Alberta

Visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump and learn about the Plains People and their efficient buffalo hunt which ensured their survival through the harsh prairie winter.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site, 2 hours south of Calgary Alberta, shows evidence of use for over 6,000 years.  UNESCO recognized it as one of the most outstanding and well-preserved buffalo jump sites in North America.

Interpretive Centre

The modern 5-level centre’s exhibits discuss how the Head-Smashed-In location was central to the survival of the Early Plains People for thousands of years.  The displays depict the culture, ceremonies and the family life of these people who, today, are called the Blackfoot Nation.

The centre provides details of the Buffalo hunt; the preparation, the tools used, and how the buffalo was processed into useful items for the community.  For a better understanding of how these large buffalo hunts were carried out, watch the feature film in the theatre.

In addition to the exhibits in the Interpretive Centre, there are two trails that lead visitors to the top of the cliff and to the kill site at the bottom of the cliff.

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Site

What makes a good Buffalo Jump?
An efficient jump site has a sheer cliff or ridge line with an open plateau of prairie grassland behind it. Hundreds of bison stampede unknowingly to the cliff edge and fall over the precipice, landing in a heap at the base of the cliff.  The Plains people used these steep cliffs to efficiently kill bison in mass quantities, ensuring the survival of the entire community.

To access the trail which runs along the upper cliff edge, exit from the centre’s upper floor. Look back to the prairie where the bison grazed and over the cliff that they were driven from.

There is archeological evidence that at one time this cliff was 20 meters high.  Today, it is only 10 meters.  At the cliff base, beneath the soil layer, there are 10 meters of rubble consisting of buffalo bones and stone tools.  Radiocarbon dating of this rubble indicates that this site was used for approximately 6000 years.

Take a walk beneath the cliffs along the 1.2 km interpretive trail to see where the hunt ended at the cliff base.  The tribe’s temporary camp was set up near here.

A successful hunt resulted in several hundred buffalo being run over the cliff. Once the buffalo lay dead at the base of the cliff, the work had just begun. The carcasses needed to be processed quickly. 

Using sharp stone knives, the buffalo were skinned and butchered.  The most nutritious parts, the tongues and internal organs, were considered delicacies and were eaten raw. Huge cuts of meats were cooked in boiling water.  The boiled meat was dried and mixed with berries and fat to make pemmican which was their primary protein source for the winter.

The hunters returned to this cliff site year after year.

Buffalo Hunt

The best way to slaughter large numbers of bison in one hunt was to drive them to a jump site.  A successful hunt of this type required a large, communal and organized effort.

Preparation started days before the hunt.  On the plateau, the people constructed cairns which were piles of rock and brush.  Cairns were placed 5 to 10 meters apart, in 2 lines, in the shape of a funnel. The v-shaped lines of cairns created a drive lane for the buffalo.  Due to its limited vision, the buffalo perceives these lines of cairns as solid walls. 

Once the drive lane was constructed, the hunt could begin. Buffalo runners were brave young men. They slowly directed a herd of buffalo from the gathering basin and into the formed drive lanes.

As the buffalo herd moved deeper into the funnel, the buffalo runners intentionally startled the buffalo into a stampede.  Unable to see the edge of the cliff, the buffalo fell over, in the hundreds.

Why did the Buffalo Stampede?
Bison are social animals.  They gather in tight herds for protection.  When the buffalo senses or smells a threat, such as a wolf or human hunter, the lead animal moves quickly and the rest of the herd automatically follows, causing a stampede.

Spring Buffalo Hunting?
Most of the large hunts occurred in the summer and fall, after calving season.  While the Plains People did conduct hunts in the spring, the calving season had more risks.  The cow buffalo are very protective of their young calves. This maternal instinct makes their behaviour hard to predict.  Regardless, the people proceeded with their hunts as new calves were considered a delicacy.  The people were also hungry for fresh meat after surviving the winter subsisting mostly on stored food and the small amount of fresh meat provided by infrequent winter hunts.

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Geography

The geography of area around Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump makes it the perfect site for hunting buffalo.

Grasslands

Huge herds of buffalo roamed these rolling hills and plains which were covered with short, mixed grasses.   In summer, there was water in the nearby creeks and the grasses were generally thick and nutritious.

Grasslands occasionally burn due to natural causes, such as lightning strikes.  Fire clears overgrowth and more nutritious grasses grow the following season.  The Plains hunters understood this and intentionally lit fires to ensure that the buffalo would return in successive seasons.

Hidden Cliff

The area at Head-Smashed-In was an ideal jump site.  The buffalo grazed on grasses in the gathering basin.  Drive lanes were easily constructed pointing towards the cliff, which was hidden by a slight rise.  Under favourable conditions, with the wind blowing toward the cliff, the buffalo did not sense the impending danger at the edge of the cliff.

Spring Channel

A readily available water supply was important to the hunters.  The Spring Channel at Head-Smashed-In was a natural spring that seeped out from the sandstone cliffs.  This provided the people with easily accessible drinking water. However, and almost more important, the water required for the task of butchering and cooking vast quantities of buffalo was close by.  Today, the spring has moved below surface.  Evidence that this vital spring channel was above ground provides another reason why Head-Smashed-In was used as a successful site for so many years.

Oldman River Valley

The Plains People lived year-round in the Oldman River Valley.  The Oldman River, just three kilometers from Head-Smashed-In, was an ideal permanent home area to return to after a hunt.

The area had water year-round. There was quartzite rock for stone boiling to finish the processing of the meat.  Animal hides were tanned here as well.  Lodges were built and wood was available nearby, to provide warmth to survive the harsh prairie winter.

Early Plains Peoples

Thousands of years ago, the People arrived from Asia.  They migrated for generations following game to survive.  Once they arrived on the Northwest Plains, they depended on the buffalo to provide their food, clothing and tools.

Hunting buffalo on foot on the open plain was difficult.  It was more efficient to organize communities to pursue the herds for the hunt.  This cooperation was the key to their survival.

Families and Bands

A family unit was a man, his wives, children and elders.  Multiple families lived, worked and traveled together, in bands of about 50 people.

Several bands would join together at large camps during the summer.  They traded and participated in ceremonies and celebrations. They also joined together for buffalo hunts in areas like Head-Smashed-In. The goal was to butcher enough buffalo to satisfy the needs of the community and create stores for the long winter months.

Nomadic Lifestyle

For thousands of years, the Plains People moved with the herds and the seasons. Their housing needed to be easy to transport. The tipi was the perfect structure.  A large tipi typically housed a family of 6-8 members.  The sides of this portable dwelling were tanned buffalo hides sewn together.  The hides were draped over a frame of straight poles. Rocks were placed around the outside of the hides, to support the tipi.

To move the tipi, the hides were taken down and bundled onto a travois, essentially a sled, made from the tipi’s poles.  For many thousand of years, dogs were used by the Plains People to drag the travois to the next camp.  The men and women would carry their remaining possessions on their own backs.

Today, rings of rocks that supported the tipis can still be seen across the prairies.

Know Before You Go – Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump

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Visit Lethbridge’s Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden to experience a traditional yet uniquely Canadian place.

Spend a relaxing afternoon in this traditional Japanese garden with some Canadian twists. Enjoy the blending of the Japanese garden elements with the local prairie to mountain landscape.

 Your visit begins just through the gate in the beautiful building in the center of the garden.

Pavilion

The pavilion is the focal point of the garden. This impressive building was built in Japan.  It was taken apart and the pieces were shipped to the Lethbridge. They were meticulously reassembled in the Nikka Yuko garden by master craftsmen.  The pavilion is constructed of yellow cypress and cedar without the use of nails.  The wood is never painted but rather is allowed to naturally age.

Upon entering the pavilion please remove and carry your shoes.  Traditional Japanese tea ceremonies are held in the tearoom in the Pavilion.

Tea Ceremony

The traditional tea ceremony is held in a room where the floor has been covered with thick woven straw mats called tatami mats. The room also has an alcove called a tokonoma. Here a scroll and often flower arrangements are placed.  At Nikka Yuko, you can take part in a Ochakai (tea) presentation. Your host prepares the tea and then serves you, the guests, through an intricate presentation.

Dry Rock Garden

Sliding doors called shoji open to the west and reveal the dry rock garden.  The garden, often called a zen garden, is shaped by traditional Japanese aesthetics, called wabi-sabi, meaning ‘beauty in simplicity’.

The rocks are placed in clusters of 3, 5 and 7, representing islands in a sea of sand.  This is a place for quiet meditation as you observe the patterns in the sand and rocks.

After exploring the pavilion take a walk around the garden.

Nikka Yuko Garden Design

The garden was designed in the traditional Japanese style. Its designers wanted to make it authentically Canadian so all the rocks, stones, trees and shrubs are native to southern Alberta.  For example, the smaller flat stones that line the garden’s creek and pond were collected from the local Oldman River Valley by Lethbridge residents.  The garden symbolically brings the mountains, lakes, and prairies of Canada together with Japanese heritage.

Miegakure, translated as ‘hide and reveal’, is a time-honored principle in Japanese garden design.  The garden is intentionally designed to prevent the visitor from seeing the entire garden at once.  As you walk the garden’s paths, you’ll find new areas are revealed.  The integration of physical structures with the natural elements of trees and water, create peace and harmony with nature.

You’ll note that the rocks are set in the ground instead of on it.  This gives the appearance that the rocks have been there for ages.

Forest

Evergreens line the perimeter of the garden. They create a wind break and a separation from the outside world.

Within the garden, evergreens, stones and water provide the garden’s basic framework.  Deciduous trees and shrubs provide lovely colour in the fall.

Waterfall

The waterfall is beautiful symbolizing waterfalls you’ll see in the Rocky Mountains. On our fall visit, the waterfall together with the colourful maple trees was a spectacular picture.

Azumaya

Sit in the gazebo, or Azumaya, and enjoy the view and sounds of the stream. From here, you can see Henderson Lake in the distance.

Water – Streams and Islands

Water is the heart of the garden and represents purity in Japanese culture.

The sound and flow of the water changes as you walk through the garden.  This is intentional in the design of the garden. The stream rushes under the azumaya, then widens and become quiet.  It tumbles over waterfalls, under the bridge and eventually becomes part of the central pond. 

The central pond symbolizes the seas. The island in its center is in the shape of a turtle, which symbolizes longevity in Japanese culture.  The surrounding earth mounds and rocks represent the local foothills and Rocky Mountains.

Similar to the water flow, the garden paths narrow and widen, symbolizing the visitor’s own changes of pace and life.

Pagoda

The granite Pagoda has five tiers representing earth, water, fire, wind and sky.

Wishing Well

The well, just to the left of the entrance gate, symbolizes the deep forest well where clean, fresh water required for the traditional tea ceremony can be found.

Nikka Yuko Friendship Bell

This bronze bell symbolizes the friendship between Japan and Canada and was made in Japan. It weights three-quarters of a ton. The bell is rung by being struck on the outside.   Make sure you give the bell a tap to send out a message of goodwill and understanding.

Prairie Area

The open grassy area represents the Alberta prairies.  Use the stepping stones to cross the prairie and make your way to the pond.  The flat stones you see represent a beach.   All of these stones were individually selected and carefully placed by hand.  Enjoy the peaceful solitude at the water’s edge, with its lone stone lantern.

As you leave the garden, you’ll notice your mind is calmer after spending some time in harmony with nature.

Nikka Yuko – Know Before You Go

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Once you leave the garden, be sure to check out our post Things to Do in Lethbridge for more ways to spend your day in Lethbridge, Alberta.

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Enjoy a day in Lethbridge, the beautiful prairie city on the Oldman River.

Relax and re-energize in a traditional Japanese garden. See the steel-trestle High Level Bridge spanning the Oldman River Valley. Explore some of the many trails in the valley below.  Learn about Lethbridge’s frontier town roots at Fort Whoop-Up.

There’s lots of things to do to fill your day.

One Day in Lethbridge Alberta

If you have one day in Lethbridge, make sure your itinerary includes these top two sites.

1. Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden
2. High Level Bridge
   

Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden

A Japanese garden located in the middle of the Canadian Prairies? 

Yes.  This Lethbridge garden adheres to the traditions of a Japanese garden.  However, it is unique as it is designed with elements that represent the mountains and the prairies of Alberta.  Local plants and materials have been incorporated as well.

Take your time and relax.  Start by spending some quiet time in the pavilion and zen garden.  You can further immerse yourself in Japanese culture by participating in an age-old ritual, the traditional tea ceremony. Stroll through these beautiful grounds that are interspersed with flowing water, bridges, ponds and rock gardens. 

The Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden is a beautiful experience of tranquility and harmony.

Henderson Lake Park

Right beside Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, is beautiful Henderson Lake.  If you have the time, walk the full loop around this man-made lake. It’s about 2.5 kilometres.

Lethbridge High Level Bridge

This is the world’s highest and longest steel trestle bridge.  It rises 96 meters above the river bed and is about 1.6 kilometres long.

This train bridge is officially called the Lethbridge Viaduct, but is commonly referred to as the High Level Bridge.

In the early 20^th century, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) needed to remove the steep grades and many bridges of its original route to improve efficiency in getting coal from the mines in the Crowsnest Pass to market.

Work began on this steel trestle bridge in 1907 and was completed in 1909, utilizing 12,400 tons of steel. The bridge shortened the route by 9 kilometers and removed the need to maintain 22 wooden bridges.

The railroad bridge has stood the test of time, with trains crossing it daily, more than 100 years later.

The High Level Bridge crosses the Oldman River Valley. The city has developed an extensive urban park system in the valley.  Take some time to explore the nature trails and the cultural sites found in this beautiful valley.

Lethbridge Nature Reserve

This Nature Reserve is located on the east side of the Oldman River and just north of the High Level Bridge. It is a great place to hit the trails among the cottonwood trees.

Helen Schuler Nature Centre

This small nature centre has many unique and interactive exhibits.  The displays describe the Oldman River valley and coulee.  There are also temporary exhibits that highlight the wildlife of the area.  The centre provides a great introduction before you hike the trails of the 80 hectare reserve.  You can also just relax on the roof top, green garden patio, and watch the trains go across the bridge.

To the south of High Level Bridge, is Indian Battle Park.

Indian Battle Park

Indian Battle Park was named after the 1870 battle between the Cree and Blackfoot tribes.  One year later, a formal peace treaty was signed between these two first nations.

Today, Indian Battle Park is a beautiful green space with picnic facilities.  There is a network of walking trails.  Take a walk along the river, or head up the stairways on the hillside.  Enjoy the great views of the valley and the High Level Bridge from the many benches at the end of your climb.

Fort Whoop-Up

Located within Indian Battle Park, Fort Whoop-Up is a historic replica of the original trading post of the late 1800s. 

When the US Army stopped the alcohol trade in Montana, many American traders moved north.  The trading post of Fort Hamilton was built, in 1869, near Lethbridge.

Besides trading regular goods, such as buffalo blankets and firearms with the local Blackfoot people, the trading post also sold illegal whiskey.

The fort eventually became known by its nickname, Fort Whoop-Up. 

The lawlessness of the area (including incidents such as the Cypress Hills Massacre) forced the government to take action.  The newly created North-West Mounted Police was sent to the area to establish order and manage the trading post.  After several fires, the fort lost significance and was eventually deserted between 1890 and 1892.

The current fort was built in 1967 and is just downstream from the original site.  Today, you can experience the lives of the traders that visited and lived within this community.  There are seasonal re-enactments and wagon rides for the kids.

Lethbridge Attractions and Map

Lethbridge Day Trips

Lethbridge has 3 world-renowned UNESCO sites, just a short drive away. Using Lethbridge as a base, these sites make for excellent day trip options.

1. Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump

2. Waterton Lakes National Park

3. Writing-on-Stone Wall Provincial Park

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Waterton Lakes National Park is a beautiful park located on the Alberta/Montana border.  This small yet diverse park showcases amazing landscapes from the Rocky Mountains to prairie grasslands to the outstanding Waterton Lakes.  

Whether your idea of an adventure is a brisk hike in the mountains, a cruise on the lake or visiting the iconic Prince of Wales Hotel, you can do it all in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Let this beautiful National Park leave you happy, awed and planning your return.

Waterton Itinerary

Try this 3-day plan for your Waterton trip.

• Day 1 Cruise Upper Waterton Lake aboard M.V. International and explore Waterton townsite
• Day 2 Take a Waterton Hike
• Day 3 Cycle Red Rock Parkway

Have more than three days? Take a side trip to discover two more UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  To the south is Glacier National Park, Waterton’s partner in the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. An hour north is Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, an eye-opening look at the way of life of the early aboriginal people.

Waterton Lakes National Park may be small but it is packed with incredible natural beauty.  Here are the best things to do to see this magnificent place.

Things to Do in Waterton Lakes National Park

Enjoy these activities to get the most out of your visit.

Waterton Cruise

We highly recommend that you take a cruise aboard the M.V. International, booking in advance in peak season. The International is a 72-foot ship, carrying 165 passengers and was built in 1927. It is the oldest operating passenger vessel in Canada.

The cruise departs from the marina in the townsite on Upper Waterton Lake, the deepest lake in the Canadian Rockies. The international border is about midway down the lake. When the International crosses the border, you are in Glacier National Park, Waterton’s partner in the International Peace Park.

You’ll cruise through spectacular countryside to reach the southern end of the lake and Glacier’s Goat Haunt Ranger Station then turn around for the journey back to the marina. Over the two hour cruise, the guides provide a lot of interesting and historical information in a lighthearted and humorous manner.

One stunning view from the deck of the International is the Prince of Wales Hotel high on the bluff overlooking the townsite.

Visit the Prince of Wales Hotel

The hotel, with its soaring roofs, gables and balconies, is an iconic National Historic Site. It was built in 1927 to service the increasing number of tourists visiting the park. They enjoyed sumptuous meals including afternoon tea which is still served today.

At the back of the hotel, on the edge of the steep cliff, the view to the south of Upper Waterton Lake is incredible. Should a storm be rolling across the lake, the view becomes jaw-dropping.

The lovely town at the side of the lake is a great place to explore. You’ll learn some history as you tour and enjoy the stunning scenery.

Cycle or walk the Townsite Loop Trail

The townsite loop is about 3 kilometers on flat level ground. There are interpretive panels at many spots. Start the tour at the marina where there is lots of parking. The point at the end of the marina is a beautiful spot to photograph the hotel on the bluff.

There are a pair of red Adirondack-style chairs, perfect for relaxing and a impressive photo.  Park staff have placed several red chairs in some of the most scenic areas of the park.  See if you can find them all.

Back at the corner of the marina, a small plaza commemorates the lasting cooperation along the border between Canada and the United States.

International Peace Park Plaza

The interpretive signs in the plaza provide information about the International Boundary Commission, the birth of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park and the ecosystem known as the Crown of the Continent.

Continue your tour to the western edge of town.  To get there you can either take the streets exploring the interesting shops and restaurants, or take the path along the lakeshore and through the Townsite Campground. On the other side of town, you’ll find a beautiful waterfall.

Cameron Falls

This delightful waterfall is the crystal clear waters of Cameron Creek falling over slanting ancient rocks. Walk up the paved path on the right side for closer views of the falls.  Heading back down the path, you’ll see some beautiful views of the Upper Waterton Valley. This waterfall is a stunning piece of nature at the edge of town.

One way to find more waterfalls and gorgeous scenery in the rest of Waterton Lakes National Park is to take a hike on the park trails.

Waterton Hikes

There are hiking trails for everyone, from short easy hikes, to difficult and multi-day hikes. Here are the details of several popular ones.

	Length (return)	Time	Difficulty	Elevation gain
Linnett Lake Loop	1 km	20 min	Easy	minimal
Lower Bertha Falls	5.2 km	1.5 hrs	Moderate	175 m
Upper Bertha Falls and Bertha Lake	10.4 km	4.5 hrs	Moderate	460 m
Crypt Lake Trail	17.2 km	6 hrs	Easy sections but difficult at end	675 m
Red rock canyon	0.7 km	20 min	Easy	minimal

Linnett Lake Loop Trail

This paved loop around the tiny lake is perfect for beginners and families with small children. It is a great hike in the spring to listen for birds and see nature awakening.

Lower Bertha Falls and on to Bertha Lake

This moderate trail takes you to a viewpoint overlooking Upper Waterton Lake and along a creek to Lower Bertha Falls, a bridal-veil waterfall.  This is the start of the longer hike to Bertha Lake. Climb up steep switchbacks to Upper Bertha Falls and hike onward to get rewarding views of the beautiful lake surrounded by magnificent peaks.

Crypt Lake Trail

On this all-day strenuous hike, you’ll wind through a mountain forest, hike by waterfalls and up steep slopes. You’ll climb a ladder (about 2 meters long) and go through a tight 20-meter tunnel. The hike ends at spectacular Crypt Lake.

A boat shuttle from the townsite takes you to and from the trailhead.  Reserve your shuttle ahead of time to partake in this amazing hike.

Red Rock Canyon

This easy loop around and through Red Rock Canyon showcases the beautiful canyon with rocks of red, white and green.

There are more trails in the park in addition to those above. Some hikes are led by park staff. Horseback riding is allowed on some trails as well. You can check at the visitor center for details about any of the trails or any other questions you may have.

More fun things to do in Waterton

If you are looking for more physical activity during your Waterton stay, here are some other options.

Watersports

The calm waters of sheltered Emerald Bay at the north end of Upper Waterton Lake are perfect for swimming and paddle boarding. At the beach, enjoy the sun or a picnic at the nearby tables while you watch brave people swim. It’s definitely a summer activity as the water temperature is seldom above 15C degrees.

Canoe or kayak around Emerald Bay or any of the Waterton Lakes. Steady breezes make the lakes popular among windsurfers and sailboarders too.

Waterton Biking

Take a bike ride for a change of pace and a different view of the park. Biking is permitted on all park roads and some trails. There are routes for all ability levels. Some routes may be affected by the winds which are often strong. Roads and trails can be very busy during peak season. When you are biking, be keenly aware of traffic all around you, regardless of whether it is vehicle, bike or foot traffic.

Here is a quick summary of the details of the roads and trails.

Name	Length (return)	Difficulty	Features
Entrance Road	16 km	Easy	Relatively flat
Kootenai Brown Trail (along some of Entrance Rd)	13.8 km	Easy	Paved
Snowshoe Trail	16.4 km	Easy	Wide, rolling
Red Rock Parkway	30 km	Easy	Narrow, winding, little to no shoulder lane
Akamina Parkway	32 km	Moderate	Narrow, winding, little to no shoulder lane, steep in places
Akamina Pass Trail	3.0 km	Moderate	Short, steep
Wishbone Trail	14 km	Moderate	Flat, wide
Crandell Loop, can be a link to join Akamina Parkway and Red Rock Parkway	8 km	Challenging	Steep rocky parts
Chief Mountain Highway	choice	Moderate	Wide shoulders, some large hills

Canoes, kayaks and bikes can be rented in Waterton townsite.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmEkKkvgcuP/

Waterton Park History

Waterton Lakes National Park	First land protected in 1895. By 1911 National Parks officially encouraged tourism
International Boundary Commission	Created in 1925 to coordinate maintenance of Canada-United States border, it is the longest unmilitarized border in world
Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park	Union in 1932 of Waterton Lakes National Park and Glacier National Park to celebrate cooperation between the countries
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve	Glacier National Park designated in 1976 Waterton Lakes National Park designated in 1979
UNESCO World Heritage Site	Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park designated in 1995
Dark Sky Park	Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park designated in 2017
Kenow Fire	This fire in 2017 destroyed 38% of Waterton Lakes National Park, including most tourist facilities on Red Rock and Akamina Parkways.  The bulk of the trail system was affected in some manner.

Know Before You Go

Waterton Accommodations

Looking for an accommodation in Waterton Lakes National Park?

Waterton Hotels

The town of Waterton is your home base for exploring the surrounding Waterton Lakes National Park. Check out these great options.

• Northland Lodge – Waterton Park – Where We Stayed
• Waterton Glacier Suites – Great Value
• Here are other great hotels in Waterton

If you are camping, the Waterton Townsite Campground is a great option. Sites can be reserved through the park website.

Waterton Lakes National Park Map

This interactive map will get you to the park and keep you oriented on the roads and in town while you are here.

Side Trips

These two places have been recognized by UNESCO. If you have time, they are definitely worth visiting.

Glacier National Park

Take a couple days and travel south on Chief Mountain Highway to Glacier National Park. Travel the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, a park highlight itself, to Logan Pass and Lake McDonald. You’ll see snow-covered mountain peaks, valleys with glacier-fed rivers and lakes and waterfalls both big and small. Like Waterton, there are lots of hiking options to get you close to nature.

Check out our One Week in Glacier National Park post for some great itinerary options.

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump

If you arrived via Calgary, a visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must. The interpretive center explains the importance of the buffalo or bison to the Plains tribes for 6,000 years. Look over a vast prairie landscape, from an 11-meter high cliff, and learn more about the cultural significance of this cliff to the Plains People.

To plan your visit or learn more about the history of this site, be sure to check out our post, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump.

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The Lake Louise area offers lots of great hiking options.  Our pick for the best hike in Banff National Park is the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail.

On this hike you’ll see sweeping views of Lake Louise and a chance to see Victoria Glacier up close.

Try an easy hike to Six Glaciers Teahouse and back in about 4 hours or enjoy a longer hike by adding on one of the other Lake Louise trails.

Day Hike Plan

Here is the plan of our Lake Louise day hike.

• Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail (25 minutes)
• Plain of Six Glaciers Trail (65 minutes)
• Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse (half hour)
• Abbot Pass Viewpoint return (1 hour 20 minutes)
• Highline Trail (1 hour 40 minutes)
• Lake Agnes Trail (1 hour)

Total Hike Time: 6 hours

The times above are our total time to complete each section. We hope this helps you plan your own Lake Louise Hike.

Lake Louise Trail Map

This map shows the hiking trails of Upper Lake Louise.

Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail

The Lakeshore Trail is the first section of the Plain of Six Glaciers trail.

The trail begins behind the famous Chateau Lake Louise.  Stand among throngs of tourists taking the iconic photo of the Rockies reflected in the mirror of beautiful Lake Louise.

Follow the trail signs and walk the flat Lakeshore Trail to the end of this stunning turquoise lake.  You will notice that the crowds subside the further you walk around Lake Louise.

At the end of the lake, a white milky creek deposits its silt onto the large delta.  It is these silt particles that give the lake its turquoise color.

Enjoy a walk along the delta and admire the lake before you begin your ascent to the plain above.

Plain of Six Glaciers Trail

The Plain of Six Glaciers hike is considered moderately difficult.  The trail’s elevation change is 385 meters between Lake Louise and the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse.

As you climb through the valley, the forest will thin offering great views ahead and behind you.  Passing the tree line, you’ll often see mountain goats on the steep valley sides. 

The landscape then transitions from low shrubs to a rocky area where there are incredible views of Lake Louise far in the distance.

This is a popular trail but it never feels crowded.  A horse trail also weaves with the main trail, bringing both tourists and supplies up to the teahouse. After navigating a couple of switchbacks, you’ll reach the teahouse.

Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse 

The rustic teahouse is a great place for a well deserved lunch as you relax and enjoy the beautiful mountain views.

Two Swiss guides built the teahouse for the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1927.  The teahouse was purchased in 1959 by the Kimbal family and has been in operation ever since.  At the start of the year, the main raw supplies (flour, sugar, etc.) are helicoptered in to last the entire hiking season.  Fresh supplies are brought up daily, either by pack-horse or carried up by staff.

There is no electricity here, but that doesn’t stop the staff from creating fine fresh meals each day on propane stoves. The teahouse serves refreshing teas, sandwiches, soups and snacks. 

This two-storey teahouse has ample seating both inside and outside along its wrap-around balconies.  Modern outhouses are here as well.  It’s the perfect spot to refresh mind and body before proceeding on your hike.

Abbot Pass Viewpoint

Many hikers end their hike at the teahouse, but we think this is a mistake.  After lunch, we recommend extending your hike to the Abbot Pass Viewpoint.

The trek is not difficult.  You’ll hike another 1.5 kilometers along a moraine, climbing 50 meters in elevation.  The trail ends at the Abbots Pass Viewpoint on the side of a scree slope.

It may add a bit over an hour to your trip, but the great views of Victoria Glacier with Mount Lefroy and Mount Victoria on either side are stunning rewards.

If you look closely at the top of the pass, you might be able to make out the mountaineer’s hut built in 1922.  Abbot Pass Hut is maintained by the Alpine Club of Canada.  At an elevation of about 2900 meters, it is the second highest permanently habitable structure in Canada.

Although it was windy and snowy on our visit, we spent a good 15 minutes at the viewpoint taking photos and scrambling on the rocks above the trail.

When you’ve finished exploring, just turn around and hike the same trail down, past the teahouse, and back to Lake Louise.

We decided to extend our hike, by taking the Highline Trail to visiting Lake Agnes.

Highline Trail

This trail is an excellent option to extend the Plain of Six Glaciers hike.  The Highline Trail links the two teahouses and offers some solitude as it gets far fewer hikers than the two individual teahouse trails.

To access it, hike back down from the teahouse for about 1.5 kilometers.  You’ll come to a forked junction. Head left here.  This is the Highline Trail.

The trail offers a nice variety of scenery.  The lower part is open meadows with great mountain views while the upper portion is thick pine forest.  There are several vantage points along the trail to photograph Lake Louise far below.

The trail is not steep and elevation gain is minimal.

The Highline Trail provides two options to reach Lake Agnes. We hiked the direct route around the base of The Beehive.  There is an optional side hike, Big Beehive, taking you up and over the top.

Big Beehive Hike

You’ll arrive at a junction with a trail climbing steeply to left. The single-track connector trail has a series of switchbacks leading you to the top of the ridge where you meet the Big Beehive Trail.  Turn right to hike to the peak of The Beehive for great views of both Lake Louise and Lake Agnes.  Take the Big Beehive Trail clockwise around Lake Agnes to get to the Lake Agnes Tea House.

Lake Agnes Trail

Of the two teahouse hikes in the Lake Louise area, the hike to Lake Agnes is the easier hike and gets far more visitors. The Lake Agnes Tea House was built in 1901 as a refuge for hikers by the Canadian Pacific Railway. We rested here for 10 minutes admiring the lake and teahouse before continuing down the 3.4 km Lake Agnes Trail.

The trail winds past tiny Mirror Lake at the base of the Beehive.  The Beehive’s reflection in the lake makes for a great photograph.

The trail continues to descend 385 meters through thickly wooded hillside, eventually ending at Lake Louise.

Know Before You Go

Best Time to Go

You’ll find the best trail conditions June through August.  We visited in September.  While the weather was cooler (it did snow on the plain), we enjoyed the conditions and the lack of summer crowds. The teahouses are only open from June through October.

Lake Louise Parking

The parking lot near the Chateau fills up quickly (especially in the summer). It’s likely that you’ll end up having to park at the overflow lot along the highway and stand in line waiting for a shuttle ride to the Chateau. To enjoy a great hiking day, try to arrive early to get a good parking spot at the Chateau.

Weather

Make sure you wear sturdy shoes and warm clothes.  Dress in layers, as the weather can be sunny at the lake and then change rapidly to snow flurries up on the plain. Bring rain and sun protection year-round.

Hiking Tips

Carry at least these items in your hiking pack.

• First aid kit with blister treatments.
• Water and snacks – There are NO taps on the trail.
• Map – Download the map below or pick up a map at the Lake Louise Visitor Center.
• Bear spray – Know how to use it (try it before you hike).

It’s Bear Country!

Bear spray is a must.
Hiking in groups is recommended. Don’t walk silently. Announce your presence by talking, singing or clapping. Wearing bells is not enough.
Should you encounter bears, stay calm. Don’t run or turn your back. Back away slowly. Keep together and try to look bigger. Always pick up small children and pets.

Other Lake Louise Activities

There are recreational activities available in addition to hiking. Horseback riding is permitted on some trails. Check the Parks Canada website. You can kayak or canoe on Lake Louise. Rentals are available at the lake. 

Interactive Plain of Six Glaciers Trail Map

With limited cell coverage in the area, we suggest you download this map prior to heading out on your hike.

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