Vimy Trail

Vimy Trail is the steep branch at the Vimy–Wishbone junction, reached by a long walk from Chief Mountain Highway. The established trail out and back is about 24.2 km (15.1 mi): roughly 6.6 km each way on the Wishbone approach, then 5.5 km each way on the Vimy branch. Expect a difficult, full-day outing; allow about eight hours. That is a conservative planning allowance for this route, since the commonly listed eight-hour Wishbone/Vimy trip includes the longer summit outing and no separate time is published for turning around at the established trail’s end. The Vimy branch climbs about 830 m from the junction. The 26.2 km figure often attached to the longer outing is about 2 km more return and reaches Vimy Peak itself.

The trail starts across Chief Mountain Highway from a small roadside pull-off. The broad approach winds through aspen and birch, crosses streams, and opens onto prairie before entering forest again near the junction. It is mostly gentle underfoot, but the distance accumulates before the steep climb even begins. At the fork, take the left branch for Vimy; the right-hand continuation heads toward Wishbone Landing and is not part of this route. On the approach, Vimy’s pale summit rises above the meadow; keeping some aspen and grass in the foreground gives a sense of its scale.

The Vimy branch gains height through montane and subalpine forest of fir and larch. The canopy closes over some stretches, with occasional openings back toward Waterton. The climb passes Lion’s Head, a prominent rock outcrop, then bends into a drainage with a brook and a small waterfall. Higher up, trees thin and Vimy Peak appears above the basin. The trail becomes less distinct as it reaches open alpine ground, so follow the established tread carefully rather than aiming straight for the summit.

The upper basin opens views toward Vimy Ridge, Sofa Mountain, Crypt Lake and the surrounding peaks. This route ends where the established trail gives way to the peak approach. The final roughly 1 km each way to Vimy Peak is a separate off-trail scramble on steep, loose rock with short cliff bands and route-finding. It is not a routine continuation of the hike; the saved distance stops before it. The commonly quoted 26.2 km return outing includes that longer peak objective.

The mountain was once called Goat Mountain. It was renamed Vimy Peak in 1917, the year Canadian troops captured Vimy Ridge in France during the First World War. The peak’s name marks that event; the trail itself stays in Waterton’s forest, basin and mountain terrain.

Carry enough food, water, warm layers and a first-aid kit for a long, remote hike, and tell someone your plan and return time. The route crosses streams and rises into exposed mountain country where weather can change quickly. Waterton is bear country, so carry bear spray and travel alertly. Dogs may accompany hikers if kept on leash and under control throughout the trail.