Description

Akamina Ridge is one of the lesser known hikes in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Although this hike is technically in British Columbia's Akamina Provincial Park, the trail starts and ends in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Due to its location, not only do you hike in both Alberta & British Columbia on this trail, you are also hiking along the Canada/ US border.

As you hike along the ridge you will be looking at some of the stunning scenery in Glacier & Waterton Lakes National Parks.

You can hike this trail in either direction, but the trail up to the ridge from Forum Lake is the most technically challenging section and is a moderate scramble in places.

For that reason, it's better to go up this side and complete the trail clockwise.

The trail to Forum lake is relatively easy and this tranquil alpine lake is well worth a visit.

This is a popular spot for day hikers, but you have bigger objectives for the day! So, while the rest of your fellow hikers all turn around, you will start to make your way up the ridge just beyond the lake.

The climb up to the top of the ridge is steep and challenging - there is no shelter after this point for the next 6-7 Kms, which will take a good few hours to complete.

You want to be certain you have favourable weather conditions before heading beyond Forum lake.

Assuming you have good weather, the trail up the spine of the ridge is an easy to moderate scramble, before it starts to plateau as you reach the trail junction with Forum Peak.

The views from here are spectacular and are just a taster of what is to come over the next 4kms as you hike across the ridge.

The hike along the ridge is sure to leave you lost for words.

The 360 Views here are amazing as you look across the 2 National Parks.

With Glaciated Peaks and picturesque lakes, you will be glad you made the effort to get onto the ridge.

The fantastic ridge walk does eventually come to an end and the trail down to Wall Lake is steep in places but is much easier than the hike up.

This is another beautiful alpine lake and the first place to take shelter from the wind since you left Forum Lake.

The trail back to the parking lot travels through an area that was burned back in 2017.

This leaves you exposed to the sun the entire way back, although BC Parks have done a great job at reopening this trail and it's very well maintained.

This is a popular area for bears below the treeline, both grizzly and black bears frequent this area, so keep that in mind as you hike back to the car to finish what is sure to be a memorable day.