Appleton Canyon hike

If you’re in Powell River and looking for waterfalls galore, this hike is a must do. The hike is best from late Fall-Spring when the waterfalls are in their full glory, as they decrease to only a trickle in the summertime (making them great, but pretty cold swimming holes). Located on a section of the 180km Sunshine Coast Trail, here is a guide to the Appleton Canyon hike.

At a glance:

Length: 2.1km (one way)
Time: ~1 hour from trailhead to Appleton Rec Site
(And another 30-45min if continuing to Rieveley’s Pond Hut).
Elevation gain: 200m
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

The hike:

The Appleton Canyon hike is fairly easy with only a bit of uphill sections, and is very well marked and easy to follow. Whether we’ve visited in the Summer or the Winter, we’ve always had this entire hike to ourselves. The hike goes along a canyon where you can view the falls from above, or take the steep trails down to their base. One of the first falls you will pass is the impressive Sylph Falls.

Bandit Falls further along the trail also provides a spectacular view. Gorge Falls is one of my favourites, you can get close to the roaring water. In the summer, the calm and crystal clear pool is a perfect place to swim (be warned, the water is freezing).

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Enjoy your lunch when you get to the picnic area at Appleton Recreation Site, created by the BOMB squad – a local group of volunteers who maintain and fix trails throughout town. Here, you will be surrounded by some giant old growth Douglas Firs next to Appleton Creek.

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From here, cross the Appleton Bridge over the rushing river. At the fork, take the side trail to the right at the sign “To falls and swim hole.” It’s a short 100m trail to another picnic bench overlooking Paul Falls and small swimming hole. If you take the trail to the left at the fork, it will take you to Rieveley’s Pond Hut, one of the many free camping huts located along the Sunshine Coast Trail.

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How to get there:

From town, follow Marine Ave north along Highway 101. Past Wildwood and Sliammon, turn right on Wilde Rd. At the fork, continue to the right onto Tomkinson Rd. 4km along the dirt road will take you past access to Big Sliammon Lake on the right, another beautiful spot and a continuation of the Sunshine Coast Trail. There are a couple cross ditches so a high clearance vehicle is preferred. Another 2km will lead you over the Appleton Creek bridge. 100m past the bridge is a turn off on the left into a large gravel parking lot. The trailhead to Appleton Canyon is marked here, follow the S.C.T. North sign.

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Looking for another waterfall hike in Powell River? Don’t miss the Blackwater and Sweetwater hike in the Duck Lake trail network. What’s your favourite waterfall in PR? Leave a comment below!