Hidden Canyon Falls had been mere rumor to me for several years running, so last weekend Louise and I decided to investigate exactly where this elusive waterfall was located.  Click the image above to enlarge it.

As it happens, the falls aren't so tough to find, nor are they exactly hidden. We met three individuals in the short time that we were in the area; which is more pedestrian traffic than one will meet on the vast majority of trails up and down the valley on any given summer day.

The sum total of hiking amounts to under a kilometer - return trip, yet the trail offers one of the most striking visual setting in the valley.

Locating the falls amounts to driving up Arawana Rd. until you cross the first cattle guard, located just beyond where the pavement currently ends. There you will see an obvious turnoff on your right; but few will notice the subtle road leading down and to the left off Arawana at this same point.

This less than obvious old two-track is your destination. Park alongside Arawana FSR if you can find an out of the way spot to do so, or simply drive down the aforementioned left-hand two-track to a small parking area at its terminus some 300m along.

Either way, when you get to the lower parking area, look straight off the end of the lot and a hair to the right. There you will see a quality singletrack begin to drop down the bank. If you find yourself steeply ascending an embankment on your right, then you are on the wrong path (that one is a game trail).

Follow the path as it drops to the creek below. The trail is steep in places, so watch your footing. On the way down, you may catch a glimpse of what appears to be an old cabin on your left. In reality, its just a shack, broken and littered by squatters; you can safely ignore it.

Soon you will come to a fence with a 'man-gate' in it; continue through, ignoring the left-hand trail junction (which goes back to the previously noted shack). You will cross a massive old deadfall and begin to edge closer to the creek. Follow the creek, crossing back and forth as necessary; choose your footing carefully!

In short order the canyon will narrow and you will begin to see pins and carabineers in the rock faces above your head; a mini rock-climbers haven!

At this point the route takes on a distinctly dangerous nature; the main 'qualifier' is a massive flat boulder on edge - presenting its narrow and precarious surface as the trail into the depths of the canyon. This makes for an interesting guardian of the beautiful, multi-layered waterfall beyond.

Here, you are in the realm of "one false step could really hurt; or worse". Use your head, honestly assess your abilities and don't be afraid to say "that's far enough for me".

Those blessed with the dexterity of a chimpanzee and the balance of a cat will be able to push on a little further, where an amazing, multi-layer waterfall and companion pool awaits their admiring gaze. At this point the atmosphere is quite a bit cooler than the canyon we passed through on our journey in; a welcome relief on a hot August afternoon.

I have not been in this area previously, so can't say what the falls look like earlier in the year; I have a hunch however, that its perhaps not the place to be during spring runoff! I expect that the volume of water running down Naramata Creek during April, May and June is sufficient that this canyon could be an extremely dangerous place to be. Heed this warning!

Getting There: Drive north toward Naramata on Naramata Rd., turning right onto Arawana Rd. Ascend Arawana Rd. until the pavement runs out. You will be quite close to the cattle guard at this point, along with the left and right-hand branching roadways noted above, go left.

Enjoy this amazing little hike, but please use extreme caution as you make your way along the creek; it looks to be potentially treacherous, from sprained ankles to much worse! The final few meters are high on the danger scale and definitely not for novices, the very old or young.