Akamina Ridge Scramble

Trailhead: Located on the Cameron Lake road approximately 14.5km from the town of Waterton in Waterton National Park. Park at the Akamina trailhead.

Description: Akamina Provincial Park is in British Columbia however the trailhead is in Alberta within Waterton National Park. The most popular route is the Forum Lake to Wall Lake loop.

The cliff band scramble can be avoided but if you approach Akamina Ridge from Wall Lake however it will be a very long day. From the trailhead walk up an old logging road towards Forum and Wall Lakes until you reach the Forum Lake junction, turn left and continue on another 2.4km to Forum Lake. Note the dense, lush and green undergrowth in this area.

Continue along the lake shore for a short distance and locate the west ridge trail on your right. Follow the trail towards Forum Lake and Wall Lake lookout as it steeply ascends through spectacular alpine meadows. Enjoy the lake views at the lookout before scrambling up 40 meters of short cliff ledges.

Hands and feet will be required and not advised for those who are afraid of heights. Once you’re clear of the ledges the going gets easy, continue on along the ridge above Wall Lake. Outstanding panoramic views will reward you for your effort. Upper Kintla Lake, Kintla Peak and Kinnerly Peak dominate the south horizon located a few kilometers away in the the US.

Follow the West ridge west then descend down to Wall Lake passing towering green cliffs, beautiful lush meadows and an old growth forest that I’m sure are enchanted. The variety of wildflowers that can be found here is simply unbelievable. This is without question one of the finest hikes in the Canadian Rockies. The best detailed description I’ve read regarding this valley is by Graeme Pole in his book, Classic Hikes of The Canadian Rockies.

Area Map PDF

Waterton Hikes PDF

Waterton Resource Guide