How to Hike to Moyie Falls + Tips & FAQs

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This guide is sponsored by Cranbrook Tourism. All content and opinions are my own.

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Looking for a beautiful waterfall hike in the Cranbrook area for all skill levels?

When Daniel, Gravy, and I were looking to explore the East Kootenay region of British Columbia in Canada, we didn’t know where to start! There are so many incredible options for hikes, and deciding which ones were the right fit was a challenge. This truly is one of the most beautiful areas I’ve been to, and we wanted to make sure we weren’t missing anything!

Luckily, our friends at Cranbrook Tourism gave us a few options for hikes in the area, and Moyie Falls was on the list of recommendations. One of the best parts? It was located just a short drive from the downtown area of Cranbrook.

If you plan on exploring this area, I definitely recommend putting this hike on your list. Not only do you get a view of some stunning falls for very little effort, but you can also fit in two hikes in one day since this one doesn’t take up too much time!

In summary: This article will cover the stats for the Moyie Falls hike, how to hike it for yourself, and some tips and FAQs to help you make the most of it.

Quick tip: Consider this hike in the fall for an easier water crossing and some changing leaves along the way!

Quick stats

How to hike to Moyie Falls

To get to Moyie Falls, you’re going to drive about 20 minutes from downtown Cranbrook on Highway 3 and 95 until you reach Lumberton Road. The falls are also known as Lumberton Falls, so you might find more information on this hike under that name. You’ll continue on a gravel road for about four miles until you reach a turn off.

For many of the trails in BC, I recommend having an app like AllTrails to take you to the trailhead since it can be a bit confusing otherwise. I used AllTrails to get me there and had no problem finding where to start the hike.

This trail is privately-owned and maintained. You’ll reach a yellow gate where you can park your car. While I hiked this in the fall and Gravy and I were the only ones there, I can imagine that it gets quite busy during the summer months so you’re likely to see other cars parked there too.

You’ll go past the gate and continue down the road for about .33 of a mile (.5 of a kilometer) until you get to a river crossing. Since we were there in autumn, the river was at a fairly low level and it was very easy to cross. During the spring in summer months, there is likely to be more water so you might need to be a bit more cautious.

Expect to get at least a little bit wet! I brought along a change of shoes and socks in the car just in case and I am glad I did.

From there, you’ll continue on for about .5 miles (.8 kilometers). You’ll start to hear the falls long before you see them. There is a clearing where the falls will come into full view. There’s plenty of room if you want to visit in the summer to spread out a picnic and go for a swim in the falls, which I hear is a popular activity among the locals from Cranbrook.

To the left of the falls is an old mining shaft. While I wouldn’t venture into it and I didn’t even try to see if it was open, it was neat to imagine miners sitting in that spot enjoying their lunch or coffee while looking at the falls. Personally, since it is private property, I would leave it closed.

Once you are done grabbing your pictures and taking some time to enjoy the falls, you’ll head back the way you came to get to your car.

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Tips for hiking to Moyie Falls

Here are some tips I found useful when hiking to Moyie Falls during my time in Cranbrook!

• It might not be open: Since it is a privately-owned trail, it is under the owner’s jurisdiction if it is open or not. It has been known to be closed on occasion due to high water levels and to keep hikers safe.
• Be careful when swimming: While I was there in the early fall and it was a little chilly to swim, I can see how it would be nice in the summer. That being said, make sure you swim with caution.
• Watch your pet: While there were no rules for dogs, I had Gravy on a leash for the majority of the hike until we reached the waterfalls themselves just in case we ran into someone else on the trail. I’d also keep an eye on them when water levels are high.
• Be prepared to get wet: Even with the river low, I still managed to soak my socks and shoes–just expect that getting a bit wet will be part of the fun!

Moyie Falls FAQs

Here are some frequently-asked questions about Moyie Falls that I saw online when researching this hike.

Conclusion

Gravy and I loved this little hike and I would highly recommend it if you are in the Cranbrook area! I found it the perfect hike for a rainy, moody fall day, and I can imagine that it would be beautiful during the spring months as well. It’s also the ideal family hike or if you have your dog in tow!

Have any questions about taking on the Moyie Falls hike? Let me know in the comments!