LAKE O'HARA

LAKE O’HARA.

Lake O’Hara Hiking

Nestled in a high bowl of lush alpine meadows, Lake O’Hara hiking is the best in the Canadian Rockies. Located 11 kilometres from the nearest public road, the lake is surrounded by dozens of smaller alpine lakes and framed by spectacular peaks permanently mantled in snow. As if that weren’t enough, the entire area is webbed by a network of hiking trails established during the 20th-century by luminaries such as Lawrence Grassi. Trails radiate from the lake in all directions; the longest is just 7.5 kilometres, making Lake O’Hara an especially fine hub for day hiking. What makes this destination all the more special is that a quota system limits the number of visitors. Click here for information on how day trippers can book the Lake O’Hara Bus.

The best source of Lake O’Hara hiking information is the Canadian Rockies Trail Guide by Brian Patton and Bart Robinson, which details all trails in the Lake O’Hara region and has accompanying colour photos and maps. We also recommend Gem Trek’s Lake O’Hara Map.

Lake O’Hara Shoreline Trail

Length: 2.8 kilometres/1.7 miles (40 minutes) one-way
Elevation gain: minimal
Rating: easy
Trailhead: warden’s cabin, across from Le Relais Day Shelter

Most people use sections of this easy loop around Lake O’Hara to access the trails, but it is an enjoyable walk in its own right, especially in the evening. Across from Le Relais Day Shelter, behind the warden’s cabin, interpretive boards lay out the various options throughout the valley and explain local history. Heading in a clockwise direction from this point, the trail crosses Cataract Creek, the lake’s outlet then passes along the north shoreline, crossing gullies, and then reaching Seven Veil Falls at the 1.2-kilometre (0.7-mile) mark. Traversing the cool, damp, southern shoreline, the trail passes branches to the Opabin Plateau and a short detour to Mary Lake. Lake O’Hara Lodge is passed at the 2.4-kilometre (1.5-mile) mark, from where it’s a short stroll back along the road to Le Relais Day Shelter.

Lake Oesa Trail

Length: 3 kilometres/1.9 miles (1 hour) one-way
Elevation gain: 240 metres/790 feet
Rating: easy/moderate
Trailhead: Shoreline Trail, 800 metres (0.5 mile) beyond Cataract Creek


With the Continental Divide peaks of Mount Victoria (3,464 metres/11,365 feet) and Mount Lefroy (3,423 metres/11,230 feet) as a backdrop, this small aqua-coloured lake surrounded by talus slopes is one of the area’s gems. All the elevation gain is made in the first 2.4 kilometres (1.6 miles), as the trail switchbacks to a ledge overlooking Lake O’Hara. The trail then levels out, passing three small bodies of water before climbing over a low rise and entering the cirque in which Lake Oesa lies.

Lake Oesa

Lake Oesa

Opabin Plateau Circuit

Length: 5.9 kilometres/3.7 miles (2 hours) round-trip
Elevation gain: 250 metres/820 feet
Rating: easy/moderate
Trailhead: Shoreline Trail

Separated from Lake Oesa by 2,848-metre (9,344-foot) Mount Yukness, this plateau high above the tree line dotted with small lakes is one of the most picturesque destinations in the Canadian Rockies. The time quoted is an absolute minimum because it’s easy to spend an entire day exploring the alpine plateau and scrambling around the surrounding slopes. Two trails lead up to the plateau, which itself is laced with trails. The most direct route is the Opabin Plateau West Circuit, which branches right from the Shoreline Trail 300 metres (0.2 mile) beyond Lake O’Hara Lodge. It then passes Mary Lake, climbs steeply, and reaches the plateau in a little less than two kilometres (1.2 miles). Opabin Prospect is an excellent lookout along the edge of the plateau. From this point, take the right fork to continue to the head of the cirque and Opabin Lake. This section of trail passes through a lightly forested area of larch that comes alive with colour the second week of September. From Opabin Lake, the East Circuit traverses the lower slopes of Yukness Mountain, passing Hungabee Lake, then descending steeply to Lake O’Hara and ending back along the Shoreline Trail 600 metres (0.4 mile) east of Lake O’Hara Lodge.

Opabin Plateau

Opabin Plateau

Lake McArthur Trail

Lake McArthur

Lake McArthur

Length: 3.5 kilometres/2.2 miles (80 minutes) one-way
Elevation gain: 300 metres (980 feet)
Rating: easy/moderate
Trailhead: Le Relais Day Shelter

A personal favourite, this trail leads to the largest and (in my opinion) most stunning body of water in the Lake O’Hara area. Beginning from behind Le Relais Day Shelter, the trail passes through an open meadow and the Elizabeth Parker Hut; stay left to reach Schaffer Lake after 1.6 kilometres (one mile). At a junction beyond that lake, the left fork leads to Lake McArthur and the right fork to McArthur Pass. The lake option climbs steeply for 800 metres (0.5 mile), then levels out and traverses a narrow ledge before entering the Lake McArthur Cirque. (Stay high, even if trails descending into the McArthur Valley look like they offer an easier approach.) After leveling off, the trail enters the alpine and quickly reaches its maximum elevation and the first views of Lake McArthur. Backed by Mount Biddle and the Biddle Glacier, the deep-blue lake and colourful alpine meadows are an unforgettable panorama.

Odaray Highline Trail

Length: 2.6 kilometres/1.6 miles (1 hour) one-way
Elevation gain: 280 metres/920 feet
Rating: easy/moderate
Trailhead: Le Relais Day Shelter

For a panoramic overview of the Lake O’Hara area with minimum energy output, it’s hard to beat this trail, which ends atop the Odaray Plateau west of the lake. This trail passes through an important wildlife corridor, and a voluntary program to limit use—and therefore human interference—is in place. Check with park staff for the latest access restrictions. From Le Relais Day Shelter, follow the Lake McArthur Trail to Sch<#143>ffer Lake as detailed previously, then take the right fork, which climbs gently toward McArthur Pass. Just before the pass, take the right fork. From this point, it’s a steep one kilometre (0.6 mile) up to the lofty perch below Odaray Mountain.

Cathedral Basin Trail

Cathedral Basin

Cathedral Basin.

Length: 7.5 kilometres/4.7 miles (2.5 hours) one-way
Elevation gain: 300 metres/980 feet
Rating: moderate
Trailhead: Lake O’Hara Campground

The trail out to Cathedral Basin is the longest in the Lake O’Hara area, yet it’s still an easy day trip for most people. Reach the trailhead from Le Relais Day Shelter by walking the short distance back down the access road or by following Cataract Creek downstream from behind the warden’s cabin. From the campground the trail heads northwest, crossing Morning Glory Creek at the 2.4-kilometre (1.5-mile) mark, then passing Linda Lake. The final ascent to Cathedral Basin makes a wide loop through an area of ancient rockslides. From this point, the magnificent panorama of the Lake O’Hara area and the backdrop of the Continental Divide are laid out to the southeast.