Kakabeka Falls, Waterfall at Oliver Paipoonge, Canada

Kakabeka Falls is a waterfall on the Kaministiquia River in Ontario that drops about 40 meters (131 feet) through two tiers into a gorge carved from shale rock. The water flows through narrow rock walls and forms a wide pool at the base before the river continues its course.

The falls served as a navigation point for fur traders and voyageurs crossing the river system in the 18th century. They had to carry their canoes and goods around the drop, making this spot an important rest stop on long journeys.

The name comes from the Ojibwe language and recalls the long connection between this place and the people of the region. Visitors today can walk along maintained paths and watch the power of the water from several viewing points.

The park maintains 17.9 km of hiking on six trails, and a 1.3 km portage route bypasses the falls. Going into the gorge below the falls is prohibited because the shale is unstable. Two campgrounds hold 169 campsites, 90 with electricity, and cross-country ski trails are offered in winter.

The gorge's shale holds fossils about 1.6 billion years old, among the oldest known. The Ojibwe name gakaabikaa means "waterfall over a cliff". The Legend of Green Mantle tells of an Ojibwe chief's daughter who led Sioux warriors over the falls; some say she can be seen in the mist.