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This is a long day trip, and you may find yourself arriving home after dark. The good news is that if you run short on time, the last two waterfalls are the least interesting spots.
All of the falls are either right on the Trent River, or, found along one of its tributaries. None are like the vertical waterfalls found on the Niagara Escarpment. But this road trip shows that interesting waterfall sites come in all shapes.
The first few sites on this trip include big, broad, but gently sloping waterfalls. Instead of being hidden in the forest, they are out in the open for all to see.
The bigger waterfalls have been tapped for hydroelectricity, and are also by-passed by locks of the Trent Severn Waterway. This infrastructure, right beside some of the falls, helps to remind us of how falling water has shaped Ontario's society.
Mid-way through this trip the landscape shifts to the Canadian Shield. Instantly, the waterfalls take on different shapes. None are large, but they can all be very scenic at the right time of year.
You could be injured, lost, or die visiting waterfalls. You are responsible for your safety. Learn your Risks and Responsibilities.
You don't have permission to use this website unless you click and agree with the Full DisclaimerThe waterfall at Ranney Falls is quite wide, but I will admit that it isn't that spectacular. What is fairly spectacular, however, is the Ranney Gorge and the suspension footbridge over the Trent River.
This is one of those sites where the surroundings boost the score of the falls itself. Learn more...
A very low waterfall that stretches almost 100 m across the Trent River. Hardly spectacular, yet I always stop in for a visit.
You will walk right past a hand-operated lock for the Trent-Severn Waterway, and can also spot a hydroelectric plant. Learn more...
Healey Falls is a highlight on this trip (even though some will say that title belongs to Cordova Falls). Though a wide dam rims the top of this entire falls, it doesn't distract from the view.
Visitors used to be able to drive right to the falls. We now have to walk in from the highway. The laneway to the falls is not owned by the house on the right. Nevertheless, please be respectful and avoid the residential property. Learn more...
This is a very, very low waterfall, with a total fall of maybe one metre. The waterfall itself isn't all that impressive. But the river, which flows over an exposed bedrock flat for several hundred metres, offers a unique landscape to visit. Definitely worth a visit. Learn more...
After leaving Callaghan's Rapids, the landscape switches to the Canadian Shield. The rocks are different, and thus, so are the waterfalls!
Years ago, I arbitrarily divided Cordova Falls in into upper, middle and lower. Each one is no more than a few minutes' drive from the last. If you visit one, see them all. Learn more...
You can walk from Upper Cordova Falls to the Middle Falls. The falls at Cordova never dry out, but they do dry down in summer. Photographers in our Facebook group love the colours here in fall. Learn more...
The lower falls at Cordova are just a short drive (or a long walk!) from the others. There are several small falls at this site, as the river braids around various tiny islands. Learn more...
Also known as "Preston Cascade" on Google Maps. This waterfall is T-I-N-Y! Many explorers will skip it. But the colours can be beautiful in fall, leading to great intimate photography. Learn more...
A small cascade that is visible from the bridge, or, with care, from the crown land forest beside the river. This is admittedly a minor waterfall that will likely only interest real waterfall junkies. Learn more...
This road trip would probably fill most of a day, and includes almost 500 km of driving, round trip. If you are short on time, plan to skip Nos. 4,7 and 8.
If you get an early start, or live closer than the GTA, you might be able to add a few extra stops along the way.
Ok, this is a very, very small waterfall site. Don't expect to be impressed, at all! But it is the first bedrock stream with any identifiable falls east of the GTA. A pleasant urban walk along the Ganaraska River gives lots of vantage points.
The rapids are very easily accessed (they are right in town!), and it can serve as a warm up for the bigger falls featured above. Learn more...
This is a gentle but picturesque waterfall site. The Crowe Bridge Conservation Area offers access to two sets of rapids. Expect to pay an admission fee. Learn more...
Did you try this road trip? Was it way too long? Too short? Please let me know!
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