Did you know that Canada's highest waterfall is located on Canada's west coast? Della Falls can be found near the southern edge of Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island. Della Falls has a 440 meter (1444 feet) vertical drop. The water flows from Della Lake into a series of 3 cascades from Della Falls onto Drinkwater Creek into Great Central Lake. It is fed by glaciers and alpine streams and it is this crystal clear water that spills over the rocky cliff. It is the tenth highest waterfall in the world.

So why haven't we heard about this spectacular wilderness attraction? Simple, Della Falls is not regarded as a major waterfall when compared to other waterfalls around the world because the basis for a major waterfall is not only the height of the fall but the volume of water flow. This is why Niagara Falls (Ontario) is known around - it has the largest annual volume. Niagara Falls however, is a mere 57 meter drop.

Della Falls was discovered more than a hundred years ago, in 1899, by prospector and trapper, Joe Drinkwater. He named the attraction after his wife. He staked claims here and piles of dispersed rocks can be seen today in gullies located near flooded mine shafts as well as rusted buckets, shovels, and pipes.

Tourists out to explore Canada's wilderness will love this spot, but don't be detered by the rugged hike necessary to see the falls as this merely assures that you won't have to line up to view the beauty. The Della Falls Trail leads hikers from the head of Great Central Lake to the base of the waterfall. It is a 16 km trail, by way of Drinkwater Creek, and it is a long hike that takes about 7 hours one way. It is considered suitable for intermediate level hikers. The long trek is well worth it if you are out to find the beauty that exists in the vast Canadian wilderness.