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Rainbow Falls Whistler – Everything YOU need to know
Rainbow Falls Whistler. Everything YOU need to know before going on one of the easiest, shortest hikes in Whistler. Whistler boasts a plethora of hiking options, such as Lost Lake, but the Rainbow Falls Loop remains a hidden gem, quietly nestled away from the more popular trails. This uncomplicated pathway leads to a charming, small waterfall, boasting numerous distinctive viewpoints. I have a deep appreciation for this trail as it provides a brief and tranquil forest stroll, often cherished by the locals.
Rainbow Falls in Whistler offers a convenient and family-friendly hiking experience. Commencing at the same trailhead as Rainbow Lake, Hanging Lake, and Madeley Lake, it offers a significantly shorter and less strenuous journey.
This scenic adventure takes the form of a loop, making it an excellent choice for those in search of a short yet gratifying Whistler hike in the midst of the enchanting forest.
Locating Rainbow Falls may present a bit of a quest because it quietly hides along the Rainbow Lake Trail. The guide below outlines a scenic loop that you can conveniently finish in about 1 to 1.5 hours, providing a leisurely outing.
YouTube Video of Rainbow Falls – Whistler
Rainbow Falls – Navigate our page below
- Rainbow Falls Hike Statistics
- Map of Rainbow Falls
- How to get to Rainbow Falls
- Best things to do at Rainbow Falls
- The Hike
- Facilities at Rainbow Falls
- Bear Safety
- Cultural & Historical Information
Rainbow Falls Hike Stats
Difficulty Rating – Easy
Distance – 2.8-3km
Net Elevation Change – 105m
Time Needed – 45 minutes – 1.5 Hours
Season – All Year
Dogs Allowed – Dogs are allowed with leash
Est. Driving Time from Vancouver – 1.5 hours
Map of Rainbow Falls
The above image is the location of Rainbow Falls in regards to the Whistler Area.
The image above highlights the trail and the parking location on Alta Lake Road.
The image above is the Rainbow Falls Trail a 2.5km trail with 100 meters of elevation gain.
How to get to Rainbow Falls
Walking/Biking, Driving & Public Transport
There are multiple ways to get to Rainbow Falls. However, the most common and the easiest is by car or public transport as it is 1 hour walk from Whistler village to the trail head. Though no public transport except for taxi’s can take you to the trail head, you can catch a bus and walk from it’s closest drop-off point. Otherwise riding your bike there is a breeze with the valley trail.
Walking/Biking – To reach the Rainbow Falls trailhead from Whistler Village, follow these directions:
- Begin by taking the Valley Trail north along Lorimer Road.
- When you reach a T-junction on Crabapple Drive, make a right turn to stay on the Valley Trail, which runs alongside the River of Golden Dreams.
- Continue along the Valley Trail until you arrive at Rainbow Park.
- At Rainbow Park, make a right turn, and then proceed along Alta Lake Road for a few minutes.
- Look for a bike rack at the trailhead, which will be your starting point for the hike.
The entire bike ride from Whistler Village to the Rainbow Falls trailhead should take approximately 20 minutes. If you’d like some assistance with navigation, you can refer to the helpful map of the Valley Trail for guidance. If you were to walk it would take approximately 1 hour – 1.5 hours.
Car – Starting from Whistler Village, head north on the Sea to Sky Highway. At the traffic light, make a left turn onto Alpine Way. Continue by taking a left at the three-way stop onto Rainbow Drive, following the signage that directs you to Rainbow Park. As you journey further, Rainbow Drive will transform into Alta Lake Road, and you’ll gradually leave behind the residential area. Continue along Alta Lake Road as it meanders through the serene woods. After a short drive, be on the lookout for a parking area located just past a crosswalk. On the right-hand side, you’ll find a paved lot with 17 parking spots, and there’s also an additional gravel overflow lot on the right. As of 2023, it’s worth noting that parking is free.
It’s essential to be aware that aside from these two designated lots, there are no other authorized parking areas. Parking along the roadside carries the risk of your vehicle being towed. Particularly on summer weekends, these lots tend to fill up quickly, so it’s advisable to arrive early or consider alternative transportation options such as biking, taking the bus, or using a taxi.
If you don’t have access to your own vehicle, any of Whistler’s taxi companies can conveniently transport you to the trailhead. The journey from the Village to the trailhead typically takes around 10 minutes by taxi.
Bus – It is possible to get a bus to Rainbow Falls Trail head. You will need to have paid for either a monthly bus pass or bought a single ticket. From Whistler village catch bus 30 which normally leaves every 20 minutes from Gondola exchange. Ride the bus for around 15 minutes and get off at Matterhorn. From there continue walking on Matterhorn Drive till you reach Alta Lake Road and from there continue West along the road till you reach the trail head. It is about 3km to the trail head which will take around 40 minutes to walk.
You can also catch a taxi to Rainbow Falls which might set you back around $15-$25 CAD depending on where your getting picked up/dropped off (one-way price). There are no Uber’s in Whistler.
Best things to do at Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls is home to a walking trail, biking trails and is the start for longer hiking trails such as; Rainbow Lake, Madeley Lake & Hanging Lake. If you are looking for a short easy hike in Whistler, Rainbow Falls is it. Caution: The Rainbow Falls Loop is a multi-use trail that’s also frequented by bikers. It’s important to remain vigilant and keep an eye out for bikes, as they may not always be able to come to a stop as swiftly as hikers can. Be considerate and ready to make way for cyclists to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all trail users.
The best time to see Rainbow falls would be While Rainbow Falls can be appreciated throughout the year, the best time to witness its maximum flow is during May and early June. By late July, August, and September, the water diminishes to a gentle trickle, providing an opportunity to explore more of the canyon. If you happen to visit in the winter, you might even catch the falls in a frozen, icy state.
The trail, covered mostly by trees, usually doesn’t attract as much popularity as the other hikes hosted by Whistler.
The Rainbow Falls Trail originates from the same trailhead as the hike to Rainbow Lake, which can lead to some confusion, particularly because Rainbow Lake is a well-known, more challenging 6-hour hike into the mountains, typically suited for experienced hikers. In contrast, Rainbow Falls offers a simpler, shorter loop trail located closer to town.
Additionally, it’s easy to mix up this hike with Rainbow Park, a favored lakeside beach in Whistler. While Rainbow Park is just a short distance away, it’s crucial to recognize that the Rainbow Falls Loop Trail is distinct and not located within Rainbow Park.
The Hike
You can locate the trailhead for the Rainbow Falls Loop on the left (west side) of the paved parking area. You’ll notice several prominent information signs, a convenient bike rack, and an outhouse facility. Please note that the trail departing from the right side of the parking area is designated as your return route.
The journey commences with a gradual uphill ascent through the forest, along a meticulously maintained trail. While on this path, you’ll have the soothing sound of Twentyone Mile Creek flowing to your right, although the dense forest may obstruct your view of the creek itself.
Shortly after you begin, the trail will bring you close to an old road on the left. Keep an eye out for the orange markers to stay on the trail as it veers away from the road to the right. In this part of the trail, you may come across a few trail branches, but it’s best to follow the path marked with the orange indicators, as well as the most clearly defined route.
As you progress, take a moment to glance behind you for a wonderful view of Blackcomb Peak. The forest in this area was thinned in 2017 to remove dead trees and mitigate the risk of wildfires, giving the forest a more open and spacious feel compared to other sections of the trail.
At approximately 0.6 kilometers from the trailhead, you’ll come upon a junction where a side trail angles down to the right. This is a crucial point not to overlook because it’s where you’ll have the opportunity to witness the falls. Be sure not to miss this intersection as it leads to the magnificent Rainbow Falls!
Continue along the side trail, which will take you to a fallen log. Clamber over the log, and then follow a somewhat rugged path that descends towards the creek. Here, you’ll be rewarded with the sight of several smaller waterfalls.
As you proceed, you’ll come across intermittent glimpses of the primary Rainbow Falls. These falls consist of two distinct cascades that converge closely alongside one another, although they might be challenging to discern clearly through the surrounding trees.
While some hikers might choose to turn back at this point since they’ve already seen the falls, I recommend continuing along the complete loop. By doing so, you’ll have more opportunities to admire both the falls and the picturesque Twentyone Mile Creek.
A few minutes beyond the falls, the trail intersects a gravel road within an open clearing. The building you’ll encounter here is a part of the Whistler water supply system. To continue on the Rainbow Falls Loop, follow the road to the right. Please note that the road to the left leads to Rainbow Lake.
Be vigilant for a trail that veers off to the right from the road. The road comes to an end shortly, with a gate blocking further passage. When you locate the trail, descend it towards the creek.
The trail leads you down to the creek, where you’ll come across a lengthy wooden bridge for crossing. Be sure to pause and glance down into the creek bed to witness the swift-flowing water beneath. Once you’ve crossed the bridge to the other side, you’ll encounter another limited but intriguing view of the primary falls, glimpsing them through the surrounding trees.
The trail ascends slightly until it reaches a junction with various mountain bike trails. At this point, continue on the Rainbow Lake Loop Trail, steering clear of 27 Switchbacks (a section of the longer Flank Trail) that leads uphill. Additionally, there’s an unmarked trail known as “Binty’s” that runs alongside your trail but is closer to the creek and considerably steeper. Follow the trail that is the most frequently traveled and well-defined, which makes it easy to stay on course.
Continue along the trail as it winds its way downhill. Keep in mind that this is a multi-use mountain bike trail, which generally means it’s smoother than many hiking trails.
As you near the base of the hill, your path converges with the much wider Bob’s Robob Trail. Follow this broader trail through the forest, which will lead you down to the trailhead and the map board situated on the right side of the parking area, marking the completion of your loop.
Facilities at Rainbow Falls
All facilities at Rainbow Falls are near the parking area. There are 2-3 picnic tables overlooking the creek right next to the carpark. There is also one bathroom at the left hand side (beginning of trail).
Bear Safety
Always be aware of the appropriate bear safety procedures when in Whistler all year round, but especially during the Summer as during this time the bears of the area come down the mountain and into and around the village looking for food. 2023 had more bears then usual in the area with multiple grizzly sightings. Click here – Bear Safety – for more information. And Click here – Black Bear or Grizzly Bear? -for information on a Black bear vs a Grizzly Bear.
Cultural & Historical Information
The exact identification of which of the multiple cascades along Twentyone Mile Creek constitutes Rainbow Falls remains somewhat ambiguous. Historically, people may have used the term “Rainbow Falls” to describe the entire sequence of waterfalls, or they might have associated it with a specific set of falls within the area. Unfortunately, there is a lack of definitive knowledge about which falls should be designated with this name, and our understanding remains somewhat speculative.
Rainbow Falls FAQ
How Long is Rainbow Falls Hike?
2.2km – Roughly 1 hour to complete
Can you Swim there?
It is prohibited to swim at Rainbow Falls as the falls is part of Whistler’s drinking supply.
Dog Friendly?
Dogs are permitted at Rainbow Falls. Only when a leash is used.