There is something exquisite about the cascading waters of a waterfall. In ancient spiritual teachings they are seen as sacred places.

Canada has more than its fair share of beautiful waterfalls, some grand, some mere ripples down the rocks. Let’s explore some of the well known and not so well known falls in the province of Ontario.

Niagara Falls

Everybody knows Niagara Falls, and there is not much to say which has not already been said. This magnificent downpour is a natural border split between the US and Canada. It is located in the State of New York on the American side and the Province of Ontario on the Canadian side.

Energy Source and Tourism

The sheer force of Niagara Falls was the focus of hydro electric power on the American side, while the Canadians, with the more visibly appealing side of Horseshoe Falls, focused on the tourism appeal.

Canadians built the Table Rock Centre, where the view of the falls is spectacular. In addition, a casino novelty shows, and grand hotels welcome the many tourists to the area.

At one point Niagara was known as Canada’s honeymoon capital. It is now a go to place for local and overseas visitors to Ontario.

Waterfalls as Sacred Spaces

Do you find yourself naturally drawn to waterfalls? These geological beauty spots have long been associated with power and vitality.

They are seen as sacred sites which hold divine energy. The waters movement follows the natural course of a river which moves from hard to soft rocks. The point of the falls interrupts this journey where the water cascades down a steep incline.

Life and Renewal

Waterfalls are considered good places to meditate as they are thought to be portals to other dimensions in some communities. They physically represent the hermetic principle of – All is motion, which means everything moves, nothing rests.

Hoggs Falls

Once you are on the road for Hoggs Falls, located on the Niagara Escarpment, don’t blink or you may miss the turn off. There is a small parking lot just a short walk away from the graceful ribbon falls on the Boyne River flowing over the escarpment. This is a 7m fall with a smooth hiking trail which connects to Lake Eugenia.

If your are feeling athletic you can climb down the rope ladder. Not sure who set this up, but you get a great view of the base of the falls. The ropes look sturdy enough, but the bottom can be a little muddy, so be careful.

Eugenia Falls

If you are still in the mood for more falls, then head over to Eugenia Falls, just a short drive from Hoggs Falls.

Europeans first came to these falls in 1852. It was the site of the second hydro electric plant in Ontario in 1905. Eugenia falls is located in a spectacular forest and they are said to be named after Princess Eugenia, wife of Napoleon III.

Eugenia is a plunge waterfall, which is one that falls vertically without touching the edge. There are many types of water falls from Horsetail, Ribbon, and Tide falls to name a few.

The view of the surrounding forests is in that rich verdant spectrum specific to Canadian landscapes, yet it comes alive with the colours of fire in autumn. The stone wall along the trail enables you to get a better vantage point of the falls, part of the trees are cut away so you can view the ethereal Beaver River as it cascades over the falls.

Kakabeka Falls, Thunder Bay

The second biggest waterfalls in Ontario is Kakabeka Falls, also known as “Niagara of the North” on the  Kaministiquia River, in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

If you want to get here via a scenic road trip, then the Trans Canada Highway is your path, curving around Lake Superior with mind blowing views.

The boardwalk along Kakabeka Falls winds around the top of the falls to give amazing vantage points. You have only to turn your head to be blessed with a stunning view of the Kaminstiquia River. Two nature power plays in one spot. The river is named for the “gakaanikaa” and means “waterfall over the cliff” in the Ojibway language.

The energy is so strong near waterfalls that you feel like you want to absorb that energy into your own. You can do this by just standing and receiving or finding a spot to meditate. It is like an invitation to the water in your own body to unite with the flowing falls for a moment in time.

Final Thoughts

Ontario has so many amazing falls of which this is just a tiny sample. If you are ever in the area, try to visit at least one. Share gratitude and enjoy the positive energy field around waterfalls.