• Difficulty Easy
  • Time 1.5 hours
  • Round-Trip 4km
  • Elevation Gain 40 meters
  • Season year-round
  • Camping No
  • From Vancouver 2 hours, 30 minutes
  • Public Transit No
  • Dog Friendly Yes

Trail Notice

Trail Closed due to active mining in the area. There is no access to Chapman Falls.

Chapman Falls is a beautiful, multi-tiered waterfall that is located just south of Sechelt on the Sunshine Coast. Most of the views looking directly towards Chapman Falls are partially obstructed, however there are views of the upper section of the falls.

The trail starts at a metal gate and follows a gravel road for 2km. This section is relatively boring as you follow the fairly straight road under some power lines that is used by industry to access the area.

To begin the hike, walk over the dirt mound to the right of the metal gate and begin following the road. You will pass a work site to the the right and the entire section to your left will be protected by a barbed wire to prevent people from entering the quarry.

When you reach the a small building with a sign that says "Chapman Creek Booster Pump Station", walk to the right of the building and follow the trail behind the building. The trail continues as you begin to hear the roar of Chapman Falls up ahead. Peer through the trees to see if you can catch a glimpse of the waterfall and it's multiple levels. There is one viewpoint where the trees are partially not blocking the view. There is no known safe trail down to the bottom of the waterfall as the sections surrounding the waterfall are extremely steep with sheer cliffs.

The trail continues as it reaches two metal bridges. Cross both bridges and, just after the second bridge, look for a trail to the right that leaves the main trail and offers some views of Chapman Falls. Be VERY careful and do not venture too close to the edge as falling into the creek will likely prove to be fatal.

Return to the trail and continue following it uphill until it branches off to the right where there are some views of the upper section of the waterfall and one of the pools along the rocky shoreline. The large metal pipe crosses the creek above.

This is the end of the hike, however the trail does continue along a popular mountain biking trail known as the BLT Trail. There aren't any points of interest for hikers, so it's advised to turn around at this point.

To return, follow the trail back in the direction you hiked, crossing back over the metal bridges and following the wide trail back to the pump house. At the gravel road, begin the long walk back to the metal gate where you started your hike.





How to get to Chapman Falls

Estimated Driving Time from Vancouver
2 hours, 30 minutes

Chapman Falls is located just south of Sechelt on the Sunshine Coast. If you are planning to hike this trail and drive from the Vancouver area, you will need to take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale (Gibsons).

From Gibsons, follow Highway 101 (the Sunshine Coast Highway) north towards Sechelt for about 20km. After passing the Davis Bay area where the highway is close to the water and a pier, begin to watch for a street on the right called Selma Park Road. It's about 1km bast Davis Bay and about 1km before the town of Sechelt and it's very easy to miss.

Turn right onto Selma Park Road and drive up the street. Turn left onto the first street, called Reservoir Road. This is a gravel road but it's usually well maintained. Follow the gravel road for about 2.5km until you reach another road going left / right at a clearing under some large power lines. Go left for less than 100-metres and look for a metal gate on your right. The trail starts at this metal gate and follows the gravel road on the other side of it.

View a map of Driving directions to Chapman Falls.

Traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish and Shíshálh.
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Additional Info

Camping at Chapman Falls

Camping is not permitted at Chapman Falls.

Dogs at Chapman Falls

Dogs are allowed on the trail to Chapman Falls, however it is recommended to leash your dogs while walking across the metal bridges. There are minimal railings on the bridges and with a see-through walkway, dogs may struggle to cross the bridges. Please pick up after your dogs and remove all poop from the trails.

Toilets at Chapman Falls

There are no toilet facilities at the start or along the trail to Chapman Falls.

Dogs, Toilets and Camping

Although we try to keep information as current as possible, www.vancouvertrails.com makes no warranty or representation as to the availability, quality, fitness for purpose, conditions or accuracy of the information provided with respect to this trail or trails. The information provided herein is further subject to our Terms of Use.