Crandell Lake Trail

Near Waterton Park · Waterton Lakes National Park

Hard · Out and back

Trail score 70 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

About this trail

Crandell Lake Trail is a 17.5 km out and back trail near Waterton Park in Waterton Lakes National Park. It runs 8.7 km each way. The route gains 635 m in total and tops out at 1,598 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard. Allow about 6 hours of moving time. It meets Bear's Backside at 0.6 km and Mount Crandell West Route at 6.1 km, and passes six other mapped junctions. At 6.2 km the trail forks. This route keeps right; the left fork is a 1.1 km side branch with the same name. The distance and climb above follow this route only, not its branches. Along the way you pass Crandell Lake.

Length: 17.5km; 8.7 km each way
Elevation gain: 635m
Estimated time: 6h; Moving time
Route: Out and back
Highest point: 1,598m
Lowest point: 1,317m

Elevation profile

1,317 m to 1,598 m

Highest point 1,598 m, lowest 1,317 m, 635 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 21% 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

6.9 kmCrandell LakeLake

Good for

Hiking
Dog friendly (on leash)
Lake

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 49.0544° N, 113.9141° W.

Driving directions

Waterton Lakes National Park admission

National park admission required

Buy Discovery Pass

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.

Official details

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

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