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Uisge Bàn Falls Hike, Cape Breton

ByHikers Movement

Uisge Bàn Falls is a breathtaking waterfall located, aptly, in the beautiful Uisge Bàn Falls Provincial Park. This stunning 15-meter waterfall cuts through a granite gorge, offering a spectacular scene in the Cape Breton outback.

The path leading to Uisge Bàn Falls is a relatively short and easy hike located at the park entrance. The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow until hikers reach the falls, where it transforms into a typical backcountry trail for the last few hundred meters.

In addition to the Falls Trail, there is also a 2 km River Trail that follows the North Branch River and connects to the main trail at two points, making it easy to turn this in-and-out hike into a loop when the park is open. The park is just under 100 km away from Sydney, making Uisge Bàn Falls a great day trip from the main municipality.

Difficulty: Easy
Length: 2.7 km (out and back)
Suggested Duration: 1 – 1 1/2 hours
Signage: Signs throughout
Facilities: Parking, picnic tables (some sheltered), and vault toilets

trail map

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Key Features Of Uisge Bàn Falls

  • Located in Uisge Bàn Falls Provincial Park
  • Leads to the scenic waterfall known as Uisge Bàn Falls
  • Accessible via a relatively short and easy hiking trail
  • Passes through a mix of forested sections and streams
  • Ideal for hikers and families with children
  • Campground nearby

Facilities And Services

  • Parking
  • Picnic tables (some sheltered)
  • Vault toilets

Before You Start Hiking To Uisge Bàn Falls

Uisge Bàn Falls is a breathtaking waterfall on a relatively groomed trail that all level hikers can enjoy.

Before you begin hiking, it is important to make sure the park is open.

Since Uisge Bàn Falls is in a provincial park, it does have months of operation. When the full park is open, hikers will have access to a large parking lot, vault toilets, and all trails.

However, it is important to note that the trails are not completely closed during the “off-season.” There is still a small parking area before the gate and a notice advising hikers that while they are welcome to explore the trails, some segments of the trails and services might not be accessible and/or are closed.

During the winter months, the River Trail may be closed, and bridges to access this trail may be removed to prevent access. Along with the River Trail, the last 150 meters of the Falls Trail may also be closed due to winter conditions.

Though the months of operation are susceptible to change, as of 2021, the full provincial park will be open between May and October.

The park is also used as a picnic park. Here, you can find multiple picnic tables (some with shelters) and vault toilets located near the trailhead.

Dogs are permitted at the park but must remain on a leash.

There are a few warning signs as you approach the falls to warn hikers of eroding and unstable cliffs. It is important, for your safety, to stay on the main trail.

When you reach the falls, there is an additional warning of “swift water.” Hikers are to keep a distance from the water as the rocks can be slippery.

The last few meters of the fall trail do get a bit tricky with roots and larger rocks. While it is an easy hike, this could pose a challenge for those with mobility issues.

For those looking to stay near the Uisge Bàn Falls Provincial Park, there is a Uisge Bàn Falls Nature Campground located only a 5-minute walk away.

The campground is typically open from June to September, so be sure to check out the months of operation before planning your trip if you choose to camp here.

The campground starts at around $30 per tent. In contrast, entry to the Uisge Bàn Falls Provincial Park is free.

As always, when visiting the falls, it is essential to leave no trace. If you pack it in, pack it out. Be respectful of our beautiful environment and enjoy everything Uisge Bàn Falls has to offer.

Our Experience Hiking To Uisge Bàn Falls

Our experience hiking to Uisge Bàn Falls came during the Spring thaw. This is the best time of year to chase waterfalls as the water is most plentiful. The hike was actually our first stop in Cape Breton on our way to our accommodations, having driven from Dartmouth.

We chose this hike for the beautiful waterfall and because it’s a relatively easy trail. What better way to stretch our legs after a long drive and prepare for the subsequent hikes in our week’s itinerary?

Upon arrival, the gate was closed (as was the park), though the trails remained open for winter activity. We parked and stretched quickly before embarking on the wonderful hike to Uisge Bàn Falls.

Once in the park, there was plenty of signage to help us find our way. After a quick glimpse at the map, we made our way onto the trail.

We were incredibly impressed with the state of the trail. Hiking during the thaw, we were expecting the trail to be washed out and muddy. This wasn’t the case at all, making the trail super easy to navigate.

As seen in the picture below, the trail is also wide, making it that much more enjoyable as a stroll through the woods.

During our time on the Falls Trail, the bridges that would lead to the River Trail were closed. In fact, the bridges were removed. Though we would have liked to complete the park’s trails in their entirety, we would continue without making the River Trail (this time)!

As we got the second would-be connection to the River Trail, we turned left at the fork to reach the Uisge Bàn Falls. At this point, the trail becomes more “backcountry,” which is what we enjoy most about hiking.

Looking around, between the groomed trail and the falls, we both simultaneously expressed how it felt as if we were part of a fantasy film. The natural surroundings certainly give a sense of mysticism. Though pictures never do these things justice, you can check out the trail and environment in the image below:

The trail continues along the river and crosses the river via a permanent bridge before reaching the falls. We quickly understood the reasoning behind closing this portion of the trail during winter conditions. The spray from the falls and river made the rockier parts of the trail slick. This slipperiness would be compounded if the water froze.

That being said, we stayed diligent and carefully made our way to the falls without issue. Below are a few photos of the bridge and the approach to the waterfall.

We got to the falls in what seemed like no time at all. Of course, we stayed around and basked in the glory of nature. There are actually two defined falls to admire. Here are a few pictures from the trail end:

What a great way to start our hiking trip in Cape Breton. We also appreciate getting out into nature, and the Uisge Bàn Falls was a perfect hike. Making our way back to the car, we were happy to have completed another superb Nova Scotian hike and were eager to share our story with you!

While Uisge Bàn 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.

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