

During the warmer months, you can expect the trail to be covered in black flies and mosquitoes, so be sure to bring an insect repellant that contains DEET.

Once you reach the Phantom Falls trailhead, it takes hikers through the beautiful backcountry.

This trail takes you to the top of Phantom Falls. If you want to descend to the bottom of the falls, there is a short yet steep trail that leads down and allows for a breathtaking view of the falls.

Hikers should use this with caution as it is quite slippery in the winter months especially.

Our Experience Hiking Phantom Falls

As was mentioned previously, our first trip to Phantom Falls was rather unsuccessful.

The second time we got out was in late March. The snow had yet to thaw fully, and both the logging road and the hiking trail were icy. That being said, the weather was warm, and we were determined to find the waterfall on our second excursion.

We parked just off Highway 336, grabbed our bags, and began our trek down the logging road.

As you can see from the picture above, this path is wide and easy to navigate. We continued onward, seeing a few openings and crossing a bridge before reaching the trailhead.

There were several instances where the ice was particularly slick, and we can imagine the trail being rather muddy during the spring thaw. Perhaps we’ll be back to test this theory and view the waterfall in the warmer months.

Eventually, we came across the Fantum Falls sign, which pointed us into the woods. From the logging road, we made our way onto the backcountry hiking trail. We certainly find these trails to be more enjoyable for hiking and thought that parking next to the trailhead, instead of near the Highway, would be a more optimal way of getting to the Falls.

Nevertheless, we made our way through the woods to our destination.

The hiking trail is rather short, at about 200 meters. It’s easy to navigate and only gets steep and challenging near the waterfall (if you decide to make the descent).

The snow on the trail was well-packed. We were happy to know that others were making their own trips to see Phantom Falls.

Here’s a picture to show the decline near the South Branch Musquodoboit River at Phantom Falls:

Once we arrived at the falls, we took our time to explore around. We always enjoy ourselves at waterfalls, taking our time in nature, and practicing gratitude for being able to get out to explore our beautiful province.

Phantom Falls isn’t overly tall, and it’s easy to get from the bottom to the top. We encourage you to check out the various angles of the waterfall safely.

Hiking to Phantom Falls made for a great day trip with friends. It proved to be an excellent hike even in the colder, icier month of March. We made our way back to the car alongside the logging road and drove home with another Nova Scotian hike checked off our list!

While Phantom Falls is a relatively short hike, we still recommend bringing some gear with you.

WATERFALLS IN NOVA SCOTIA

Julia and Arthur are the owners, creators and writers of Hikers Movement, Homestead Fox and owners of Fox Media Tech Inc.. As seasoned hikers, Julia and Arthur don't just write about the great outdoors – they live it. Their firsthand experiences, shared through hiking adventures around the world, reflects their genuine commitment to inspiring a community of outdoor enthusiasts.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *