Access:
The Ark Resort at Great Central Lake is reached by traveling west from Port Alberni on HWY 4. Central Lake Road is about 13 km past Port Alberni and is marked by
signs directing you to the Ark Resort and Robertson Creek Hatchery.
Transport:
The Ark Resort offers water-taxi service, getting you close to the trail head.
Please call for rates.
We also rent canoes.
Length / Time / Restrictions
Canoes: allows 4 to 6 days; motor boat allows 2 to 4 days. Warning for canoeists: This trip ( 35 km; 7 - 12hrs ) on a large lake which can be very rough!. The trail
is a long hike suitable to intermediate hikers. It takes 5 to 8 hrs to the Falls
( 16 km ); elevation change 510m. The Love Lake trail takes about 3 hours (4km); elevation change is 800m.
To limit wildlife contact please observe Black Bear safety measures when storing and
cooking food. Please don’t risk destroying this pristine beautiful environment with a forest fire.
Description of hike to Della Falls
For adventurers seeking a satisfying hiking trip combined with a water journey, the trek into
Della Falls is well worth the effort. The trip begins at the eastern end of Great Central Lake one of Vancouver Islands largest bodies of fresh water. The western end of the lake is
reached by boat, canoe,or kayak departing from the eastern end of lake. We have boat launching, parking space, and canoe rentals. We also provide fast water-taxi service. The
lake is 45 km long and narrow, bordered by steep mountains on both sides. The wind can and does blow up quickly. Sometimes the paddling can be quite a chore because of the
winds, but navigating isn’t because the lake lies on a east / west axis.
Great Central Lake is not only large but also very deep, reaching depths of close to 400
meters. Since the installation of the dam in the 1950’s it has flooded the shoreline, it is dotted with stumps, deadheads and debris.
The winds are as fickle as the weather in this area and can change by the hour. There are
safe pullouts all along the shoreline if the weather becomes a problem for the paddlers. The western end of the lake is marked by flooded standing fir , cedar and spruce trees, 
almost like sentinels guarding the trail.
After completing the water portion of the trip, the trail is reached by a nice wharf which is for unloading only, no overnight tie ups are permitted. There
are canoe racks provided at the top of the stairs for canoes, so please store canoes there.
Other facilities are toilets, bear caches, and tent sites. There are no fires
permitted and no garbage cans so if you pack it in , you pack it out!.
Although the trail and bridge crossings have been upgraded, this hike is not to be taken lightly. 
This is a completely remote wilderness were cell phones won’t work so be prepared
and be careful, pack a First Aid kit. The trail itself heads west along a old railroad logging grade, following Drinkwater Creek named for the man who discovered the falls; Joe Drinkwater. He named the falls for his wife Della
and Margaret Creek for his mother. The grade rises in elevation but the swamps in the lower valley can mean high bug count, bring bug dope.
Roughly halfway up the trail it starts to get steeper with some spots slowing the pace noticeably. During the hot weather the creeks provide a cold drink
which is a welcome relief. At that point it is possible to look back down the valley to the lake and see how far you have come. The rock slides are rough and tumble, caution should be
taken while crossing. After 11 km a bridge crosses Drinkwater Creek over a nice gorge. The trail continues roughly to the steel bridges, which have been built on rocks across the
creek. The trail emerges leading up to the Love Lake / Septimus junction at about 15 km. The closer you get to the falls the better you can hear it roar, tumbling 440 meters in three cascades to the floor of the valley below. The best view of the falls is from Love Lake trail which is a steep switch-backing hike up the opposite side of the valley from the falls. The
Love Lake trail is best done with a light pack, camera and binoculars, etc.
At the falls itself there is a trail up the left side, which B.C. Parks considers a class one hike
for experts only, not for the faint of heart. Some people who have done this ascent wished they hadn’t as it is very steep and dangerous. There are also trails that lead west to Bedwell
Sound, to the west and Mt. Rosseau, Mt Septimus to the east.
The Della Falls trail is 16 km long and rises 510 meters so hikers should be physically fit and
have proper gear for being in the wilderness. Words or even pictures cant do the Falls justice, it is best viewed with the naked eye to be forever etched into memory as one of natures great wonders.
Rob and Monty,
Nine Peaks in back ground
Open year round
* Limited accommodations are available
Reservations require full payment
All deposits are non-refundable
Canadian Cash or Traveler cheques only ...No Credit Cards
Please contact us for more info.
Phone / Fax...( 250 ) - 723 - 2657
or....... info@ArkResort.com
Ark Resort
11000 Central Lake Rd.
Port Alberni, British Columbia
Canada, V9Y-8Z2
admin@ArkResort.com
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