Hikes/Canada/Alberta/Banff National Park

Heather Ridge

Difficulty
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Hard
Duration
This reflects the estimated time the majority of users will take on this trail. If you are slower, add time to the top-end figure. If you are fast, then you may complete this route faster than this time range.
7-10h
Distance
This reflects the return distance of this route as measured by the GPS file.
22.7 km
Elevation
This reflects the total elevation gained throughout this route as measured by the GPS file. This includes all ascents and descents, and is higher than what is quoted in most route guides, which simply measure the distance between the starting-point and high-point of the route.
1,102 m
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The Heather Ridge Hike in Lake Louise is a great way to get a taste of the stunning Skoki area. Many hikers take a backpacking trip into Skoki Valley to capture all the area has to offer. Hiking Heather Ridge will give you an excellent mixture of what lies on the other side of the Bow Valley from Lake Louise. This hike is excellent for wildflowers and great in larch season.

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Route Description for Heather Ridge

The Heather Ridge Hike in the Skoki area of Lake Louise is an excellent day hike that travels through plenty of different scenery, ending with incredible vistas of the less crowded area. Most people travelling through this area are backpackers, which makes this an excellent day hike. You won’t see parades of people hiking here as you would on the other side of the valley at Lake Louise.

Start at Fish Creek parking lot, and follow the dirt road until you pass the Lake Louise Ski Resort. Cross a ski run to a trail sign at the edge of the treeline. There are signs for Skoki Lodge, as well as official Parks Canada signs. Take the Skoki Trail through Boulder Pass to Ptarmigan Lake.

From the edge of Ptarmigan Lake, take the trail to the right. Most hikers will be travelling on the left side of the lake to other destinations in the area. Follow the lakeshore until a trail forks off to the right beyond Mount Redoubt. Take this and gain the ridge to the top. This will take you to the end of Heather Ridge.

Enjoy expansive views before returning the way you came.

Want to find more amazing Lake Louise hikes? Check out the Plain of the 6 Glaciers, Sentinel Pass, Morraine Lake or the Skoki Lakes hike.

Getting to the Heather Ridge Trailhead

From the Trans-Canada Highway, take the exit for Lake Louise. Head in the opposite direction of the village towards the Lake Louise Ski Resort. Pass the entrance to the Bow Valley Parkway and keep driving until you see signs for Fish Creek Road and Skoki Lodge. Turn right onto Fish Creek Road and follow this until you come to a parking lot. This is where the trail starts.

Route Information

  • When to do

    June-October

  • Backcountry Campsites

    Hidden Lake Sk5, Baker Lake Sk11 Parks Canada

  • Pets allowed

    Yes - On Leash

  • Family friendly

    No

  • Route Signage

    Poor

  • Crowd Levels

    Low

  • Route Type

    Out and back

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