Little Arethusa Trail

Little Arethusa is an informal out-and-back summit walk that follows the mapped Arethusa Cirque approach, then branches onto the Little Arethusa route. The mapped corridor is about 7.9 km (4.9 mi) round trip with roughly 580 m of climbing; allow about five hours. This is a strenuous summit add-on, distinct from the easier Arethusa Cirque loop and the separate Mount Arethusa scramble. The route and its public-access status are not documented by the park, so confirm access before setting out.

The path starts in trees, climbs toward the open cirque and bench, then crosses boulders and loose scree on the summit spur. The upper slope is steep, with small braided paths through the loose ground; a brief narrow, exposed ridge step leads to a very small summit. Retrace the mapped approach for the return. Shorter reported outings use different return lines, including an off-trail descent, so their distances do not match this saved route.

This is unsigned and informal, and the maintenance status is undocumented. Faint tread and braided lines can make route-finding difficult in open terrain. Stay on the summit spur and retrace it rather than dropping into a gully or following a creek-side bushwhack. The roadside access is an informal pullout east of Highway 40, about 1 km south of Highwood Pass Day Use; there is no toilet at the pullout, with washrooms at Highwood Meadows.