Waterfalls and craft beer are a winning combination. They both light your sense of adventure, bring you into the moment, and turn a mundane weekend into something to celebrate.
Let’s face it. In many parts of BC, November can bring a lot of rain. But, this is what makes chasing waterfalls an ideal fall activity.
Many waterfalls across the province are even more spectacular this time of year. Increased rain makes them extra powerful as they peek through moody clouds and misty forests. Plus, the usually popular, easy-to-access waterfalls tend to be less crowded (perfect for photo opps).
If you find yourself soaking wet and a little chilly after admiring the falls, few things feel better than a flight of delicious beer in a cosy tasting room or enjoying a fresh bomber while you cook a warming, post-adventure meal at home.
There are hundreds of waterfalls across the province, so consider this a jumping-off point for how to wet your whistle. Add a waterfall to your to-do list, scope out others nearby, and map out breweries to hit along the way.
Ready to chase some waterfalls and craft beer? Here are a few (mostly easy to access) waterfalls that are conveniently close to your favourite breweries.
Please Note: BC Travel Restrictions
Province-wide travel restrictions are currently in place, so please avoid non-essential travel outside of your community. Residents are also asked to avoid social gatherings with anyone outside of their immediate household or core bubble. Let’s each do our part now, so we can explore BC again, soon!
Vancouver Island
Niagara Falls, Goldstream Provincial Park
You could spend weeks chasing craft beer and waterfalls up and down the coast of Vancouver Island, but there are several easy-access ones I’ve frequented myself, starting with Niagara Falls. Though not quite the same as the famous one out east, it’s still a super pretty spot in Goldstream Provincial Park to explore in the fall. While you’re there, wander the various other trails in the park, walk to another waterfall (Goldstream Falls), and take a gander up to the Goldstream Trestle. Bonus: these falls are less than half an hour to either the Sooke or Victoria breweries!
- Round trip: 1.3 KM
- Elevation Gain: Minimal
- Time needed: 0.75 HR
- Dogs: Allowed
Nearby Breweries
Sooke
- 4 Mile Brewing
- Canoe Brewpub
- Category 12 Brewing
- Driftwood Brewery
- Howl Brewing
- Hoyne Brewing
- île Sauvage Brewing
- Lighthouse Brewing
- Phillips Brewing & Malting
- Spinnakers Brewpub
- Twa Dogs Brewery at Macaloney’s Caledonian Distillery
- Vancouver Island Brewing
- Whistle Buoy Brewing
Beach Estates, Nanaimo
This waterfall was one of my regular spots when I lived in Nanaimo. You descend down a hill and some stairs before quickly catching views of the waterfall. At the end of the trail, there’s a lovely quiet beach that looks out at the ferries in Departure Bay. When you’re done, get your heart rate up as you hike back to the road, then it’s just a quick drive to any of the breweries in Nanaimo!
- Round trip: 1.8 KM
- Elevation Gain: 55 M
- Time needed: ~0.75 HR
- Dogs: Allowed
Nearby Breweries on the VANCOUVER ISLAND PART 2 ALE TRAIL
Little Qualicum Falls, Qualicum Beach
These picturesque falls are a lovely leisurely walk to take while you explore trails and breweries mid-Island. You can either head straight to the upper or lower falls or do a little loop that takes you to viewpoints above both. While you’re in the area, why not also make the 20-minute drive to Englishman River Falls?
- Round trip: ~2 KM
- Elevation Gain: Minimal
- Time needed: ~1 HR for the full loop
- Dogs: Allowed on leash
Nearby Breweries on the VANCOUVER ISLAND PART 2 ALE TRAIL
Sea to Sky
Brandywine Falls, Whistler
No matter how many times I stop at Brandywine Falls on the drive from Squamish to Whistler, it never gets old. It’s one of those perfectly shaped waterfalls that looks gorgeous in any weather. It’s also extremely accessible, which makes it a perfect pitstop if you’re exploring other wonders throughout the Sea to Sky region.
- Round trip: 1 KM
- Elevation Gain: Minimal
- Time needed: ~0.5 HR
- Dogs: Allowed on leash
Nearby Breweries on the WHISTLER ALE TRAIL
Shannon Falls, Squamish
Shannon Falls is another extremely popular stop for people making the drive from Vancouver to Squamish, and for good reason. While the park can get very busy during the summer season, things become extra peaceful in the fall and winter months when the rain scares crowds away. If you’ve been putting Shannon Falls off or haven’t stopped in a while, consider taking in all its glory when it’s bursting at the seams from a heavy rain before you head into town for a pint. There are also trails of various difficulties you can hike to get higher up along the falls.
- Round trip: 1 KM (for just walking to the base)
- Elevation Gain: Minimal
- Time needed: ~0.5 HR
- Dogs: Allowed on leash
Crooked Falls, Squamish
This one is more of a trek than most of the waterfalls in this post but I had to include it because of fond memories. A couple of years back on a rainy late October day, my friends and I got the urge to hit the trails and we were thoroughly rewarded. Thanks to the rain, Crooked Falls was glorious. Standing by the noise of the water just made you want to sing with joy. We brought up a couple of cans from Backcountry Brewing to enter into a photo contest they were running (we didn’t win, but it was worth it). They were a great way to cap off the day afterwards.
IMPORTANT: Several hikers have recently gone missing or had to be rescued while hiking the Crooked Falls trail, so do not tackle this one if you’re ill-prepared. Exercise extreme caution whenever you’re exploring the backcountry, do not go close to the waterfall’s edge, bring a buddy, and tell someone where you’re going.
- Round trip: 6 KM
- Elevation Gain: 395 M
- Time needed: ~3.5 HR
- Dogs: Allowed
Nearby Breweries on the SQUAMISH ALE TRAIL
Metro Vancouver
Kanaka Creek Cliff Falls, Maple Ridge
This easy route in Kanaka Creek Regional Park is a short jaunt from the breweries in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. You can also walk the trail to a fish hatchery, which is always a lovely fall activity.
- Round trip: 4 KM
- Elevation Gain: Minimal
- Time needed: ~2 HR
- Dogs: Allowed on leash
Nearby Breweries on the MAPLE RIDGE ALE TRAIL
Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park, Chilliwack
Low elevation valleys and lush, rounded mountains make this day-use park perfect for an autumn picnic or photo session by the 60-metre falls before hitting up some of the nearby breweries. The waterfall’s smooth rock is said to create a “veil-like” effect from the falling water, hence the name of the park. You’re also nice and close to Chilliwack’s breweries, including two which just opened within the last few months (Farmhouse Brewing Co. and Field House CHWK) and Bricklayer Brewing which just opened this week!
- Roundtrip: 0.8 KM
- Elevation gain: 50 M
- Time needed: ~0.25 HR
- Dogs: Allowed on leash
Nearby Breweries on the FRASER VALLEY ALE TRAIL
- Old Yale Brewing
- Farmhouse Brewing Co.
- Field House CHWK
- Bricklayer Brewing
Cypress Falls, West Vancouver
Cypress Falls is a great hike to do during the colder months when other trails at higher elevations are buried under snow. Just a short walk takes you through a dense forest full of old Cedar and Douglas Fir trees while following Cypress Creek up past two beautiful waterfalls.
If you’re up for a longer adventure, double up with Twin Falls (below) and visit some of the breweries in North Vancouver on the way.
- Roundtrip: 3 KM
- Elevation gain: 130 M
- Time needed: ~1.5 HR
- Dogs: Allowed
Nearby Breweries – see below
Twin Falls, North Vancouver
This short, popular hike in North Vancouver crosses the pretty Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. Another wooden bridge along the way gives you a perfect spot to admire the falls and basks in some of the mist.
- Roundtrip: 1.5 KM
- Elevation gain: 65 M
- Time needed: ~1 HR
- Dogs: Allowed
Nearby Breweries on VANCOUVER’S NORTH SHORE ALE TRAIL
- Black Kettle Brewing
- Green Leaf Brewing Company
- Beere Brewing
- North Point Brewing
- House of Funk Brewing
- Streetcar Brewing
- Bridge Brewing Company
- Wildeye Brewing
- Deep Cove Brewers and Distillers
Sunshine Coast
Cliff Gilker Park Falls, Robert’s Creek
Cliff Gilker is located in Roberts Creek on the Sunshine Coast and has a network of easy hiking trails that pass several scenic waterfalls. Double it up with Burnett Falls (below) before exploring the breweries in Gibsons and Sechelt for a perfect autumn Sunshine Coast day.
- Roundtrip: 2 KM
- Elevation gain 48 M
- Time needed: ~1 HR
- Dogs: Allowed
Nearby Breweries – see below
Burnett Falls, Sechelt
A short uphill hike brings you to a fabulous view of the falls above the canyon. This is one that’s best viewed in the rainy months when the run-off is at its highest!
- Roundtrip: 0.5 KM
- Elevation gain: 30 M
- Time needed: ~0.5 HR
- Dogs: Allowed on leash
Nearby Breweries On the SUNSHINE COAST ALE TRAIL
Eagle River Falls, Powell River
This hidden gem can be accessed just south of Palm Beach Regional Park off the highway. It’s a local favourite for cliff-jumping in the summer but, in the autumn/winter, it’s still a gorgeous spot to take in the powerful waterfall before hydrating at Townsite Brewing.
- Roundtrip: 0.5 KM
- Elevation gain: Minimal
- Time needed: ~0.25 HR
- Dogs: Allowed
Nearby Breweries On the SUNSHINE COAST ALE TRAIL
Thompson Okanagan
Mill Creek Falls Regional Park, Kelowna
This quiet regional park is a lovely way to spend a day exploring trails and snapping photos of the falls. Even better, it’s just a quick drive outside downtown Kelowna and the city’s many delicious breweries.
- Roundtrip: 2.6 KM
- Elevation gain: 88 M
- Time needed: ~1 HR
- Dogs: Allowed on leash
Nearby Breweries on the KELOWNA ALE TRAIL
- Barn Owl Brewing
- BNA Brewing
- Copper Brewing
- Freddy’s Brewpub
- Jackknife Brewing
- Kelowna Beer Institute
- Kelowna Brewing Co.
- Kettle River Brewing
- Red Bird Brewing
- Rustic Reel Brewing Co
- Vice & Virtue Brewing
- Welton Brewing
Naramata Creek Falls, Naramata
Meander across bridges through autumn leaves to this lovely cascading waterfall just outside downtown Penticton–minutes from a craft beer pick-me-up.
- Roundtrip: 1.8 KM
- Elevation gain: 70 M
- Time needed: ~1 HR
- Dogs: Allowed on leash
Nearby breweries On the PENTICTON ALE TRAIL
- Cannery Brewing
- Highway 97 Brewery
- Slackwater Brewing
- Tin Whistle Brewing
- Bad Tattoo Brewing
- Barley Mill Brew Pub & Bistro
- Neighbourhood Brewing (opening soon)
Kootenays
Fairy Creek Falls, Fernie
Wander through a beautiful forest to the base of Fairy Creek Falls. You can also hike up the sides of the falls to look over the edge. When it really cools off, these falls tend to freeze beautifully, making it a popular winter walk. Just a two-minute drive from Fernie Brewing!
- Roundtrip: 4.5 KM
- Elevation gain: 105 M
- Time needed: ~2 HR
- Dogs: Allowed on leash
Nearby Breweries on the KOOTENAY ROCKIES EAST ALE TRAIL
Fletcher Falls, Kaslo
Just nine minutes from Angry Hen Brewing, this is an impressive, 50-foot waterfall with a gorgeous pool at the bottom. Once you’ve admired the falls, you can explore the trail along Kootenay Lake which goes through the day-use area and campsites before returning to the parking area.
- Roundtrip: 1.1 KM
- Elevation gain: 50 M
- Time needed: ~1 HR
- Dogs: Allowed
Nearby Breweries on the KOOTENAY ROCKIES WEST ALE TRAIL
Takakkaw Falls, Yoho National Park
This easy out and back trail in Yoho National Park leads you to one of the highest waterfalls in Canada which towers at 380 M. While you’re in the area, you might as well explore some of the other trails in the park, like Wapta Falls, a 5KM hike to another gorgeous waterfall (closer to 7KM when the road is closed in the winter). Be sure to stop at Whitetooth Brewing on your way there!
- Roundtrip: 1.3 KM
- Elevation gain: 37 M
- Time needed: ~1 HR
- Dogs: Allowed on leash
Nearby Breweries on the KOOTENAY ROCKIES EAST ALE TRAIL
Northern British Columbia
Tree Beard Falls, Ancient Forest Provincial Park
Explore 800-2,000-year-old cedar trees in the only inland temperate rainforest in the world before visiting the 30M Tree Beard Falls at the end of a 450-metre long universal access boardwalk. This makes a lovely adventure outside of Prince George before heading into town to warm up with a pint.
- Roundtrip: 2.7 KM
- Elevation gain: 256 M
- Time needed: ~1.5 HR
- Dogs: Allowed on leash
Nearby Breweries on the NORTHERN BC ALE TRAIL
Hixon Falls, Hixon
This 100-foot waterfall just outside Prince George in Hixon is another scenic spot to hit on your way into or out of Prince George. It’s named after a 19th-century prospector named Joseph Foster Hixon who found gold along the creek’s banks. Note: accessing this one requires driving along a gravel/dirt road which can get rough in the winter months.
- Roundtrip: 0.3 KM
- Elevation gain: 29 M
- Time needed: ~0.5 HR
- Dogs: Allowed
Nearby Breweries on the NORTHERN BC ALE TRAIL
Know before you go
When exploring the BC Ale Trail, make sure to look up important information about the area you’re visiting and check on cancellation policies. Practice safe and respectful travelling as you explore the communities in our wild backyard that are open to visitors and make sure to be a considerate craft beer consumer while you’re out and about.
