Upper Kanaka Falls Trail

Upper Kanaka Falls Trail in Maple Ridge is one of those low-key local hikes you do when you want some quiet forest time without a huge time commitment. It’s a 5 km out-and-back with about 234 m of gain, topping out around 534 m, so on paper it’s rated easy, but expect a stiff uphill grind in sections. The payoff is a set of rugged waterfalls in a tucked-away corner of the Blue Mountain and Kanaka Creek area that still flies under most people’s radar.

The route starts from the end of McNutt Street near the mailboxes, then heads past the yellow gate at 12930 McNutt Road into the Blue Mountain Protected Forest Area. You’ll follow logging roads and motorbike trails rather than a classic singletrack, so it feels more like a forest service road walk than a technical hike, with long, quiet stretches under the trees and big open cuts under the powerlines. As you climb, it’s mostly steady road walking until you duck back into the woods toward Upper Kanaka Falls, where you’ll hear the rushing water before you see it; views are more about the falls and steep canyon than distant mountain panoramas.

Recent hikers mention that parking is limited and a bit confusing, so arrive early and be ready to tuck in respectfully near the gate without blocking access. The climb feels steep going up, and the falls are hard to access from below due to cliffs and drop-offs, so keep dogs and kids close near the edges and don’t push it if it looks sketchy. Parts of the trail network can be overgrown and muddy, and you’re sharing space with the Blue Mountain Motorcycle Club routes, so stay alert, step aside for riders, and aim for drier months for the easiest conditions, though locals walk it year-round with good boots or trail runners.