Day hikes

 Sherbrooke Lake

Length: 6.2 km
Hiking time: 2.5 hours
Elevation: 165 m
Trailhead: Parking lot on the north side of the Trans-Canada Highway, 11 km east of Field, B.C. across from Wapta Lake. Note: The trailhead is not marked for eastbound traffic as the highway is divided. Continue east for another 2 km to the Lake O’Hara Road, turn around and come back on Highway 1 west. (map)

Habitat: Typical Rocky Mountain forest with avalanche debris at the lake. Part of an important wildlife corridor. 
Description: A moderate, forested hike to a glacial lake rimmed with thick vegetation and avalanche debris.

 Laughing Falls

Length: 8.8 km
Hiking time: 3 hours
Elevation: 125 m
Trailhead: Takakkaw Falls parking lot, 17 km northeast of Field via the Trans-Canada Highway and Yoho Valley Road. Note: Yoho Valley Road is open mid-June through mid-October. Vehicles over 7 m (23 ft) in length must reverse in order to navigate around the tight switchbacks. Trailers are not permitted. (map) 

Habitat: Typical Yoho forest with moist groundcover. Watch for the very large fallen tree en route.
Description: A forested trail to a waterfall at the confluence of the Yoho and Little Yoho Rivers.

Backpacking: This trail leads to the Laughing Falls backcountry campround and is an access point for popular multiday backpacking routes.

 Kicking Horse to Otterhead

Length: 12.6 km
Hiking time: 4.5 hours
Elevation: 40 m
Trailhead: Natural Bridge parking lot, 4 km west of Field, B.C. via the Trans-Canada Highway and Emerald Lake Road. (map)

Habitat: At the confluence of three important valleys. Watch for wolf tracks.
Description: Walk or cycle an old fire road along the Kicking Horse River to the Otterhead River.

 Mt. Hunter Lookout

Length: 7.2 km
Hiking time: 3 hours
Elevation: 410 m
Trailhead: Across from Wapta Falls Road, 25 km west of Field, B.C. on the north side of the Trans-Canada Highway. Note: The trailhead is not marked for westbound traffic as there is no left turn lane here. Continue west for another 5.5 km to the park west boundary, turn right at the Beaverfoot exit and come back on highway 1 east. (map) 

Habitat: Forest leading to a fire lookout. Watch for artifacts from earlier eras.
Description: A steep trail through an open forest to a historic fire lookout tower.

 Mt. Hunter Upper Lookout

Length: 12 km
Hiking time: 5.5 hours
Elevation: 835 m
Trailhead: Across from Wapta Falls Road, 25 km west of Field, B.C. on the north side of the Trans-Canada Highway. Note: The trailhead is not marked for westbound traffic as there is no left turn lane here. Continue west for another 5.5 km to the park west boundary, turn right at the Beaverfoot exit and come back on highway 1 east. (map) 

Habitat: A drier, more exposed forest leading to a fire lookout and rocky ridge beyond.
Description: A steep trail to a historic fire lookout tower and beyond to views of the Kicking Horse and Beaverfoot Valleys.

 Hoodoos

Length: 5.2 km
Hiking time: 2.5 hours
Elevation: 325 m
Trailhead: Hoodoo Creek Campground, 23 km west of Field, B.C. on the Trans-Canada Highway. (map) 

Habitat: Watch for goat licks in the dry, light coloured soil here under the roots of trees.
Description: A steep, dry, exposed trail leading to hoodoos or capped pillars of glacial debris.

 Emerald Basin

Length: 9.2 km
Hiking time: 3.5 hours
Elevation: 225 m
Trailhead: Emerald Lake parking lot, 10 km west of Field via the Trans-Canada Highway and Emerald Lake Road. (map) 

Habitat: Lush forest, at times dense, climbing a lateral moraine to a hydrological basin and avalanche paths. Watch for bears.
Description: Start along the shore of Emerald Lake then travel through ancient stands of hemlock and cedar to a natural amphitheatre.

 Paget Lookout

Length: 7 km
Hiking time: 3 hours
Elevation: 520 m
Trailhead: Parking lot on the north side of the Trans-Canada Highway, 11 km east of Field, B.C. across from Wapta Lake. Note: The trailhead is not marked for eastbound traffic as the highway is divided. Continue east for another 2 km to the Lake O’Hara Road, turn around and come back on Highway 1 west. (map) 

Habitat: Lush forest rising into the subalpine. Watch for mountain goats on Mt. Bosworth.
Description: A steep, rocky trail to views of the Bow, Cataract Book and Kicking Horse Valleys.

 Hamilton Lake

Length: 11 km
Hiking time: 5 hours
Elevation: 850 m
Trailhead: Emerald Lake parking lot, 10 km west of Field, B.C. via the Trans-Canada Highway and Emerald Lake Road. (map) 

Habitat: Lush forest rising steeply into subalpine and rocky alpine habitats. Watch for spruce grouse.
Description: A steep and steady climb to a classic, cliff-encircled alpine tarn.

 Yoho Pass

Length: 12.8 km
Hiking time: 5 hours
Elevation: 530 m
Trailhead: Emerald Lake parking lot, 10 km west of Field, B.C. via the Trans-Canada Highway and Emerald Lake Road -OR- Takakkaw Falls parking lot, 17 km east of Field, B.C. via the Trans-Canada Highway and Yoho Valley Road. Note: Yoho Valley Road is open mid-June through mid-October. Vehicles over 7 m (23 ft) in length must reverse in order to navigate around the tight switchbacks. Trailers are not permitted. (map) 

Habitat: Lush Columbian forest. Watch for goats on the Burgess Highline.
Description: A lakeshore stroll to an alluvial fan, followed by switchbacks and waterfalls. Shuttle recommended. This trail joins with others in the Takakkaw Falls area.

Backpacking: There is a backcountry campround at Yoho Pass. This trail links the Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls areas.

 Twin Falls

Length: 16.4 km
Hiking time: 6 hours
Elevation: 300 m
Trailhead: Takakkaw Falls parking lot, 17 km northeast of Field via the Trans-Canada Highway and Yoho Valley Road. Note: Yoho Valley Road is open mid-June through mid-October. Vehicles over 7 m (23 ft) in length must reverse in order to navigate around the tight switchbacks. Trailers are not permitted. (map) 

Habitat: Drier, Rocky Mountain forest. Watch for goats above the falls.
Description: This forested trail passes Laughing Falls and carries on along the Yoho River to a spectacular double cascade and Twin Falls Tea House National Historic Site.

Backpacking: This trail leads to the Laughing Falls and Twin Falls backcountry camprounds.

 Ottertail Valley to McArthur Creek

Length: 32.4 km
Hiking time: 9 hours
Elevation: 285 m
Trailhead: Ottertail Parking lot, 8.3 km west of Field, B.C. on the south side of the Trans-Canada Highway. (map) 

Habitat: Sensitive and important wildlife habitat. Watch for bears, wolves, and goats.
Description: Walk or cycle up the Ottertail River to its confluence with McArthur Creek.

Backpacking: This trail leads to the McArthur Creek backcountry campround.

 Emerald Triangle

Length: 19.7 km
Hiking time: 8 hours
Elevation: 880 m
Trailhead: Emerald Lake parking lot, 10 km west of Field, B.C. via Trans-Canada Highway and Emerald Lake Road. (map) 

Habitat: Columbian forest and alpine habitats. Watch for mountain goats.
Description: Steady climbs and descents to both Yoho and Burgess Passes with the Wapta Highline in between. Grand views of the Emerald Valley.

 Iceline via Little Yoho

Length: 20.8 km
Hiking time: 8 hours
Elevation: 710 m
Trailhead: Takakkaw Falls parking lot, 17 km east of Field, B.C. via the Trans-Canada Highway and Yoho Valley Road. Note: Yoho Valley Road is open mid-June through mid-October. Vehicles over 7 m (23 ft) in length must reverse in order to navigate around the tight switchbacks. Trailers are not permitted. (map) 

Habitat: Glacial moraines in the high alpine. Watch for small mammals in subalpine rockpiles.
Description: A signature circuit climbing to a high bench with spectacular glacier views, descending to meadows in the Little Yoho Valley and returning past Laughing Falls in the Yoho Valley.

Backpacking: This trail passes the Little Yoho and Laughing Falls backcountry camprounds.

 Iceline via Celeste Lake

Length: 17.5 km
Hiking time: 7 hours
Elevation: 710 m
Trailhead: Takakkaw Falls parking lot, 17 km northeast of Field via the Trans-Canada Highway and Yoho Valley Road. Note: Yoho Valley Road is open mid-June through mid-October. Vehicles over 7 m (23 ft) in length must reverse in order to navigate around the tight switchbacks. Trailers are not permitted. (map) 

Habitat: Typical Rocky Mountain forest climbing to a subalpine lake. Watch for birds and small mammals.
Description: A slightly shorter descent from the classic Iceline circuit, bypassing the Little Yoho Valley but taking in Celeste Lake, alpine meadows and sub-alpine forest.

Backpacking: This trail passes the Laughing Falls backcountry campround.

 Whaleback

Length: 21.3 km
Hiking time: 7 hours
Elevation: 520 m
Trailhead: Takakkaw Falls parking lot, 17 km northeast of Field via the Trans-Canada Highway and Yoho Valley Road. Note: Yoho Valley Road is open mid-June through mid-October. Vehicles over 7 m (23 ft) in length must reverse in order to navigate around the tight switchbacks. Trailers are not permitted. (map) 

Habitat: Sensitive alpine vegetation and good goat habitat. Watch for goat hair on the trees in the spring.
Description: A classic circuit taking in the Yoho Valley and Twin Falls from both above and below. Seasonal suspension bridge – check the trail report to ensure it is in.

Backpacking: This trail leads to Twin Falls backcountry campround.

 Little Yoho Valley

Length: 18.6 km
Hiking time: 7 hours
Elevation: 520 m
Trailhead: Takakkaw Falls parking lot, 17 km northeast of Field via the Trans-Canada Highway and Yoho Valley Road. Note: Yoho Valley Road is open mid-June through mid-October. Vehicles over 7 m (23 ft) in length must reverse in order to navigate around the tight switchbacks. Trailers are not permitted. (map) 

Habitat: Subalpine hanging valley. Good place to watch small mammals.
Description: A moderate to steep forested hike into a scenic hanging valley on the doorstep of many alpine climbs.

Backpacking: This trail includes the Laughing Falls and Little Yoho backcountry camprounds, as well as Stanley Mitchell Hut. Reservations for the hut are required and can be made in advance through the Alpine Club of Canada.