Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bear's Hump
• Length: 1.2 kilometers/0.7 mile (40 minutes) one-way
• Elevation gain: 225 meters/740 feet
• Rating: moderate
• Trailhead: Waterton Visitor Centre
This is one of the most popular short hikes in the park, and although steep, it affords pan-
oramic views of the Waterton Valley. From the back of the visitors center parking lot, the
trail switchbacks up the northern flanks of the Bear's Hump, finishing at a rocky ledge
high above town. From this vantage point, the sweeping view extends north and east across
the prairies and south along Upper Waterton Lake to Glacier National Park.
Bertha Lake
• Length: 5.8 kilometers/3.6 miles (2 hours) one-way
• Elevation gain: 460 meters/1,510 feet
• Rating: moderate
• Trailhead: south side of the town site along Evergreen Avenue
Bertha Lake is a popular destination with day hikers and campers alike. For the first 1.5
kilometers (0.9 mile), moderate elevation gain is made to a lookout point and the junction
of the Waterton Lakeshore Trail. Then the trail branches right and levels off for just over
one kilometer (0.6 mile) to
Lower Bertha Falls.
While many casual hikers turn around at
this point, you should plan on continuing to the final destination. It's uphill all the way, as
the trail crosses an old avalanche slope before switchbacking up through a subalpine forest
to its maximum elevation on a ridge above the hanging valley in which Bertha Lake lies.
Filtered views of
Upper Bertha Falls
provide an excuse for a break along the way. From
the trail's high point, it's a short walk down to the lakeshore, from where you can continue
along either shoreline or just relax under the trees with a picnic lunch. The lake itself is
beautiful, both for its dark turquoise coloring and backdrop of mountain peaks.
Waterton Lakeshore
• Length: 14 kilometers/8.7 miles (4 hours) one-way
• Elevation gain: minimal
• Rating: moderate
• Trailhead: south side of the town site along Evergreen Avenue
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