The Siffleur Falls hike is a beautiful hike for all skill levels, as it is relatively flat (one small hill!) and so diverse. As you hike, you’ll pass through meadows, 2 bridges, a boardwalk, a forested area with some cliffs down into a canyon (be careful!), and eventually make it to Siffleur Falls. I loved this hike and would highly recommend it to other hikers!
It can get busy during peak times (summer, weekends, and mid-day). Plan to hike early, during the week, or during the shoulder season to avoid a lot of crowds.
In this article, I will cover the Siffleur Falls hike at a glance (elevation gain, distance, etc.), a layout of the hike, how to get there, when to hike, staying safe, what to bring, and other things to do nearby!)
Siffleur Falls Hike at a Glance
- Location: David Thompson Country, Alberta, Canada.
- 45 minutes from Nordegg
- 1.5 hours from Rocky Mountain House
- 2 hours from Banff
- 2.5 hours from Red Deer
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time to Complete: 2.5 – 4 hours (depends how long you stop to take photos, etc.)
- Facilities at the Trailhead: Parking lot and outhouse (bring toilet paper!)
- My Favourite Part: The suspension bridge and boardwalk!
Siffleur Falls Hike Description
One of my favourite hikes in David Thompson Country!
Located in the mountains, the Siffleur Falls hike is nothing but stunning! The trailhead starts off at the parking lot, and shortly hikers will find themselves walking through a beautiful alpine meadow – the Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve. You’ll quickly come to one of my favourite parts of the hike – the Topham Suspension Bridge! Cross over the North Saskatchewan River on this super fun bridge, which is also a great spot to take some pictures.
After the suspension bridge, the next section of the hike begins and you’ll find yourself walking along a stunning boardwalk through another meadow. It’s super important to stay on the boardwalk while hiking, as it protects the delicate species and helps prevent erosion. Please respect the nature we are so lucky to enjoy 🙂 .
After the boardwalk, the surroundings will start to change and you’ll find yourself entering more of a forested area and a regular hiking path. This is considered a backcountry area, so be prepared with snacks and bear spray, and stay on the marked trail! You’ll eventually come to another bridge to cross the Siffleur River. Make sure to stop on this bridge as well for pictures and amazing views!
Once you cross the second bridge, keep hiking to Siffleur Falls! You’ll start to see some cliff edges, so please be careful and don’t approach the edge of these cliffs. There are some safety rails at some points, but ultimately, you are responsible for your own safety and it can be incredibly dangerous to approach these edges!
There are some hills in this section as well, but eventually, you will make it through the forest and find Siffleur Falls waterfall! There is a nice viewing platform to try and get a good look at the falls. Please remember to be careful in this area as well, as the top of the waterfall is relatively open, which means it can be dangerous for young kids (and adults!) to play on the rocks at the river edge.
Once you’re done visiting Siffleur Falls, you can continue hiking to two more waterfalls, or hike back to your car and enjoy the 2 bridges and the boardwalk on your way back as well! Most hikers turn around after the first falls – Siffleur Falls, and this is what we did as well.
How to Get to the Siffleur Falls Trailhead
The Siffleur Falls Trailhead is located in David Thompson Country, in Alberta, Canada – you’ll take the David Thompson Highway to get to the trailhead.
It is in the Nordegg area (about 45 minutes from Nordegg) and relatively close to Abraham Lake.
There is no public transportation in this area, so visitors will have to drive themselves and use the parking lot at the trailhead (type “Siffleur Falls Trailhead” into Google Maps before losing cell service/data).
To get to Siffleur Falls from Banff National Park, take Highway 93 North until you arrive at Saskatchewan River Crossing. From there, head East on the David Thompson Highway until you arrive at the parking lot, which will be on the right side of the road.
To get there from Jasper, you will head South on Highway 93 until the Saskatchewan River Crossing, and then take the same route (head East on David Thompson Highway until you see the parking lot on the right side of the road.
This will bring you to the Siffleur Falls staging area, where your hike begins!
If you’re hiking in the winter, make sure to bring ice crampons and stop at the frozen ice bubbles at Abraham Lake, which is super close by!
When to do the Siffleur Falls Hike
The hike is best completed between May – late September (before the snow hits!). Otherwise, it can be quite snowy, icy, or muddy conditions.
In order to avoid busy crowds, try to hike during weekdays, early mornings, or during the shoulder season (May).
My trip: I hiked Siffleur Falls on May 29, 2022, and took all the pictures in this post on that day.
Staying Safe While Hiking Siffleur Falls
- Stay away from the cliff edges
- Bring bear spray just in case
- Pack enough snacks and water for your hike
- Be prepared for varying weather conditions
- Be careful when hiking in not-ideal conditions (snow, ice, mud)
- You are responsible for your own safety!
- There is no cell reception at Siffleur Falls
What to Bring Hiking Siffleur Falls
The Siffleur Falls hike is a bit of a longer one, so make sure you bring any gear you might need from the car. Some things I brought are:
- Snacks (fruit 2 go bars, trail mix, granola bars, etc.)
- Water
- Bear Spray
- Camera/phone
- Packable jacket
- Hiking clothes! (pants/shorts, runners, t-shirt/long sleeve, hat) – dress for the conditions but be prepared for changing conditions, the mountains can be unpredictable!
Other Things to do Near Siffleur Falls
David Thomspon Country and the Nordegg area have so many great things to offer – you can definitely make a day out of exploring the area and do other fun activities before or after your hike!
- Bring your SUP and head to Abraham Lake
- Drive about 40 minutes East and hike the nearby Crescent Falls hike as well
- Camp at one of the campgrounds along the David Thompson Highway, or on Crown Land near Abraham Lake (permit required)
- Explore the Icefields Parkway and drive towards Banff (South) or Jasper (North)
Keep Reading:
- Your Guide for Planning a Trip to the Canadian Rockies
- Banff National Park Bucket List
- Jasper National Park Bucket List
- Your Ultimate Guide to Peyto Lake: Banff’s Wolf Shaped Lake!
Siffleur Halls Hike FAQ:
Siffleur Falls is roughly 151 km from Rocky Mountain House, or about a 1.5 hour drive.
No, Siffleur Falls is not located in Banff National Park. Siffleur Falls is located in David Thompson Country, which is nearby Banff National Park.
Yes! Dogs can hike to Siffleur Falls with you, but must be kept on a leash.
From Banff, drive the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) North towards Jasper, but turn right at the Saskatchewan River Crossing junction onto Highway 11 (David Thompson Highway). Continue driving the highway East until you arrive at the Siffleur Falls Staging area, where the hike begins! The drive from Banff Town to Siffleur Falls trailhead should take you just under two hours.
No! As of 2024, parking in David Thompson Country is free and you do not need a permit to visit.
Have you hiked Siffleur Falls, or gone on any other adventures in David Thomspon Country?
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Hey! I’m Kat. Based in Alberta, Canada and just 4 hours from the Canadian Rocky Mountains, I love to travel to Banff and Jasper frequently and also explore new places around the world. Follow along for my tips based on my real adventures!
