Gorgeous Hiking to Laughing Falls

Map showing the starting point at Takakkaw Falls, hiking towards Laughing Falls. Zoom in to see the green dotted line showing the hiking path.

Have you ever wanted to hike to Laughing Falls but were not sure what to expect? This post covers the best time of year for this hike, what terrain to expect and the beautiful views along the way. It’s a hiking trail you don’t want to miss in the gorgeous valley of Yoho National Park.

1. What’s the Best Time of Year?

The road up to Takkakaw Falls and the backcountry camping parking lot (including hiking to Laughing Falls) is only open from late June to mid-October. There is a high avalanche risk, and consequently, the road is closed during the winter season. Snow will cover the road and stop you in your tracks. Make sure you plan to hike during that open window, knowing that July and August are peak season for tourists. We went in early September, later in the day, which was a perfect time to hike with barely anyone around and no bugs! Check seasonal closures and restrictions for more information. If you plan accordingly, you’ll be sure to have a great trip!

2. Wide Path to Start Hiking to Laughing Falls

When you leave the parking lot, you’ll find yourself on a paved path heading north. The wide trail continues, allowing eight hikers to walk beside each other. After passing the first campsite (accessible from the parking lot by transporting items in a wheelbarrow), the trail narrows. You’ll walk on boardwalks to cross creeks and then head into the woods.

3. Walking Along a Peaceful River

At this point along our journey, Kris and I were walking behind each other. The trail starts to get a bit rocky and inclined. The air had a nice fresh pine smell deeper into the woods, with greenery in the trees and moss surrounding us. Everything felt so alive! The peaceful Yoho River, to the right, flows down from Laughing Falls. We were in the hiking zone, with no one around us, enjoying each other’s company.

We hiked this trail on September 4, 2021 and started the hike just before three in the afternoon. With the long summer hours, we didn’t have to worry about starting early or rushing back before sunset, as it didn’t set until around eight thirty at night. We had plenty of time to hike in daylight for four hours there and back. If you’re going in shoulder season (late June or early October), be conscious that the sun will set at varying times, so keep that in mind when planning your trip. Although the summer offers late sunsets at around ten at night, a large number of tourists hiking to Laughing Falls can slow down your pace. Plan some additional time if you’re hiking in the summer.

4. Small Waterfall Above River

As we walked further along during our hiking trip, we could hear the rushing water get louder and louder. We caught a glimpse of rushing water through the trees and checked it out at the nearby viewpoint. As you can see behind me, it’s a small grey and white glacial fall coming down from Laughing Falls. Thankfully no one was around so we were able to get beautiful pictures without crowds of people in them.

A beautiful sight to see! There is nothing like being far away from a city to experience the smells and sounds of the forest. It was so calming and relaxing that day. Hiking is a fantastic way to rejuvenate yourself with fresh, natural mountain air. This was a perfect temperature to wear my Smartwool Merino Base Layer on a cloudy day, with no bugs around. It was pleasant to hike without having the scorching sun on us.

5. Steep Part Hiking to Laughing Falls

Being in Shape Hiking to Laughing Falls

I walked and kayaked a lot this summer, thinking I would be in excellent shape for this hike. The steep part hiking up to Laughing Falls offered many steep hills in a row, causing me to be out of breath. I wasn’t in shape as much as I thought I was! For the most part, it’s an easy trail with a steep portion closer to the end of the trail, as you reach Laughing Falls. Take your time and you’ll eventually get there! Slow and steady wins the race.

Tip for Encouragement: Hiking to Laughing Falls

I find that one of the best ways to move myself forward, even as an expert hiker, is to encourage myself with positive reinforcement, in my head or out loud. “I’m doing awesome”. “Keep going”. “You’re almost there”. “Don’t give up”. “You can do it!” It’s amazing the power of positive reinforcement, in your life in general. I use it in all aspects of my life, but especially when I’m struggling with outdoor activities. I always make it to the end. Keep a positive attitude!

Sturdy Hiking Shoes

Make sure to have sturdy hiking shoes that grip rocks easily to make your life easier as you move upwards. Flip flops or sneakers with a flat sole might cause you to slip or twist an ankle, which is something you don’t want nine kilometres away from your vehicle. It’s an easy trail, but be prepared for a workout. Adequate footwear will make a world of difference! If you want to get more experience before hiking in the mountains, here are ways to feel confident when going from city to wilderness hiking.

6. Viewpoint at Duchesnay Lake

Kris and I took a side trail to check out the viewpoint at Duchesnay Lake. This only added a couple of extra kilometres to our trip off the main trail. Unfortunately, during September, when we were there, the lake was bone dry.

We finally found some water at the very end. It was sad to see it so dry. No animals were seen anywhere close to the water. Plants and algae were mostly burnt to a crisp by the sun. We only found plants closer to the water source. This is a very different scene from hiking near Nordegg.

7. Easy Path Hiking to Laughing Falls

Kris was happy to have reached the summit after hiking the steep part to Laughing Falls. It’s nice and easy to hike this part of the trail without having to look down at the trail too much, afraid of tripping over a rock. It was smooth hiking to Laughing Falls from this point forward. Kris and I felt like we deserved a nice flat area after what felt like forty five minutes of climbing.

We were on the home stretch to arrive at the Laughing Falls campsite. I thought, “We can do this!“

8. Laughing Falls Campsite

We finally made it to Laughing Falls backcountry campsite! Two paths go in opposite directions. One way leads to the tenting area, and the other direction heads to the eating area. A Chicken Gyro is an easy recipe to eat while backpacking. You never want to eat close to your tent, as there’s the possibility of attracting wild animals such as bears that might smell your food. There’s less chance for them to find you in your tent if you eat and store food some distance away. Store your food in bear-proof bins or tied up high in a tree, depending on the available options at your campsite.

We didn’t have any intention of sleeping at this campsite for the night as we only brought day packs. We ventured to the left crossing the bridge and arriving to our final destination hiking to Laughing Falls.

9. The Sights of Laughing Falls

What a gorgeous view! This is what you first see as soon as you walk off the wooden bridge crossing the Little Yoho River. It’s stunning and worth hiking to Laughing Falls! The falls in the background, with the blue glacial water to my left and green trees surrounding me, make a beautiful backdrop. Even without the sun, the falls and nature still offer a magnificent spot to cherish.

We took some pictures and then sat to appreciate our surroundings. This is why I LOVE to hike. What is better than being surrounded by gorgeous sounds and sights of the falls and nature to relax in tranquillity? There was barely anyone around us, and no bugs either! Just perfect! This hike is only eleven kilometres round trip to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday craziness.

We wanted a closer look at the falls, so we hiked right up to them to hear the rushing water as it pours over the edge of the rocks.

10. Hear the Power of Laughing Falls

Hear the power of the water as it pours over the edge of the rocks! A large volume of white water comes down that rock hill and turns into clear, crystal blue water down below. Laughing Falls is such a beauty to experience. It’s an opportunity to put some nice cold water on your face and neck on a hot summer day, to cool you off. Even with more people around (close to the campsite where people were set up), the roaring sound of the falls makes you feel like you’re alone, as the sound overpowers any human voice. You’ll need to talk loudly and be close to hear each other to hold a conversation. I could sit for hours on the rocks listening to waterfalls. It’s a wonderful sound to fall asleep to when sleeping in a tent, if you choose to backpack to Laughing Falls.

11. Manageable Distance Hiking to Laughing Falls

The map above taken with my Samsung Health app shows the distance required to hike to Laughing Falls. It took us under three hours to hike 11.21 km. The excursion was closer to four hours, including breaks along the way and enjoying the falls.

Our average speed was 3.9 km/h with our fastest speed being 7.5 km/h. It shows that we hiked up 127 meters at the end of our journey going towards the falls, like we experienced. Although, it felt like a lot more! This is a doable hike with some patience when it takes longer in the steep sections. The hike generally heads straight for its entirety.

I like this app showing the key information and providing a visual map, making it easier to understand where we hiked. It’s also fantastic to capture our pace as well as our average speed. I would highly recommend this app.

Final Thoughts

I hope this excites you to get moving and try this hike out yourself! There are many beautiful sights and sounds to see and hear throughout the hike. Hiking to Laughing Falls will bring you calm and serenity. It’s only a forty-five minute drive to the parking lot from Lake Louise. Go and explore! Time to get hiking!

Additional Links

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