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The Star Creek Falls Hike in Crowsnest Pass
- andrewsco3
- Sep 30, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 24
If you are looking for a fun, short hike to break up the drive between Calgary and Fernie, then hiking to the Star Creek Falls in Crowsnest Pass is a great option.
It's a really short hike (less than 2km out and back), but most of the hike involves traversing the river over stepping stones and logs, plus an interesting climb using a chain to get to the final waterfall. Our kids absolutely loved it!
Keep reading this blog post for all the essentials you’ll need to enjoy the Star Creek Falls Hike in Crowsnest Pass, including key details of the hike, plenty of photos to show you what the hike is really like, and an FAQ section that answers everything else that you need to know about the hike.
Table of Contents
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Star Creek Falls - Key Information
Here is the key hike information:
Distance: Approximately 1.5 km out and back (via the creek route) or 2.1 km loop
Elevation Gain: Minimal – around 96 m according to AllTrails
Difficulty: Generally easy, though there are a few creek crossings and a short chain-assisted rock section that adds a bit of challenge
Trail Type: Out and back (creek route) or loop
Time Required: 1 to 1.5 hours depending on season and pace
Best Time to Go: Year round. Winter spikes recommended in icy conditions
Permits Required: No
Dog Friendly: Yes, but dogs should be agile and comfortable with creek crossings and some light scrambling
Kid Friendly: Yes – our kids loved the short chain section and enjoyed the creek walk
Route Direction: The loop can be done either way, but the creek route is more engaging and sticks closer to the falls
How to Find the Trailhead
It's worth noting that depending on the type of vehicle that you are driving, you have two options as to where to park.
Most people park along the road at the bottom of the hill (see the first X on the map). However, there is a short but steep and fairly uneven road that you can drive up, to park a little closer to the falls.
We didn't attempt it with our Ford Escape, and I think you would need a truck to do it safely. In the winter I suspect it could be pretty icy too.
Once at the top, head to your left and you will come to the start of the creek. From there walk upstream and you will arrive at a bridge where you need to choose the route you are going to take.
Which Route Should I Take?
You have two different options:
Take the "Upstream" Route, which hugs the creek and leads you to the bottom of the waterfall via some fun river crossings and a chain climb.
Take the "Loop" hike, which is a hike that loops around the top of the waterfall, giving you a different perspective of the falls from above.
We decided that we'd have more fun with the kids navigating the river, so we opted for the upstream route. If you want to take this route, you need to stick to the trail to the right of this bridge and do not cross (as this will take you on the loop hike).
Continue along the path as it hugs the creek closely. If you have young kids there are a few areas where they will need to mind their step but nothing crazy.
The River Crossing and Chain Climb
Eventually the path will drop down into the creek and you will get to a point where you have to cross the creek to continue. There are various stepping stones and bridges made out of logs to help you cross.
We visited in September and the water was low enough that you could have crossed through the creek wearing water shoes if you wanted. In spring time the water levels can be a lot higher and would make the crossing a lot more difficult.
After multiple crossings you will reach the lower falls, which is where it starts to get a little more challenging, and some people may choose to turn around. If you are wanting to continue then you will need to cross the creek one last time, and make your way to the base of a large rock slab where a chain is located (you can see it on the photo below on the left hand side).
We noticed that the rocks were quite slippery in places and some sections had loose gravel, which made things a bit tricky, but if you take it slowly, you’ll be fine.
Now for the fun part - the chain climb! This section is perfect for kids and in our opinion it was just the right mix of challenge and excitement without being overly dangerous.
The climb might be tough for kids under six or anyone with limited mobility, so use your judgement. Having something unique like a chain section is one of our top tips for hiking with kids as it adds a sense of adventure and keeps them engaged throughout the hike.
Once you've navigated the chain climb, its a fairly easy scramble over rocks until you get to the Upper Star Creek Falls.
The Waterfall
The waterfall itself is pretty, and it's fairly accessible meaning that you can get pretty close to the water (or at least you can in the summer). The girls enjoyed being 'rained on' with the spray from the falls. In the late summer and fall you could definitely take a little paddle / swim if you were so inclined.
That's it! You now return the way you came, being careful on the chain climb down.
If you fancy a short extra hike you could always do the Upper Loop hike afterwards by crossing the bridge that you passed earlier on the trail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Star Creek Falls Hike Suitable for Kids?
Yes, this is a really fun hike for kids, as they loved crossing the river on logs and using the chain to climb up the rock boulder. Children under the age of 6 may find the chain climb difficult, but it should be manageable for most active kids.
Is the Hike Dog Friendly?
Kind of. The chain section would be a little challenging with bigger dogs.
Is the Chain Section Dangerous?
Not really. The chain section should be suitable for most adults and active kids if you are careful.
Can I Swim in the Falls?
You could definitely paddle in the pool at the Upper Falls, although even in the summer, it will be cold.
What Wildlife Might I Encounter on the Trail?
This trail is definitely in bear country, so carry bear spray with you, and know how to use it.
What to Take With You
Bear spray – This hike is in bear country. Make lots of noise (I’m pretty sure no bears would want anything to do with our noisy kids though!)
Good Hiking boots – This is definitely not a flip flop type of hike! Make sure the whole family has some good hiking boots as you do have to walk over quite a few rocks and scree on the way up.
Phone – Quite a bit of the trail does have signal so it’s worth bringing with you from a safety standpoint, plus you’ll probably want to take a photo or two…..
Food and Water – Bring lots of water! We recently bought both of our kids Camelbaks so that they can drink on the go and it has been a game changer! Bring plenty of snacks and gummy treats!
First Aid Kit – I always recommend bringing a basic first aid kit in your bag as a precaution.
Walking Poles – you may feel more comfortable descending through the rocky areas by using poles. We didn’t, but many people were.
Final Thoughts
The Star Creek Falls is one of the best things to do in Crowsnest Pass, along the route between Calgary and Fernie. It's well worth stopping to break up the journey, or if you are in the area exploring. Our kids loved it!
As always, if you have any questions about the hike feel free to ask away in the comments section!
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