Minnehaha Falls are one of the more popular places to go "wild swimming", you can swim in this deep large pool at the base of the falls and because the falls are so spectacular, they are very popular, and it can get very busy down there during the warmer months, even if you do not wish to take a dip in the cold water, it is worth the walk to experience the falls. All up it is about 1.2kms from the car park to the base of the falls with steps and steel staircases.
This walk starts at the end of Minnehaha Falls Rd where there is a circular car park, picnic area and playground, a good signboard is right at the start of the track and for the most part, this is a reasonably easy walk if you have a good fitness level as you will encounter elevation changes and staircases and plenty of steps. Walk down the fire trail to the creek that feeds the falls, cross over if it is passable, but watch the green slime on the rocks, it makes the cross slippery. Not far past here there is a short detour for a family friendly swimming spot, lots of young families tend to go here and have a paddle in the creek.
The track past here continues to meander and gently slope down, after rain, there can be a few boggy patches, but you can usually skirt around those pretty easily, the track can be pretty rough going in places as well. Another signposted branch off to the left takes you to yet another family friendly swimming spot on the creek. Along here, if it has been raining, a small creek usually flows and adds a bit of nice bush sounds to your walk until you meetup with the main creek on your left again.
You will come to a wooden walkway that slopes down, and on your left is a wonderful set of cascades that are worthy of a picture or two. Another 5 minutes on after crossing the only bridge, the track will start to get a bit rougher in places with steps cut into rock or of the wooden variety, you can really start to hear the creek tumbling over more hidden cascades behind the veil of trees.
The valley now appears in front of you and at the time of my last visit, wonderfully attractive barriers to stop you from getting to the top lookout over the falls, you still get nice views over the valley below where you are soon going to be. Now the steps and descent starts in earnest as you follow the side of a hill before getting to your first real set of concrete steps going down. Watch your footing in the wet, as some of the top steps are not exactly flat and can be slippery.
Along a bit of a ledge and you get some really nice views of Minnehaha Falls back to your left, you are not far from the big metal staircases that get you the most of the way down into the valley, if you stop part way down and look back towards the left and the falls, you can see what is left of the original steps going down, much more exposed! Once at the bottom of the staircase, turn left and walk along under a large overhang, which is usually nice and shady up until mid-afternoon. You are now not too far from the falls.
Another 2 smaller metal staircases to go down and continue to the left, within a few minutes you will have arrived. Remember, the rocks here can be slippery, the water is cold, the pool is deep, and don't drink the water. Enjoy the waterfall and try not to think about the walk back out.
More pictures of Minnehaha Falls can be found here.
