Hiking Della Falls - panoramic view
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Hiking in the Della Falls: trails, map and practical info

Vancouver Island • British Columbia

4.4 Appreciated by 5 hikers
François Dumaine
By François DumaineContributor since 2013Updated 20/06/2026
Difficulty
Hard
Distance
16 km
Elevation
440 ft
Duration
4h30
Max altitude
440 ft

Experience Canada's tallest waterfall with a 440-meter drop on this challenging 16 km trek through Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island. This 6-hour adventure begins with a scenic boat ride across Great Central Lake before reaching the spectacular cascade.

Recommended for :
Intermediate hikers

Ready to explore Della Falls? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

Discover the trail

6 community photos

Trail description

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"waterfall_height_correction": "Change '440 meters (1,443 feet)' to '444 meters (1,456 feet)' to match web sources",
"duration_correction": "In Essential Preparation section, change 'you'll be out for a full day' to explicitly state 'you'll be out for 9-10+ hours or plan as a 2-3 day backcountry trip with overnight camping'",
"html_content": "Keep all other description content as-is. Add clarification: 'While the one-way distance is approximately 15-16 km, the full round trip totals 30-32 km, making this a serious undertaking requiring either exceptional fitness for a day hike or planning for an overnight camping trip.'"
}

Recommended gear for this trail

LGPO Pick
Elixir Tour Mid WP
Salomon
Elixir Tour Mid WP
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Waterproof mid-height boot ideal for rocky terrain
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Best Value
Trail Ergo Cork
Black Diamond
Trail Ergo Cork
4.4 (1456 reviews)
Comfortable cork grip for long ascents
69.99 $
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Actik Core 625
Petzl
Actik Core 625
4.6 (1893 reviews)
USB rechargeable with 600 lumens for early starts
103.95 $
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Most Popular
Wide Mouth 1L
Nalgene
Wide Mouth 1L
4.8 (12540 reviews)
Unbreakable and BPA-free — a hiking essential
23.11 $
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Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
Daylite Plus 20L
4.7 (3215 reviews)
Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
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Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
Not available
GPS coordinates
49.4570964, -125.5298609
Phone
Not available

Starting Point

The start of the trails at the della falls can be accessed from Port Alberni. From there, take Highway 4 west to the junction of Highway 4 and Highway 28. Head north on Highway 28 to Campbell River and then take the ferry from Campbell River to Quadra Island. From Quadra Island, take the Heriot Bay Road north to della falls.

When?

Opening hours
Open 24 hours every day
Varies by season
Best season
Fall
Spectacular colors
Best time
Early morning
Less crowded
Weather (next days)
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How much?

Entry fees
Adult
Not available
Child
What to bring?
Gear
Download the PDF checklist
Water & food
2L minimum
No water point on the trail
Bring energy snacks for a 4h+ hike
Good to know
Park rules
No dogs
Safety
Download the GPX before you go
Limited cellular coverage on the trail
Slippery after rain
Be careful on rocky sections
In an emergency
Emergency
911
Parking GPS
49.4570964, -125.5298609
Center
Not available

Hikers' opinions

4.4
0 Reviews

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FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Hard
440.00 m
440.00 m
4h30
No
No
The Della Falls trail is 16 km long and requires 3 to 5 days to complete. This is a multi-day backpacking adventure rather than a day hike, so plan accordingly with proper camping gear and supplies.
No, dogs are not permitted on the Della Falls trail. You'll need to make alternative arrangements for your pets when planning this multi-day hiking adventure.
No, access to the Della Falls trail is not free - there are fees required. Additionally, parking is not free at the trailhead, so budget for these costs when planning your trip.
From Port Alberni, take Highway 4 west to the junction with Highway 28, then head north on Highway 28 to Campbell River. Take the ferry from Campbell River to Quadra Island, then follow Heriot Bay Road north to reach the Della Falls trailhead.
Didn't find your answer?
Free 1 pages

The Essential Hiking Checklist

Everything you need for your next hike. Bilingual, printable, 1 page.

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Update : June 2026