Takakkaw Lake Route (7.9 km, Challenging) – Yoho National Park

Overview

About Takakkaw Lake Route

Why go

Climbs toward the lake at Takakkaw Falls’ headwaters
Open alpine terrain above the forested valley

Heads up

Sustained steep climbing and a demanding descent
No official route description or trail-condition information

Map & elevation

The route

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Full map

Elevation1,508–2,158 m

TrailheadTakakkaw Falls parking lot51.49752, -116.48407

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Plan your hike

Before you go

Parking

Start at Takakkaw Falls parking lot. It fills early during busy summer periods and on weekends. Yoho Valley Road has steep switchbacks: vehicles over 7 m must reverse them, and trailers are prohibited. Vehicle access is seasonal, typically mid-June to mid-October.

Best time to go

Vehicle access on Yoho Valley Road is seasonal, typically from mid-June to mid-October, and the Falls lot fills early on busy summer days. Vehicles longer than 7 m must reverse the switchbacks; trailers are not permitted on the road.

Safety

The steep upper route is poorly documented. A published account warns the mapped descent can be difficult, while the exact tread and maintenance remain unconfirmed. Attempt it only if you are comfortable with sustained steep, rough terrain; check access and conditions before setting out.

5 active Yoho alerts

ClosureYoho Valley Road closed for avalanche seasonYoho Valley Road is closed to vehicles from mid-October to mid-June because of avalanche risk. - Parks Canada’s current trail report lists no vehicle access to trails in the Yoho Valley.Official details
CautionWatercraft and angling prohibited in YohoWatercraft use and angling are prohibited on all waterbodies in Yoho National Park until March 31, 2027, to reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species, including whirling disease.Official details

See all 5 alerts

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Yoho Tour Guide

Your drive to Takakkaw Lake Route, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Yoho National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

See the Yoho audio tour

Recorded for this area

Takakkaw Falls: A Short Walk to the Spray

0:00 / 0:27

“Takakkaw Falls is coming up at the end of Yoho Valley Road, and you don't need a long hike to get close to this one. Follow the short, mostly level paved path toward the falls for the roar and cold spray.”

Plays on the road 0.1 km from the trailhead in the Parkwolf Yoho Tour Guide.

Hiking Takakkaw Lake Route

The upper route to the lakeThis rough out-and-back leaves the Takakkaw Falls parking area and climbs toward the headwaters…

This rough out-and-back leaves the Takakkaw Falls parking area and climbs toward the headwaters lake above the falls. The mapped line measures about 2.37 miles each way from the lot-side access, or roughly 4.9 miles (7.9 km) round trip including the short lot connector. Elevation samples rise from about 1,508 m to 2,158 m, a net climb of roughly 650 m. Allow around 6–8 hours; the distance and time are estimates because Parks Canada does not publish figures for this route.

Steep and lightly documentedThe mapped corridor climbs from forested slopes into open, rocky alpine ground.

The mapped corridor climbs from forested slopes into open, rocky alpine ground. It is a demanding hike for experienced visitors, with no official route description or trail-condition report for the upper line. A published trip account warns that the mapped descent can be difficult; its exact footing and maintenance are not confirmed. The track ends near the lake basin, and this route does not include the separate Takakkaw Peak scramble.

The falls viewpoint is a different walkThe short, mostly level Falls viewpoint path from the same lot is about 0.

The short, mostly level Falls viewpoint path from the same lot is about 0.9 km one way and takes roughly 30 minutes return. It is separate from the Lake Route. Stay on that designated path and do not climb the rocks if you are visiting only the waterfall viewpoint.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Yoho

All Yoho wildlife maps

21 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map

55 sightingsMountain GoatMost seen around 8 AMSighting map

61 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 8 PMSighting map

66 sightingsElkMost seen around 7 PMSighting map

26 sightingsMooseMost seen around 6 AMSighting map

10 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 7 AMSighting map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Yoho. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.

Takakkaw Lake Route