GPS : 45.447164, -64.419651
This waterfall is picturesque. It is three falls that are not the tallest but its geological features make up for that. Not to mention the ladder built within the pool at its base of the main fall leading you to the top of the fall and into the gorge beyond. One waterfall that is worth the trek to visit. Did I mention how easy of a trek this is? It really is. These falls are located just passed Parrsboro heading towards Advocate Harbour. The first fall is approx 10-15 feet high and falls at an angle of approx 90 degrees. It has a small pool at its base and a large gorge above it. The second fall is approx 10 feet high and falls at an angle of 80 degrees. It has a small pool at its base. The third fall is approx 3-5 feet high and falls at an angle of 90 degrees with a pool at its base just upstream through the gorge of the first fall.
Important Information – Wards Falls offers a great spot for an amazing photo opportunity. The pool at the base of the falls is small and is not that deep. I would not suggest you jump from the top of the fall into the pool below. The pool might be small and shallow but you can easily get in the water and dunk your head. The gorge at the top of the falls runs through the middle of the forest for quite a long way. Watch your step if you decide to venture through it. The walls are high and the water levels within it can vary. You will encounter a small fall as you head upstream through the gorge. This fall has a pool at its base that is equally as deep as the pool at the base of the main fall. The pools walls and edges are very slippery. If you venture far enough upstream you will come to another fall, the third fall and an area that is high walled and has about 3-5 of water in depth. Walking through here is where we stopped but it was as if you were in another country. Remember how slippery the terrain is and use caution. I do not suggest using the trail on the left-hand side of the main falls pool heading up the steep hill. This small and lightly used path is hard to follow in terms of identifying it and physical capabilities. It will eventually lead you to the crest of the hill and start your decline down to your right heading back towards the river. We took this path and did not come out as we came in. It will, however, lead you to where the walls are high and the water is 3-5 feet deep as I mentioned above. As for the trail you take to these falls, it is approx 3kms in length. Don’t let this discourage you as the terrain is easy to walk on. The path is on loose dirt or mud in some areas has built-in wooden bridges to cross over the river as the path zig-zags through the forest. It is easy to navigate and find. The trail is marked by signs off the highway (Highway 209) indicating Wards Falls. The sign and turn off from the highway is on your right-hand side if traveling from Parrsboro. Once on the loose dirt and gravel road heading towards the falls, you will come to a general parking area that has a trailhead marked by a large sign stating Wards Falls this way.
Directions – These falls are located just passed Parrsboro. If you are leaving from Halifax you will drive towards Truro on highway 102 (Veterans Memorial Highway) until exit 14A on your right. At the top of this off-ramp you will turn left onto Onslow Rd (Glooscap Trail) also called NS Trunk 2 or Highway 4. Follow this highway until you reach the Masstown Market, just after the Market you will reach a roundabout that you will go around continuing on NS Trunk 2/Highway 4 (Glooscap Trail). You will come to a left hand turn that says NS Trunk 2 (Glooscap Trail), take this turn heading towards Five Islands. Following this NS Trunk 2 all the way to Parrsboro. You will enter town and come to an intersection. Tim Horton’s will be on your left-hand side just before the intersection. You are turning right at this intersection. There will be a sign on the right-hand side of the road on an awkward angle stating that you are heading towards Amherst. This is a continuation of NS Trunk 2 and you will follow it until you come to a left-hand turn. This turn leads you onto Highway 209. This turn is marked by multiple signs of places advertisements, behind all these signs is a large wheat field. Follow Highway 209 until you reach the signage on the right-hand side of the road for Wards Falls.
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