Takakkaw Falls to Yoho Lake circuit

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Canada's Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 6.3 miles / 10.1 km
Duration: Half day

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Overview: Yoho National Park is an incredibly stunning part of the Canadian Rockies. However, many of the area's best natural features are either just a few minutes stroll from a car park (and get the crowds to match) or are reached via strenuous hikes requiring car pick-ups at the end or longer ones requiring overnight camping.

This trail hits the middle ground - a good half-day walk that loops back to where you started. Along the way you'll get amongst the mist of the Takakkaw Falls, have lunch next to your choice of glacial lakes and enjoy views of Emerald Glacier and the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Tips: You need a pass for entry to any Canadian national park and these can be purchased from the visitor information centre at Field (on the Trans-Canada Highway about 3km west of the Yoho Valley Road turnoff). It may work out cheaper to buy an annual pass if you are staying for a week or more or are planning other park visits.

There is the possibility of encountering bears on this trail, particularly on the forested path to Yoho Lake, so take the usual precautions. If you are unsure about these, the friendly park staff at the Field Visitor Centre are always happy to run through them.

Points of Interest

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Takakkaw Falls car park & trailhead

The trailhead is easy to find. From Trans-Canada Highway 1, take the Yoho Valley Road turnoff about 3km (2 miles) east of Field. The car park is 12 km (7 miles) ahead. You won't miss it - there's no more road beyond there.

The views don't stop when the hike does. The return drive back down this road is a worthwhile trip in its own right with fantastic Yoho valley and mountain scenery.

There is a campground, toilets and picnic tables near the car park..

View to Mt Stephen on return drive.jpg Photo

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Takakkaw Falls

Takakkaw is the Cree people's word for 'magnificent' and nobody is arguing. The 255m falls are fed by the Daly Glacier (which is out of sight from this section of the trail).

The path from the car park is paved and suitable for wheelchairs, but there are also opportunities to clamber over rocks and get amidst the mist if that's your thing.

You reach the base of the falls by crossing a footbridge over the ice-blue water. This trail passes this point again on the return leg, so you can leave it for later if the crowds are particularly busy or the light poor for photography. But I bet you won't - the sound of the water crashing down is like the call of the Sirens.

Footbridge leading to Takakkaw Falls Photo

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Trail to Whiskey Jack Hostel

Don't get too mesmerised by the waterfall to appreciate the other scenery nearby. As you walk back from the falls to pick up the next section of the trail, there are great views to Mount Ogden in the east and (on a clear day) the Cathedral mountain range to the south.

Soon after the trail crosses the road, you'll see the Whiskey Jack Hostel on your left which offers cheap basic accommodation if falling asleep to the sound of those Sirens appeals (phone: +1 403-670-7580).

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Hidden Lake trail junction

About a 1km past the hostel, where this POI marker is, you'll see a trail off to the left that leads to the small emerald-green glacial Hidden Lake (about 300m). You will get other views of the lake from above on the main trail, so not a diversion you need to make unless you have a particular reason.

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Hidden Lake

As the name suggests, this tiny (but vividly colored) lake is hidden by the tall trees circling its banks but you won't miss it from this trail above.

The striking color of the water comes from light reflecting off fine rock particles deposited in the lake by millennia of glacial grinding. Indeed the lake is fed by the same glacial sources that flow on to Yoho Lake ahead.

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Trail to Yoho Lake

The first kilometre past the hostel is a modest incline. The second is the steepest part of the trail, gaining 150m in elevation. It's a series of forested switchbacks before it levels out for the rest of the trail.

Apart from the distant mountain views, in summer there are some close-up distractions to any complaining leg muscles. Wildflowers such as globe flowers, yellow glacier lillies and pink mountain heather line the trail with splashes of color.

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Yoho Lake

The glacial lake, at the foot of Wapta Mountain, makes a good spot for a break or lunch. There is also a backcountry campground on the west side.

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Highline Trail junction

At the northwest end of Yoho Lake, the trail forks. You want the Highline Trail to the north (the other, to the southeast, is a strenuous trek around Wapta Mountain to Field).

This section heads through a forest of spruce and fir before you start to hear those Takakkaw Sirens again and eventually emerge to views back to the falls and the Daly Glacier above.

Even in summer, this path and the Iceline Trail it leads to can be icy in sections. It won't usually cause walkers problems in warmer months but it's worth asking about trail conditions at the Visitor Centre at other times.

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Iceline Trail junction & views of Emerald Glacier

After 2.4km (1.5 miles), the Highline meets the Iceline and you'll turn right (southeast) for the return leg to Takakkaw Falls. From this point and further down the trail, you'll have excellent views of Emerald Glacier.

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Return trail

The return leg also gives you great views down the Yoho River Valley and straight ahead for a different perspective of Takakkaw Falls. Behind you are photo opportunities of Michael Peak.

After about a kilometre, you'll reach the junction where you turned to Yoho Lake earlier. This time it's straight ahead to retrace your steps back to the falls and the car park. If in doubt, let the Sirens guide you.