Yoho National Park of Canada
Summer
Hiking and Walking
Yoho offers spectacular scenery and over 400 km of hiking trails. Most of these trails, ranging from short walks to full day hikes are described in the Yoho National Park Backcountry Guide available at the Visitor Centre. Many higher elevation trails are snow-bound and muddy until well into July, making them highly susceptible to erosion. Hikers can help prevent trail damage by staying on the trail and obeying closure signs.
Many of Yoho's trails offer overnight backcountry opportunities.
Short Hikes (1 to 2 hours)
Wapta Falls (elevation loss 30 m) -
2.3 km trail, each way
The 2 km gravel road skirts Leanchoil marsh. From the end of the road follow the level trail to where the Kicking Horse River drops 30 m. *
Note : The trailhead is not marked on the TCH for westbound traffic as there is no left turn lane here. Continue 3 km to the west entrance of the park, turn and come back.
Emerald Lake (minor elevation gain and loss) - 5.2 km circuit
A self-guided nature trail, this scenic hike is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers from the parking area to the bridge at the back of the lake (4.6 km return).
Hamilton Falls (minor elevation gain) - 1.6 km return
The trail starts at the entrance to Emerald Lake parking area.
Centennial Trail (minor elevation gain and loss) - 2.5 km circuit
Begins at the bridge by Kicking Horse Campground on the Yoho Valley Road.
Walk-in-the-Past (elevation gain 90 m) - 4 km return
From the trailer circle in Kicking Horse Campground, cross the Yoho Valley Road and follow the trail to an abandoned, narrow-gauge locomotive used to build the Spiral Tunnels.
Point Lace Falls and Angel's Staircase - 4.4 km return
Starts at Takakkaw Falls campground. minor elevation gain
Self-Guided Interpretive Trails
- Emerald Lake
- Walk-in-the-Past