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One of the best hikes in the world is
LAKE O'HARA
Hikes in this area known as:
- Lake O'Hara Alpine Circuit
- Lake McArthur
Have you hiked this area recently?
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The red dot is YOHO National Park.
 AT A GLANCE
- bus or hike to Lk O'Hara campground in Yoho
- 3 night stay (maximum)
- day hikes & scrambles
- July to mid-September
- many easy trails
- some mountaineering routes!
Many agree with us that the lakes here are the most beautiful in the world.
We have hiked O'Hara ever year for decades. It is the first place we take people who have never been to the Canadian Rockies. Even those who have never hiked in the mountains.
WHY WE LIKE THIS HIKE
Everyone loves O'Hara. It is a good place to take kids. Yet even hard core hikers are challenged.
- the high Cirque vistas
- impossibly surreal lake views.
- cliff jumping into near freezing waters
- much variety in a small area
- mixed trails including rock ledge tracks
- unique alpine vegetation
- we always seem to get good weather here
- it's close to the famous Burgess Shale
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CONSIDERATIONS
- this is a very popular hike
- it can be extremely difficult to get a camping reservation
- you can hike up a road to the lake, but most people ride a shuttle bus (for which you also need a reservation)
- in fact, budget for a series of fees — hiking is not cheap in Canadian National Parks. (National Parks vehicle park pass, hiker wilderness pass, O'Hara bus ticket, O'Hara campsite fee, O'Hara campsite reservation fee)
- trails sometimes closed due to bear
- this is prime grizzly bear territory (though you are still at far greater risk of injury driving to the trailhead than from bear attack)
- the weather is highly variable. It can snow any day of the year. Or it can be 30°C (86°F).
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ROUTES
We do the same itinerary every year. Book the campground for 3 nights (the maximum allowed) and do day hikes and scrambles from our tent base camp.
There are terrific options for all levels of fitness and experience on 80km+ trails.
Some of our favourite challenging O'Hara adventures:
Some difficult high routes are open only a few weeks each year due to snow.
Alternative accommodation in the area is available at Elizabeth Parker and Abbot huts. Book those through the ACC (Alpine Club of Canada) <email>.
Or splurge and stay at the superb Lake O'Hara Lodge  . Rates start at about C$500 / night for a double.
LOGISTICS
- the closest major airport is Calgary, Alberta (YYC)
- rent gear if needed at MEC in Calgary
- regular bus service can drop you at the Lake O’Hara parking lot & trailhead on the Trans-Canada Highway, 15 km east of Field, British Columbia, and 11 km west of Lake Louise, Alberta.
- bus or hike 11km (6.8mi) up the dusty access road to the lake (no cycling allowed)
- bus operates from June 17 - October 5, 2006 (dates vary year to year).
- leashed pets allowed on the trails, but not on the bus
- food and drinks available at Le Relais Day Shelter
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The biggest hassle with this hike is getting a reservation for the campground. You can book up to 3 calendar months in advance of your visit, by telephone only.
Lake O'Hara Reservations:
(250) 343-6433 Mountain Standard Time
8AM Mon - Fri
For example, if you want to camp starting July 6th, phone April 6th.
It can take hours to get through, hitting the redial button. If you are one of the lucky ones, have your credit card ready. You can book maximum 2 tents for 6 people for 3 days.
If you do not have a reservation, you can try for one of the "24-Hour Bookings for Lake O'Hara". Same deal — you must call the hotline (250) 343-6433 at exactly 8AM the day before you want to go to O'Hara. The few spots are gone within 10 minutes.
Last desperate option. Get to the parking lot early hoping for an empty bus seat due to cancellation. Pay cash. Day hike O'Hara returning to the parking lot by bus or walking out.
Does this sound like too much hassle? Hike Assiniboine instead.
We like the quota on O'Hara — but the reservation system is ridiculous.
INDEPENDENT OR GUIDED?
Almost everyone hikes O'Hara independently. You can easily retreat in case of bad weather, illness or injury.
LOCAL INFORMATION
BEST TREKKING GUIDEBOOKS
There are many good hiking guidebooks. But we love Graeme Pole's innovative binders where we can remove just the relevant pages for our hike, carrying them in a protective plastic slipcover. Brilliant! Be sure to get the most recent edition.
The Copeland guide is excellent too, rating hikes from 1-4 "stars".
BEST TRAVEL GUIDEBOOKS
- Lonely Planet Banff, Jasper and Glacier National Parks - Miller, Derby, Lukas, 2004
- Moon Handbooks Canadian Rockies - Andrew Hempstead, 2005
- Moon Handbooks Alberta: Banff, Jasper, Northwest Territories - Andrew Hempstead, 2004
- Lonely Planet British Columbia - Andrew Hempstead, 2004
- Moon Handbooks British Colombia - Andrew Hempstead, 2005
- Frommer's Banff & Jasper National Parks - Christie Pashby, 2004
- ... add a recommendation here
OTHER RECOMMENDED BOOKS
Gadd is our bible in the Rockies: flowers, plants, animals, birds, fish, geology, history and much more.
BEST MAPS
The free Parks Canada Lake O'Hara Trails Map is fairly good. You will likely get one with your receipt when you pay for camping. (on-line  version )
More maps:
BEST WEB PAGES
After this page, the best links are
BEST PHOTOS & TRIP REPORTS
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