S01 E03 - 5 Scenic Hikes in Waterton Lakes National Park

Sometimes when you hear the terms ‘hike’ and ‘Canadian Rockies’ in the same sentence, it’s only natural to think of steep switchbacks, intense exposure, bears, and rugged narrow trails with loose footing. We admit that these exist. What would adventurous outdoor experiences be like without them? But not all National Parks in Western Canada are the same and the trails within them are just as diverse for every skill level.

Hiking is one of the best ways to experience Waterton Lakes National Park and admire one of the most scenic regions in Alberta. Located in the southwest corner of the province, the park has 200 km (120 mi) of trails and Parks Canada touts their routes from easy and moderate (for seniors and young families) to difficult for the more adventurous.

This means there’s access to the region’s natural attractions for practically any type of RVer. Since they are under the management of the park’s staff, all are well-maintained and details are available about their accessibility and conditions.

Why Consider Hiking in Waterton Lakes?

Waterton Lakes National Park covers an area of 505 sq km (195 sq mi) and most of the trails lead to diverse ecosystems, lakes (Upper Waterton Lake is the deepest in the Canadian Rockies), streams, towering forests and panoramic views. What makes the park diverse is its four ecoregions including the foothills, parklands, montane forests, plus subalpine and alpine landscapes.

According to Parks Canada, more than half of the province’s plant species can be found throughout the park and there are over 175 rare species. Twenty-two are exclusive to the region including the western wakerobin, Lewis' mock-orange, and white-veined wintergreen while over 50 are rare in Canada. These include the Bolander's quillwort, Lyall's scorpionweed, and Brewer's monkeyflower.

Depending on the area of the park, avid bird watchers can commonly see bald eagles soar and even though only approximately 37 species inhabit the park annually, more than 255 have been recorded here. Another 112 can be seen throughout the summer and 149 nests in the park.

Some popular birding spots include the Maskinonge area (near the park entrance), as well as the Bertha, Rowe and Carthew-Alderson trail systems, to name a few. The best time for bird watching is late fall when large numbers of waterfowl make their annual migration through the park.

As the park inhabits more than 60 species of animals, wildlife sightings are also common. Expect to see deer, bighorn sheep and small mammals along mountain trails while grasslands inhabit elk, mule and white-tailed deer.

Black bears also roam the various landscapes and may be seen on open slopes, in forested areas, along roadsides, and among berry patches in the lower valleys during late summer. If you’re an avid photographer, the best time to capture the animals is in the late summer or early fall when they are at their healthiest.