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Waterton, Alberta

Looking for the best hiking in Waterton? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Waterton. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Waterton

  • Waterton, Alberta

    Hike Bear's Hump, Waterton Lakes NP

    4.7
    1.7 mi / 738 ft gain
    The trailhead is located at the Visitor Center of Waterton Lakes National Park. The trail is very well maintained, but know that the elevation gain is quick - in less than a mile you gain 738 ft. Roundtrip is 1.7 miles and is totally worth the short but strenuous hike.When you reach the top there...
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  • Waterton, Alberta

    Stargaze at the Top of Bear's Hump

    1.7 mi / 656.2 ft gain
    Bear's Hump is one of the shortest hikes in Waterton Lakes National Park.  Fortunately, it also offers one of, if not the best, views of the small mountain town of Waterton and surrounding peaks.  At 2.8 kilometres and 200 meters of elevation gain round trip, this hike can be done in about an hou...
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  • Waterton, Alberta

    Hike to Crypt Lake

    4.3
    10.8 mi / 2296.6 ft gain
    The hike begins with a gradual climb through shaded forest, which thins as you progress into the hanging valley. Along the way, you will pass by three amazing waterfalls: Twin Falls at 3.5km (2 mi), Burnt Rock Falls at 5.6km (3.5 mi) and the 600ft Crypt Falls at 8km (5 mi). There is also a 1km (0...
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  • Waterton, Alberta

    Hike Mount Lineham

    I’ve heard a lot about the hiking in Waterton and the stunning scenery, but I never really bought into it from the pictures alone – I’m glad I finally took the opportunity to find out for myself. Mount Lineham is a short extension of Lineham Ridge, and while it might not eclipse the views from th...
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  • Waterton, Alberta

    Backpack the Alderson-Carthew Trail

    5.0
    12.4 mi / 4101.1 ft gain
    Take the Akamina Parkway in Wateron Lakes National Park to its terminus at Cameron Lake. Your hike will start from here. If you’re through-hiking either drop another vehicle off at Cameron Falls in the town site, or be prepared to hitch a ride back to Cameron Lake, due to heavy traffic this is ...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Backpack to Cosley Lake

    27.2 mi / 475 ft gain
    The hike goes through different wooded areas, open fields, and passes by the ranger's ranch. In no time, you will be able to see the aqua blue colors of Cosley Lake, as you approach the campground for the night.The campground has pit toilets and a bear bag hanging station, along with a cooking ar...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Backpack to the Foot of Glenns Lake

    20.6 mi / 950 ft gain
    Starting from the Chief Mountain Parking Area, take the trail to the left of the bathrooms at the end of the parking lot (left of the bathrooms if you are facing the bathrooms and the main road is to your right). You will quickly hike to a wooden kiosk. Read this kiosk for any pertinent informati...
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  • Glacier County, Montana

    Ptarmigan Lake Trail

    8.78 mi
    Ptarmigan Lake Trail is an 8.6 mile out and back hike that takes you by a waterfall located near Babb, Montana in Glacier National Park.
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  • Glacier County, Montana

    Ptarmigan Falls

    5.0
    5.11 mi / 768 ft gain
    ...The hike to Ptarmigan Falls begins next to the cabins near the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. There’s enough parking for about 10-16 vehicles in the lot next to the trailhead. This is a heavily trafficked area, so extra parking is available in front of the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. This is where I park...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Iceberg Lake

    4.9
    9.7 mi / 1200 ft gain
    The 9.7-mile out-and-back trail starts in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park, near the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. The trailhead is easy to find at the northwest corner of the Inn area and the trail is well marked the whole way. The trail heads northwest almost the entire time except for ...
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  • Swiftcurrent, Montana

    Glacier's North Circle Route (North East Section)

    9.7 mi
    Planning & Preparations As amazing as this trek is, it's certainly not without its challenges, and the first one you will run into is obtaining a backcountry permit for camping.  As it absolutely should, backcountry camping is very regulated.  Essentially, you request permits and multiple da...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Ptarmigan Tunnel

    5.0
    10.68 mi / 2713 ft gain
    This amazing 11 mile hike with 2,300 feet of vertial gain begins behind the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn cabins. If you start early enough you can park by the trailhead, but if you get a little later start you may need to park in the main lot of the Motor Inn. As you begin your hike, you will pass the...
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Camp at Bowman Lake

    5.0
    26.85 mi / 3005 ft gain
    Bowman lake is the 3rd largest lake in Glacier National Park and one of the most remote areas accessible by car. The drive out on a dirt road is slow and bumpy but the reward is an area without crowds and lots of adventure potential. The first-come-first-served campground offers 48 sites near t...
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Waterton Lake via Bowman Lake

    49.5 mi / 6365 ft gain
    Our trip started on Thursday evening, spending the night at the Bowman Lake campground. You can park your car here and it's where the hike will start and end. I recommend staying here the night before because day 1 is a doozy, so you'll want an early start. Day 1 is the hardest day of the hike, ...
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Bowman Lake to Quartz Lake Loop

    5.0
    13.3 mi / 2618 ft gain
    The trail to Quartz lake begins on southend of the Bowman Lake beach. I recommend going in a clockwise direction and getting the steep bit out of the way, but the ~13 mile loop can be done either way. Follow the Bowman Lake shore on the West Lakes Trail for about half a mile and then you will fi...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Swiftcurrent Lookout

    16.68 mi / 4491 ft gain
    Take this beautiful hike up Swiftcurrent Mountain to the Fire Lookout (8436 ft). The hike is 7.1 miles one-way from from the Swiftcurrent Inn parking lot trailhead. The elevation gain is 2,307 feet. The First 3 miles or so are a flat hike where you'll pass by several famous lakes and gain only ...
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