Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
• Elevation gain: minimal
• Rating: easy
• Trailhead: Boat House, Maligne Lake
This easy, pleasant walk begins from beside the Boat House, following the eastern shore of
Maligne Lake through an open area of lakeside picnic tables to a point known as
Schäffer
Viewpoint,
named for the first white person to see the valley. Across the lake are the aptly
named Bald Hills, the Maligne Range, and, to the southwest, the distinctive twin peaks of
Mount Unwin (3,268 meters/10,720 feet) and Mount Charlton (3,217 meters/10,550 feet).
After dragging yourself away from the spectacular panorama, continue along a shallow
bay before following the trail into a forest of spruce and subalpine fir, then looping back
to the middle parking lot.
Opal Hills
• Length: 8.2-kilometer/5.1-mile loop (3 hours round-trip)
• Elevation gain: 455 meters/1,500 feet
• Rating: moderate
• Trailhead: north corner, upper parking lot, Maligne Lake
This trail begins from behind the information board in the corner of the parking lot, climb-
ing steeply for 1.5 kilometers (0.9 mile) to a point where it divides. Both options end in
the high alpine meadows of the Opal Hills; the trail to the right is shorter and steeper. Once
you are in the meadow, the entire Maligne Valley can be seen below.
MM
Bald Hills
• Length: 5.2 kilometers/3.2 miles (2 hours) one-way
• Elevation gain: 495 meters/1,620 feet
• Rating: moderate
• Trailhead: picnic area at the end of Maligne Lake Road
This trail follows an old road for its entire distance to the site of a fire lookout that has long
since been removed. The sweeping view takes in the jade-green waters of Maligne Lake,
the Queen Elizabeth Ranges, and the twin peaks of Mount Unwin and Mount Charlton.
The Bald Hills extend for seven kilometers (4.3 miles), their highest summit not exceeding
2,600 meters (8,530 feet). A herd of caribou summers in the hills, although are rarely seen.
On the return journey, make the short detour to Moose Lake (see below).
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