Passes & Ridges
Castle Lookout, (early season), full day
A relatively short but steep trail brings us up to the site of an old fire lookout and an outstanding panorama of the Bow Valley.
Total distance: 7.4 km (4.6 miles)
Elevation gain: 520 m (1700 feet)
Trailhead: Follow Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A) west from Castle Junction 5 km (3 miles) to a paved parking area on the north side of the highway.
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Crowfoot Pass, full day (late season)
Crowfoot pass is a broad, alpine saddle dotted with tarns between two peaks. It offers fine glacier views along the Icefields Parkway. Because this hike involves fording a river, it is not suitable until later in the season.
Total distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Elevation gain: 420 m (1380 feet)
Trailhead: At the Crowfoot Glacier viewpoint, on the southwest side of the Icefield Parkway (Highway 93)
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Helen Lake, full day
Surrounded by beautiful alpine meadows with flower power, Helen Lake makes a great destination for people seeking unspoiled wilderness.
Total distance: 12 km (7.5 miles)
Elevation gain: 455m (1500 feet)
Trailhead: East side of the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93), 34.5 km (21.4 miles) north of Lake Louise, opposite the Crowfoot Glacier viewpoint.
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Larch Valley, full day (with Sentinel Pass option)
The meadowland above Moraine Lake, with its larches and panoramic backdrop of the Ten Peaks, makes this an exquisite destination. For the more adventurous hiker, there is an option to climb Sentinel Pass, one of Canada’s highest maintained trails at 2600 m (8530 feet).
Total distance: 9 km (5.6 miles), with extension:
11.6 km (7.2 miles)
Elevation gain: 550 m (1800 feet), with extension:
720 m (2360 feet)
Trailhead: From Lake Louise village, follow Lake Louise Drive 3 km (1.8 miles) to the Moraine Lake Rd. Turn south (left). Follow this road 12 km (7.4 miles) to its end at Moraine Lake.
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Paget Lookout, full day (early season)
With a grand panoramic view from the Bow Valley in the east to the Kicking Horse Valley in the west, this old fire lookout site is definitely worth the climb.
Total distance: 7 km (4.3 miles)
Elevation gain: 520 m (1700 feet)
Trailhead: At the Wapta Lake picnic area on the north side of Highway 1, 15 km (9.3 miles) west of Lake Louise, just 500 m (550 yards) west of “West Louise Lodge”.
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Saddleback, full day (with Sheol Valley option)
Saddleback, a beautiful little pass set among larches, offers the most amazing views of Mount Temple near Lake Louise. For those with lots of energy, there is an option to extend this hike into Sheol Valley.
Total distance: 7.4 km (4.6 miles), with extension:
12 km (7.4 miles)
Elevation gain: 600 m (2000 feet)
Trailhead: Near the shore of Lake Louise.
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Yoho Lake - Iceline loop, full day
This trail leads to a small, green lake and on to an open slope with spectacular views of Yoho Valley and Takakkaw Falls, one of Canada’s highest waterfalls.
Total distance: 9 - 13 km (5.6 - 8 miles)
Elevation gain: 360 - 700 m ( 1200 - 2300 feet)
Trailhead: Follow Highway 1 to the Yoho Valley Rd., 3.7 km (2.3 miles) east of Field, 22.3 km (13.8 miles) west of Lake Louise. Turn north and follow this road, 3.3 km (8.3 miles) to Whiskey Jack hostel. The trailhead is in the hostel parking area.