Devils Punchbowl Waterfall — Attraction in South Island

The walk to Devils Punchbowl Waterfall in Arthur's Pass National Park is an unforgettable experience. The trailhead is conveniently located near the Arthur’s Pass village, making it easily accessible for visitors. The track is well-maintained and winds through lush beech forests, with the sound of birdsong accompanying your journey. As you traverse the path, you'll cross a sturdy bridge over the Bealey River, providing stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

The walk is moderate, taking about an hour round-trip. The trail includes a series of steps and some incline, but the effort is rewarded with increasingly spectacular glimpses of the waterfall as you approach. Upon reaching the viewing platform, you're greeted by the sight of the majestic Devils Punchbowl Waterfall cascading 131 metres down a sheer rock face.

Spending an afternoon here is a delight. The tranquil setting, with the roar of the waterfall and the surrounding greenery, creates a perfect spot for relaxation and contemplation. You can sit and admire the waterfall, take photographs, or simply enjoy the serenity of the location.

I highly recommend a visit to Devils Punchbowl Waterfall. The combination of the invigorating walk and the stunning natural beauty makes it a must-see destination in Arthur's Pass National Park. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just looking for a peaceful spot to unwind, this landmark offers a wonderful escape into nature's...

Nice hike route here, can be a little tricky with a few rocks. Nothing too complex. Highly recommend.

Quote from ConservationHamilton.ca: "This conservation area contains two separate falls, Upper and Lower Punch Bowl Falls. The Lower Falls is a 5.5-metre classical waterfall, and the main Upper Falls is a 33.8-metre ribbon waterfall. The Devil’s Punch Bowl is one of the Niagara Escarpment’s most amazing sights, created at the end of the last ice age by huge melt-water rivers that plunged over the Stoney Creek Escarpment, thus carving the Punch Bowl and gorge. From the bottom of the falls, one can see the many different coloured rock layers of the Escarpment.  The Punch Bowl is the only area where one can view such a large vertical display of Ordovician and Silurian stratified rock.  Some of the layers include Queenston Formation red shale, Cabot Head grey shale, limestone and shale dolomite.  There is a spectacular view of Stoney Creek and Hamilton Harbour from the lookout, not to mention the view down into the seemingly bottomless gorge.  The Dofasco 2000 Trail, an 11.5-kilometre trail through upper Stoney Creek that features a long boardwalk section through Vinemount Swamp Forest,...

The Devil's Punchbowl Track is a short and popular trek that begins no more than 500 metres past the west end of the Arthur's Pass Village. There is a short turnoff road that leads to a carpark as well.

In short, the trail ascends fairly quickly through nice beech forest, crossing two small footbridges along the way. Eventually it arrives at the base of a 131-metre waterfall. Here you find an elevated platform for viewing the falls and the river which quickly drops down through a gorge below. The waterfall is nice to see from up close.

The beech trees provide a fair amount of cover from light rain and the trail is well-formed, much of which is on wooden decks and steps that are in very good condition. This makes for easy walking conditions in wet weather.

Given the proximity to the village and good trail condition, it is easy to see why this is one of the most popular walks in the National Park. It is a particularly good option for families with...