Waterfalls are always an intriguing and beguiling natural attraction. The crashing and swirling of the water over and around the rocks makes for an exciting sight. Spring is usually the best time to view these natural wonders, when they are at their peak from the spring run-off.

  Muskoka owns many waterfalls, large and small. These include High Falls (48 feet high), the 1000-foot long cascade of the Muskoka Falls, once called the Great Falls, the swirling Bracebridge Falls on Bracebridge Bay and many others.

  View some of Muskoka’s waterfalls at the annual Festival of the Falls in Bracebridge on May 2nd and 3rd, or tour the district on your own to see more of the area’s numerous waterfalls and rapids.

  Located near the junction of Highway 11 and Muskoka Rd 117, High Falls is one of Muskoka’s most spectacular falls, with a vertical drop of 14.6 metres, (48 feet). A public picnic area at the top offers some superb views.

  Wilson’s Falls is located only a couple of kilometers upstream from downtown Bracebridge, and offers some excellent walking trails. The Bracebridge Falls, situated in the heart of the town, is at the centre of a self-guiding trail around Bracebridge Bay Park. Follow the trail onto the walking bridge that traverses the falls, then stop in the middle to look down at the rushing water – it’s a breathtaking view of the mighty power of this falls during spring run-off.

  The three falls mentioned above are situated on the north branch of the Muskoka River.  The south branch of the Muskoka River also has three falls. The Muskoka Falls, formerly called Great Falls, runs for almost 1000 feet through a chasm underneath Highway #11 between the 1^st and 2^nd exits for Bracebridge. Take the 2^nd exit (Cedar Lane) and bear right to come around to where these falls originate. A pathway alongside takes you down to the foot of these magnificent falls.

  Trethewey's Falls is located along the highway #118 east, (take the 1^st exit for Vankoughnet off Highway #11). More of a rapids than a falls it has a small parking area off highway #118 east where you can stop for a better view.

  The Matthiasville Falls is located further along highway 118 east. Take the Matthiasville Rd. exit (formerly called River Rd.), and follow the river a few kilometres, crossing over on the historic ‘black bridge’ and enjoy a scenic drive to the Mathiasville dam.

  Just past the Mathiasville dam you re-join Highway 118 east. Travel east for another 10 minutes to the pretty village of Vankoughnet, where there are a number of small and picturesque falls and rapids on the Black River that runs through the village.

  Another small Muskoka village owning numerous waterfalls and rapids is Bala, located on the 169 about 20 minutes west of Gravenhurst.

  There are many more falls and rapids found throughout Muskoka. For more information contact one of the local chambers of commerce listed at www.muskoka.com/visitor_info.htm or visit Stuart Brady’s photo tour of Muskoka waterfalls at www.muskoka.com/falls