Hidden Lake

A mosaic unveiled

This spectacular hike starts off with a shuttle ride that will trim the 18 km trail down to a family-friendly 10 km. Head gently up the valley through wildflowers and larch trees. Discover the smaller pieces that make up the grand mosaic of this distinct landscape and its ecosystem and why every piece matters. Learn what unique methods Park’s Canada scientists are using towards protection and recovery of westslope cutthroat trout, a species at risk.

In autumn, this hike may feature the bonus of beautiful fall colours as the larches through the valley turn a beautiful golden hue – Note: seasonal larch colour change is weather dependant and dates vary from year to year.

Yoho National Park also offers a guided conservation hike to Paget Lookout.

Is this hike right for you? | Schedule | Cost | Reservations | Hike logistics

Hidden Lake hike

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 10 km round trip
Elevation Gain: 270 m gain and loss
Duration: 6 hours 8 am - 2 pm

Is this hike right for you?

Hidden Lake Hike is rated as a moderate hike. You don’t need to be an experienced hiker, but it is important that you are prepared in terms of fitness and personal equipment. The shuttle will bring you up a private access road to the start of the trail. A short hill quickly flattens out to a relatively wide trail on packed dirt for 3.3 km. The remaining 1.5 km of the trail narrows and climbs gently towards the lake on well maintained trail. If you have any past injuries or surgeries or medical conditions, please inform the Hiking Guide before you begin the hike.  

Please see our day hikes page for details on hike ratings and to compare other hikes in Banff National Park with similar difficulty.

Note:

• Children under 4 are not allowed
• Children between the ages of 5 and 8 are not recommended
• Children and youth up to 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult
• Parent or guardian of participants 17-19 years of age must sign a waiver at the trailhead
• No pets
• No exceptions

We want you to enjoy your day! If you are unsure if this hike is right for you, please call us at 1-403-522-3833 or by emailing pc.lakelouiseinfo-infolakelouise.pc@canada.ca.

Schedule - 2023 Hidden Lake guided hikes

Hidden Lake guided hikes run every Sunday and Monday starting July 9 to Aug 28, and every Saturday and Sunday starting Sept 2 to Sept 24.

When travelling east from Vancouver, the time changes from the Pacific Time Zone to the Mountain Time Zone at Glacier National Park’s eastern boundary. All hike times are in Mountain Daylight Time, the same time zone as Calgary, Alberta and Golden, British Columbia.

Cost

Visit our fees page for pricing

All participants on the Hidden Lake guided hikes require a valid national park pass. Purchase your pass the day before your guided hike; the park gates and visitor centres are not open in the early morning, and our guides do not sell park passes.

Hike logistics

Meeting point

Meet at the Lake Louise ski hill parking lot, Banff National Park at 8 am (MDT)
Hike ends at the same location.

Exit the Trans-Canada as for the Lake Louise Ski Resort. Continue towards the resort on Whitehorn Road and park in the main lot in front of the lodge.

Route map

 

This hike starts and ends with a 4 km shuttle ride up a radio-controlled, one-way dirt access road. There is a locked gate and members of the public are not allowed to drive on the road. The shuttle departs at 8:30 am and if you miss the shuttle there is no way for you to catch up; you will miss the hike. No refunds.

Note: When travelling east from Vancouver, the time changes from the Pacific Time Zone to the Mountain Time Zone at Glacier National Park’s eastern boundary. All hike times are in Mountain Daylight Time, the same time zone as Calgary, Alberta and Golden, B.C.

Note: Construction in the Kicking Horse Canyon, 10 km east of Golden, means periodic overnight closures of the Trans Canada Highway between 10 pm and 7 am.

These closures may impact some visitors traveling from Golden, British Columbia into Yoho National Park on the morning of their hike. Check www.drivebc.ca for details and alternate routes.