Day Hiking Trips in the Canadian Rockies
Waterton, Castle Parks and Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
Upcoming Day Hiking Trips

Waterton Advanced Hikes (May - October)
Locations & Days:
Newman Peak
Lineham Ridge
Carthew-Alderson
For 2023, we are only offering these trips as private tours. Please contact us and we will book you in with a professional guide.
Highlights: Stunning views, alpine flora, remote mountain lakes

WATERTON INTERMEDIATE HIKES (May - October)
Locations & Days:
Bertha Lake (Saturdays)
Upper Rowe Lake (Sundays)
Boundary Bay (Mondays)
Goat Lake (Tuesdays)
Highlights: Alpine lakes, beautiful colours, wildflowers
Physical Difficulty

CASTLE PROVINCIAL PARKS (June - October)
Locations & Days:
We are delighted to offer private trips in the Castle Provincial Parks. Please contact us for details to help you see this incredible mountain region. Occassionally our Adventure Club on Sundays will do trips into the Castle Parks.
Highlights: Uncrowded trails, off-the-beaten-path beauty, mountains for days
Physical Difficulty

Adventure Club
Location: Around Crowsnest Pass
Days: Year-Round
Women's Beginner Adventure Club (Tues @ 5:30 - 7:30pm)
Intermediate Adventure Club (Wed @ 5:30 - 8:30pm)
Advanced Adventure Club (Thurs @ 5:30 - 9:30pm)
Weekend Adventure Club (Sunday @ 9 - 3pm)
Highlights: Off-the-beaten-path, new adventures every week, trip organizer with new locations weekly, and local knowledge
Physical Difficulty ranges from beginner to intermediate

Private Guided Tours
Location: Waterton, Castle Parks, Crowsnest Pass
Days: Year-Round
You let us know what you want to see, do, or what you like to do. We will plan the rest. Contact us directly to set up your private guided tour.
Highlights: We plan for you, hidden gems, local knowledge, amazing guides
Physical Difficulty ranges from beginner to advanced

"Our group spent two days hiking, first to a stunning summit in Castle Provincial Park and then another trek the following day up to one of the lesser known hidden gems in the area (of which I'm to understand she has many up her sleeve). Our party consisted of relatively experienced backcountry enthusiasts and everyone agreed that this rare guided excursion was adequately challenging with breathtaking views that can only be earned through a healthy dose of exertion - great value for the fee!"
Day Hiking Information
Waterton Advanced Day Hikes
The advanced hikes are for people who are seeking a challenge and have a solid foundation of physical fitness. These hikes are not for people who are just starting off and cannot complete a physically demanding day with 8 – 10 hours of physical activity. While it can be exciting to do a big adventure, it is more important to sign yourself up for something that you can do. We have adventures for all levels, so if you are unsure, ask one of our experts. We want to set you up for success!
Here is our summer schedule (May – October; weather depending) for Waterton Advanced Hikes:
Newman Peak
Lineham Ridge
Carthew-Alderson
Book for a one-day advanced hike, or book for multiple consecutive days of advanced hiking and save! This applies to advanced hiking and consecutive days options only. We do offer intermediate hiking options in Waterton, but the offer does not allow for mixing of intermediate with advanced hiking options. Sorry, eh.
Newman Peak
This is an in and out-hike and is not for the faint at heart or beginners. The trail starts relatively flat and easy at Red Rock Canyon, and then once we turn off of the Snowshoe Trail, the climb begins. Sections of this trail will feel exposed to the elements and if you step off the trail, it might result in a long and rocky fall. Just short of the lake, we will be greeted by a quaint waterfall. Goat Lake is a great rest stop to search for mountain goats on the cliffs above. Once our rest stop is done, we will continue towards the Avion col and then up to Newman Peak, which is actually located in Castle Provincial Parks. We always think that we need to spend some time on the summit; we worked so hard to get there, now let’s enjoy! We will then head back the same way we came.
This hike is rated as very challenging and if it is a hot day, you can easily struggle. Our professional guides are certified as hiking guides with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and the Interpretive Guide Association. We are certified, insured, and permitted to work in Waterton Lakes National Park, Castle Parks, and Crowsnest Pass. Safety is our number one priority and our second priority is to ensure that you get our expert knowledge and leave with amazing memories that will last a lifetime.
Round Trip
Distance: 20.1km
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,164m
Hiking Time: 8 – 12 hours
Lineham Ridge
This hike is actually one of our favourites. We love the views from the top of Lineham Ridge and they never get old. Along this trail, we often see a lot of wildlife and we walk through a beautiful wildflower meadow. There is no part of this trail that we rate as easy, although there are easier sections. We start the hike with a somewhat gentle incline going towards Rowe Lakes. After Lower Rowe Lake, we walk through a stunning wildflower meadow, and then the real elevation gain starts! We will venture on switchbacks up to the ridge, but it is worth it when you get views looking at a sea of mountains and peering down at alpine lakes. We will head back the same way we came.
This hike is rated as very challenging and will require a lot of physical and mental strength. Our professional guides are certified as hiking guides with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and the Interpretive Guide Association. We are certified, insured, and permitted to work in Waterton Lakes National Park, Castle Parks, and Crowsnest Pass. Safety is our number one priority and our second priority is to ensure that you get our expert knowledge and leave with amazing memories that will last a lifetime.
Round Trip
Distance: 17.2km
Elevation Gain/Loss: 960m
Hiking Time: 8 – 10 hours
Carthew-Alderson
This hike is known for being part of the Triple Crown and a crowd pleaser. Starting at Cameron Lake, we will then end in the townsite of Waterton making it a thru-hike. Along this hike, we will come to several lakes and view several more alpine lakes in the distance. Skirting the border of Canada and the US, we maybe tempted to hop over to the other side, but we continue on check out stunning ridges before making our decent towards town. Surrounded by majestic mountains and lakes that will quickly cool you off on a hot day.
This hike is rated as challenging and will require a lot of physical and mental strength. Our professional guides are certified as hiking guides with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and the Interpretive Guide Association. We are certified, insured, and permitted to work in Waterton Lakes National Park, Castle Parks, and Crowsnest Pass. Safety is our number one priority and our second priority is to ensure that you get our expert knowledge and leave with amazing memories that will last a lifetime.
Round Trip
Distance: 20.1km
Elevation Gain/Loss: 650m
Hiking Time: 6 – 9 hours
What to Expect: These are ADVANCED hikes and only people with a high physical endurance should attempt these hikes. You can expect that your guide is physically fit and extremely knowledgeable about the area. If someone signs up for this trip who is not physically able to make it to the destination, then everyone will need to return to the trailhead together. Don’t be that person. We advertise these trips as advanced because they are advanced. If you want something easier, then let’s set you up with something easier. It’s that simple. We are professional guides who want to see you succeed and share our knowledge of the places we love.
Waterton Intermediate Day Hikes
The intermediate hikes are for people who want to see Waterton, have some physical fitness, and want to get outside for 5 - 8 hours. All of these hikes are hand-picked and are personal favourites. We love to share our passion for all things mountains, so join us in Waterton Lakes National Park.
Here is our summer schedule (May – October; weather depending) for Waterton Intermediate Hikes:
Saturdays: Bertha Lake
Sundays: Upper Rowe Lake
Mondays: Boundary Bay
Tuesdays: Goat Lake
Book for a one-day intermediate hike, or book for multiple consecutive days of intermediate hiking and save! This applies to intermediate hiking and consecutive day options only. We do offer advanced hiking options in Waterton, but the offer does not allow for mixing of intermediate with advanced hiking options. Sorry, eh.
Bertha Lake (Saturdays)
Bertha Lake is a sight to see and an alpine lake worth adventuring to enjoy. Along the way, we see some of the most incredible wildflowers in Waterton, while also getting views of Upper Waterton Lake. We get a little bit of everything along this trail. We will see mountain vistas, wildflower galore, waterfall paradise, and an alpine lake. Can we ask for another more? The only thing to complete this hike is you and the incredible people to enjoy it with. This is an in and out-hike. We will head back the same way we came.
This hike is rated as moderate (relative to other mountain hikes) and will require physical and mental strength. Our professional guides are certified as hiking guides with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and the Interpretive Guide Association. We are certified, insured, and permitted to work in Waterton Lakes National Park, Castle Parks, and Crowsnest Pass. Safety is our number one priority and our second priority is to ensure that you get our expert knowledge and leave with amazing memories that will last a lifetime.
Round Trip
Distance: 10.4km
Elevation Gain/Loss: 460m
Hiking Time: 5 – 7 hours
Upper Rowe Lake (Sundays)
Have you heard about the larch trees in Waterton? Upper Rowe Lakes is one of the best places to visit the subalpine larches. While they only turn golden yellow in the fall, they are still a spectacular tree to see. Our guides love all flora and fauna and know the correct names and facts to these National Park gems. Visiting Rowe Lakes is special all times of the summer and the wildflower meadow after Lower Rowe Lakes makes July – August a great time to hike. Then the turning of the golden larches, makes the end of September another great time to visit this hike.
This hike is rated as moderate (relative to other mountain hikes) and will require physical and mental strength. Our professional guides are certified as hiking guides with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and the Interpretive Guide Association. We are certified, insured, and permitted to work in Waterton Lakes National Park, Castle Parks, and Crowsnest Pass. Safety is our number one priority and our second priority is to ensure that you get our expert knowledge and leave with amazing memories that will last a lifetime.
Round Trip
Distance: 12.8km
Elevation Gain/Loss: 575m
Hiking Time: 5 – 7 hours
Boundary Bay (Mondays)
The iconic hike from Canada to the United States of America! Find out why Waterton is an International Peace Park and join this fantastic hike to commemorate peace between two countries. This hike boasts views of mountains the entire way as we venture up and down along the Upper Waterton Lakes. After we take some time enjoying the shoreline and the United States, we will return the same way we came.
This hike is rated as moderate and will require physical strength. Our professional guides are certified as hiking guides with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and the Interpretive Guide Association. We are certified, insured, and permitted to work in Waterton Lakes National Park, Castle Parks, and Crowsnest Pass. Safety is our number one priority and our second priority is to ensure that you get our expert knowledge and leave with amazing memories that will last a lifetime.
Round Trip
Distance: 13.0km
Elevation Gain/Loss: 528m
Hiking Time: 4 – 6 hours
Goat Lake (Tuesdays)
This is an in and out-hike and is not for the faint at heart or beginners. The trail starts relatively flat and easy at Red Rock Canyon, and then once we turn off of the Snowshoe Trail, the climb begins. Sections of this trail will feel exposed to the elements and if you step off the trail, it might result in a long and rocky fall. Just short of the lake, we will be greeted by a quaint waterfall. Goat Lake is a great rest stop to search for mountain goats on the cliffs above. Once our rest stop is done, we will return the same way we came.
This hike is rated as moderate to challenging (relative to other mountain hikes) and will require physical and mental strength. Our professional guides are certified as hiking guides with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and the Interpretive Guide Association. We are certified, insured, and permitted to work in Waterton Lakes National Park, Castle Parks, and Crowsnest Pass. Safety is our number one priority and our second priority is to ensure that you get our expert knowledge and leave with amazing memories that will last a lifetime.
Round Trip
Distance: 14.0km
Elevation Gain/Loss: 500m
Hiking Time: 5 – 7 hours
What to Expect: These are INTERMEDIATE hikes and only people with physical endurance should attempt these hikes. You can expect that your guide is physically fit and extremely knowledgeable about the area. If someone signs up for this trip who is not physically able to make it to the destination, then everyone will need to return to the trailhead together. We advertise these trips as intermediate because they are intermediate for the mountains (that means elevation) and are relative to other mountain-rated hikes. If you want something easier, then let’s set you up with something easier. It’s that simple. We are professional guides who want to see you succeed and share our knowledge of the places we love.
Join us for even more Summer Activities!
We invite you to join us for some fun exploration during a nature or historical tour, a day hiking trip, or a multi-day backpacking trip this summer.
If you are looking to enhance your outdoor skills, consider taking a course with us. We offer Intro into Backpacking, Intro to Outdoor Climbing, Navigation Courses, and Wilderness First Aid Courses.
Our professional and certified guides will take you out exploring Waterton Lakes National Park, Castle Provincial Parks, and Crowsnest Pass.
Please note: When booking an experience, ensure you are aware of the location as Waterton and Crowsnest Pass are approximately a 1.5 hours drive from each other.
Want to try, but don't have the gear?
We rent gear for all our activities, look for the gear rental add-ons in your checkout, or find out more about rental gear here!
Intro into Backpacking
Learn backcountry safety, leave-no-trace, risk management, and more. Build your skills to go on your own.
Navigation
Courses
Two courses that will enhance your navigation skills: map and compass and/or tech navigation.
Intro into
Outdoor Rock
Climbing
Are you a beginner to outdoor rock climbing?
This course is for you.
Waterton Day
Hiking Trips
Are you exploring Waterton and want to enhance your knowledge of the area? Book a private half or full day hike, join our expert guides!
Adventure
Club
Year-round hikes several days of the week.
Designed for locals.
Drop-ins are welcome.
Overnight
Backpacking Trips
Pick from 5 signature backpacking trips that get you off-the-beaten-path. Hurry though, these sell out.
Doors Open
and Heritage
Festival
Join us August long weekend for this heritage festival in Crowsnest Pass.