Hiking in the Buttermilk Falls: trails, map and practical info

Buttermilk Falls is a scenic waterfall destination tucked into the Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley region of Ontario. It's the kind of short, rewarding outing that works well for families, casual hikers, or anyone looking to stretch their legs without committing to a full-day adventure. The trail is easy, the payoff is real, and the falls themselves are genuinely worth the trip.

The Falls

The highlight here is the waterfall itself — a roughly 30-metre (100-foot) drop that makes a strong impression, especially during higher water periods. The name "Buttermilk Falls" comes from the frothy, churned-up foam the rushing water creates as it tumbles over the rocks, giving the cascade a distinctive milky-white appearance. There's a viewing platform near the parking area that gives you a solid look at the falls without any effort, and a trail that takes you down closer to the base where you can really feel the spray and hear the full force of the water.

The Trail

The loop or out-and-back route here covers 1.5 km with only about 20 metres of elevation change, which puts it firmly in the Easy category. Plan for roughly an hour and fifteen minutes on the trail — that's a comfortable pace with time to stop, take photos, and just take it all in at the falls. The modest elevation gain means the descent toward the base of the falls is gradual enough that most people won't find it challenging, though the terrain near the water can be uneven and potentially slippery, so solid footwear is still a good idea.

The trail leads from the parking area down toward the falls, with the viewing platform offering the first look. From there, the path continues to the base, where you get up close to the cascading water. It's a short walk, but the change in perspective between the top view and the base view makes the whole thing feel more complete than the distance might suggest.

Getting There

Buttermilk Falls is accessible from Highway 118, which runs through the Haliburton Highlands region. There is parking available near the falls, making it a straightforward stop whether you're passing through or making a dedicated visit. The area sits within the broader Haliburton Highlands to Ottawa Valley corridor, a stretch of Ontario that sees a good mix of through-travelers and local outdoor enthusiasts.

Who It's Good For

• Families with young kids — the short distance and easy terrain make this very manageable for little legs.
• Visitors new to the region — it's a great introduction to the landscape of the Haliburton Highlands without requiring a big time commitment.
• Photographers — the falls offer strong visual interest, and the combination of the upper viewing platform and the base-level perspective gives you multiple angles to work with.
• Anyone on a road trip through the area — at 1.5 km, it's an ideal stretch-your-legs stop that delivers something genuinely memorable.

What to Know Before You Go

The trail near the base of the falls can be wet and rocky, so waterproof footwear or at least grippy trail shoes are worth wearing even on a dry day. The falls are most dramatic during spring runoff or after significant rainfall, when water volume is at its highest. During drier stretches in late summer, the flow will be reduced, though the falls remain scenic. The viewing platform near the parking lot is accessible without needing to hike down, which is useful if you have members of your group with limited mobility who still want to see the falls.

Buttermilk Falls is one of those spots in Ontario's Haliburton Highlands that punches above its weight — a short, easy walk that delivers a genuinely impressive natural feature and a solid reason to pull off the highway.