Carthew to Buchanan Route
Near Waterton Park · Waterton Lakes National Park
Trail score 58 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality
About this trail
Carthew to Buchanan Route is a 6.2 km out and back trail near Waterton Park in Waterton Lakes National Park. It runs 3.1 km each way. The route gains 842 m in total and tops out at 2,622 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard. Allow about 5 hours 15 minutes of moving time. Along the way you pass the summit of Mount Carthew.
- Length
- 6.2km
- 3.1 km each way
- Elevation gain
- 842m
- Estimated time
- 5h15min
- Moving time
- Route
- Out and back
- Highest point
- 2,622m
- Lowest point
- 2,370m
Elevation profile
2,370 m to 2,622 mHighest point 2,622 m, lowest 2,370 m, 842 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 63% over 100 m.
Predicted coverage: 100% of route
0% LTE · 100% 5G
- Longest modelled gap
- 0.0 km
- Model
- 2024 · Natural Resources Canada
Predicted coverage is not guaranteed. It varies by carrier, terrain, weather, device and network load, and it does not guarantee emergency service.
Along the way
- 0.0 kmBuchanan RidgeSummit · 2,409 m
- 1.0 kmBuchanan PeakSummit · 2,565 m
- 1.8 kmBuchanan RidgeSummit · 2,358 m
- 3.0 kmMount CarthewSummit · 2,587 m
Good for
- Hiking
- Dog friendly (on leash)
- Summit, Views, Alpine
Rankings
Trailhead
The trail starts at 49.0403° N, 113.9858° W.
Waterton Lakes National Park admission
National park admission required
Pass details
Visitors spending time in a national park need valid daily admission or a Parks Canada Discovery Pass. Admission is separate from camping, reservations, parking and other service fees.
Information checked October 21, 2026.
Before you go
Carry an offline map and plan for no service in backcountry areas. Trails close for wildlife, fire, weather and construction. Check the official sources:
Nearby trails
- Buchanan Scramble RouteHard · 2.7 km · 448 m gain · 1.1 km away
- Mount Alderson Alt RouteModerate · 1.2 km · 232 m gain · 1.5 km away
- Mount Alderson Scramble RouteHard · 4.6 km · 477 m gain · 2.1 km away
- Mount Carthew RouteHard · 2.9 km · 290 m gain · 2.4 km away
- Rowe Creek TrailModerate · 7.4 km · 340 m gain · 2.7 km away
- Lineham Creek TrailHard · 9.6 km · 573 m gain · 3.1 km away
All 63 trails in Waterton Lakes National Park
Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30