Point Lace Falls & Laughing Falls
So, you’ve made it to Yoho National Park, and Takakkaw Falls has successfully blown your mind. But you’re not the type to just stand around and gawk—you’re here to lace up your boots, break a sweat, and chase more waterfalls. Good news: the hike to Point Lace Falls and Laughing Falls delivers on stunning scenery, minimal crowds, and just the right amount of adventure (without requiring a survival reality show skillset).
The Trailhead: Takakkaw Falls Parking Lot
Your journey begins at the Takakkaw Falls parking lot, where you’ll immediately be greeted by the deafening roar of one of Canada’s tallest waterfalls. Take a moment to snap a few shots and pretend you’re not mildly terrified by the sheer force of nature before you. When you’re ready, head towards the Yoho Valley Trail, which starts just beyond the Whiskey Jack Hostel (no whiskey involved, unfortunately).
Hitting the Trail: Forest, Bridges, and the Yoho River
The trail is well-marked and starts off with a gentle introduction—a well-packed dirt path meandering through lush forest, with glimpses of the Yoho River teasing what’s to come. Within the first kilometer, you’ll cross a sturdy wooden bridge over the river, an excellent opportunity to test your ability to take a straight horizon shot.
Takakkaw Falls (Revisited)
Make sure you turn around every now and then before you get too deep into the forest - you’ll get a great vantage of Takakkaw Falls that the masses don’t get to see!
From here, the trail follows the valley, offering a mix of shaded woodland and open sections where towering peaks make surprise appearances. Wildflowers line the path in summer, and if you’re lucky, you might spot a marmot, a chipmunk, or a fellow hiker regretting their choice of footwear.
Point Lace Falls: A Delicate Beauty - After about 2.5 km of hiking, you’ll reach a signed junction. Take a short detour to the left, and within minutes, you’ll find yourself at Point Lace Falls—a waterfall as elegant as its name suggests. Unlike Takakkaw’s thunderous personality, Point Lace Falls is a graceful cascade, tumbling delicately down the rock face like a bridal veil.
Photography tip: Use a slower shutter speed to capture the silky flow of the water. If you didn’t bring a tripod, improvise—your backpack, a rock, or the unwavering determination to hold still will do in a pinch.
Along the Little Yoho River: Once you’ve had your fill of Point Lace Falls, backtrack to the main trail and continue another 2.5 km toward Laughing Falls. This section of the hike offers more impressive river views, occasional avalanche debris (don’t worry, it’s usually harmless in summer), and an ever-intensifying sound of rushing water.
You’ll definitely want to stop at one particular part of the Little Yoho River. It’s not out of the way at all, as you’ll walk literally right beside it!
Laughing Falls: Just when your legs start questioning your life choices, you’ll arrive at Laughing Falls. And yes, it’s as joyful as it sounds. This powerful, wide waterfall crashes into the Yoho River with such enthusiasm that the mist alone might give you a free facial. The name likely comes from the way the water seems to “laugh” as it dances over the rocks, or from the fact that every hiker who reaches it experiences pure, giddy elation.
Photography tip: Capture the full width of the falls with a wide-angle lens, and if the lighting allows, experiment with longer exposures for a dreamy, misty effect. Bonus points if you catch a rainbow in the spray.
The Return Journey: A Victory Lap
Once you’ve sufficiently marvelled at Laughing Falls, enjoyed a snack (or an entire picnic—no judgment), and questioned whether you could just live here forever, it’s time to head back the way you came. The return trip offers a fresh perspective on the valley, and since it’s mostly downhill, you can pretend to be one of those effortlessly graceful trail runners (even if you’re just speed-walking to beat the rain).
By the time you arrive back at the Takakkaw Falls parking lot, you’ll have covered roughly 8 km round-trip with a manageable elevation gain.
Between two stunning waterfalls, a roaring river, and plenty of photographic eye candy, the hike to Point Lace Falls and Laughing Falls is a must-do for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and anyone who enjoys a good waterfall-induced happy dance. So grab your camera, your best trail snacks, and a sense of wonder—because Yoho is about to show off, and you won’t want to miss a second of it.
Happy hiking (and happy shooting)!