Tamarack Trail
Waterton Lakes National Park
Trail score 69 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality
About this trail
Tamarack Trail is a 27.8 km out and back trail in Waterton Lakes National Park. It runs 13.9 km each way. The route gains 1,724 m in total and tops out at 2,490 m. Hike Alberta rates it expert. Allow about 15 hours 45 minutes of moving time. It meets Twin Lakes Route at 2.9 km, and passes two other mapped junctions. Along the way you pass Lone Lake, a campground, a backcountry campground and a stream crossing. Expect scrambling and exposure; this is mountain terrain. About 7.2 km is mapped as T4 alpine hiking, starting at 6.7 km. Also used for backpacking and scrambling.
- Length
- 27.8km
- 13.9 km each way
- Elevation gain
- 1,724m
- Estimated time
- 15h45min
- Moving time
- Route
- Out and back
- Highest point
- 2,490m
- Lowest point
- 1,889m
Elevation profile
1,889 m to 2,490 mHighest point 2,490 m, lowest 1,889 m, 1,724 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 41% over 100 m.
Predicted coverage: 31% of route
21% LTE · 11% 5G
- Longest modelled gap
- 9.1 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 kmTwin Lakes CampCampground
- 0.0 kmTwin LakesBackcountry campground
- 2.1 kmLone LakeLake
- 2.2 kmStream crossing
- 6.5 kmLone Lake CabinHut
- 6.7 kmLone Lake CampCampground
- 6.7 kmLone LakeBackcountry campground
Good for
- Hiking, Backpacking, Scrambling
- Dog friendly (on leash)
- Lake, Views, Camping, Hut or tea house, Alpine
Rankings
Trailhead
The trail starts at 49.1347° N, 114.1546° 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
- Cameron Lake to Sage Pass TrailEasy · 2.7 km · 157 m gain · 0.3 km away
- Lost Lake RouteEasy · 2.2 km · 89 m gain · 2.1 km away
- South Kootenay Pass trailEasy · 3.5 km · 195 m gain · 2.2 km away
- Avion Ridge RouteHard · 12.0 km · 703 m gain · 2.5 km away
- Twin Lakes TrailModerate · 6.5 km · 243 m gain · 2.5 km away
- Anderson Peak RouteHard · 4.8 km · 838 m gain · 5.9 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