A view from Mt. Burgess at sunset © Paul Zizka Photography
Day hikes
| Trail | Distance (return) | Time (return) | Elevation (m) | Description |
| Easy trails | ||||
| Sherbrooke Lake | 6.2 km | 3 hours | 165 | Typical Rocky Mountain forest with avalanche debris at the lake. Part of an important wildlife corridor. |
| Laughing Falls | 7.8 km | 3.5 hours | 125 | A forested trail to a waterfall at the confluence of the Yoho and Little Yoho Rivers. |
| Moderate trails | ||||
| Kicking Horse to Otterhead | 12.6 km | 4.5 hours | 40 | Walk or cycle an old fire road along the Kicking Horse River to the Otterhead River. |
| Mt. Hunter Lookout | 7.2 km | 3 hours | 410 | A steep trail through an open forest to a historic fire lookout tower. |
| Mt. Hunter Upper Lookout | 12 km | 5.5 hours | 885 | A steep trail to a historic fire lookout tower and beyond to views of the Kicking Horse and Beaverfoot Valleys |
| Hoodoos | 5.2 km | 2.5 hours | 325 | A steep, dry, exposed trail leading to hoodoos or capped pillars of glacial debris. |
| Emerald Basin | 9.2 km | 3.5 hours | 225 | Start along the shore of Emerald Lake then travel through ancient stands of hemlock and cedar to a natural amphitheatre. |
| Paget Lookout | 7 km | 3 hours | 520 | A steep, rocky trail to views of the Bow, Cataract Book and Kicking Horse Valleys. |
| Hamilton Lake | 11 km | 5 hours | 850 | A steep and steady climb to a classic, cliff-encircled alpine tarn. |
| Yoho Pass | 12.8 km | 5 hours | 530 | A lakeshore stroll to an alluvial fan, followed by switchbacks and waterfalls. Shuttle recommended. This trail joins with others in the Takakkaw Falls area. |
| Twin Falls | 16.4 km | 6 hours | 300 | 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. |
| Ottertail Valley to McArthur Creek | 32.4 km | 9 hours | 285 | Walk or cycle up the Ottertail River to its confluence with McArthur Creek. |
| Difficult trails | ||||
| Emerald Triangle | 19.7 km | 8 hours | 880 | 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 | 20.8 km | 8 hours | 710 | 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. |
| Iceline via Celeste Lake | 17.5 km | 7 hours | 695 | 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. |
| Yoho Glacier Moraine | 16.8 km | 7 hours | 250 | Walk though lush valley forests to the stark, rocky landscape of a receding glacier. |
| Whaleback | 21.3 km | 7.5 hours | 700 | 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. |
| Little Yoho Valley | 18.6 km | 7 hours | 520 | A moderate to steep forested hike into a scenic hanging valley on the doorstep of many alpine climbs. |
Trail Descriptions
For maps, detailed route finding and trail descriptions, visit the Yoho Visitor Centre or purchase a hiking guide book and topographical map. Note: There is limited cell service in Yoho National Park.
Yoho National Park on Google Maps
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. (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 east of Field via the Trans-Canada Highway and Yoho Valley Road. Note: Yoho Valley Road is open seasonally from mid-June through mid-October. Due to tight switchbacks, RVs and 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. (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. (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 across from Wapta Lake, 11 km east of Field, B.C. or 15 km west of Lake Louise, on the north side of the Trans-Canada Highway. (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. RVs and Trailers are not permitted due to steep switchbacks. (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. RVs and trailers are not permitted due to steep switchbacks. (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. RVs and trailers are not permitted due to steep switchbacks. (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 east of Field, B.C. via the Trans-Canada Highway and Yoho Valley Road. (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.
Yoho Glacier Moraine
Length: 16.8 km
Hiking time: 7 hours
Elevation: 250 m
Trailhead: Emerald Lake parking lot, 10 km west of Field, B.C. via the Trans-Canada Highway and Emerald Lake Road. (map)
Habitat: Watch for goats above Twin Falls and small mammals, such as pika, in the rocky moraine.
Description: Walk though lush valley forests to the stark, rocky landscape of a receding glacier.
Whaleback
Length: 21.3 km
Hiking time: 7 hours
Elevation: 520 m
Trailhead: Takakkaw Falls parking lot, 17 km east of Field, B.C. via the Trans-Canada Highway and Yoho Valley Road. (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 east of Field, B.C. via the Trans-Canada Highway and Yoho Valley Road. (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.