Walks From The Townsite
In and around the town, there are various short loops: stroll to Cameron Falls, try the Prince of Wales from the Visitor Centre (2km; 45min) or climb the more demanding Bear's Hump , also from the centre (1.2km; 200m vertical; 40min one-way); the latter is one of the park's most popular short walks, switchbacking up the slopes to a rocky outcrop with great views of the Waterton Valley. More surprisingly good views can be had from the easily reached viewpoint near the Bison Paddock. Another obvious, and very simple, walk from the town is the Waterton Lakeshore Trail (13km one-way; 100m ascent; 4hr), which follows Upper Waterton Lake's west shore across the US border to Goat Haunt; regular lake ferries sail back to the townsite, completing a lovely round trip (ferry details from the marina or call 859-2362 ). Alternatively, catch an early boat and walk back so as not to worry about making a boat connection. The single most popular half-day or day's walk from the townsite, however, is the classic Bertha Lake Trail from Waterton, 5.8km each way with an ascent of 460m (allow 3-4hr for the round trip). It's a short, steep hike beginning on Evergreen Drive to a busy but remarkably unsullied mountain-ringed lake and there's an easy trail that runs right round the lakeshore (adding about another 5km to the trip). If you're not up to this, you can just do the first part of the trail and break off at Lower Bertha Falls (2.9km from the townsite; 150m ascent; 1hr): this deservedly popular section corresponds to the route of the Bertha Falls Self-Guiding Nature Trail pamphlet available from the Visitor Centre. Another excellent, if challenging, walk out of Waterton is the unique Crypt Lake Trail , often touted as one of the best in Canada. The 8.7-kilometre hike (one-way; 675m ascent) involves a boat trip ($9 round trip) across Upper Waterton Lake to the trailhead on the east side of the lake, a (perfectly safe) climb up a ladder, a crawl through a rock tunnel and a section along a rocky ledge with cable for support. The rewards are the crashing waterfalls and the great glacial amphitheatre containing Crypt Lake (1955m); rock walls tower 600m on three sides, casting a chill shadow that preserves small icebergs on the lake's surface throughout the summer. Allow time to catch the last boat back to Waterton (again, ferry details are on tel 859-2362), and note that it's a good idea to make reservations in summer. Campers should be aware that the site here is one of the most heavily used in the park's backcountry.
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