Hiking Bear’s Hump in Alberta, Canada: Complete Guide

Note to my fellow wanderers: This guide was written from my first-hand experiences. I try my best not to over-glamorize any location I travel to because I want HappyWander’s content to be as authentic as possible. My goal is to provide you real information so that you can have the best possible adventures wandering the world. Enjoy!

I love a good short hike, especially just off a plane or getting my mountain legs warmed up for a season or trip of hiking. Southern Alberta is home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Canada, from majestic mountains to serene lakes and rolling valleys. For those looking to experience a quick but rewarding hike, Bear’s Hump is a hidden gem that combines stunning scenery with an accessible trail. Keep reading to learn about a great short hike in Southern Alberta called Bear’s Hump. Perfect for hikers of all skill levels, this trail offers stunning views, a manageable climb, and a chance to connect with nature without spending an entire day on the trail. Whether you’re a local looking for a quick outdoor escape or a visitor exploring the region, Bear’s Hump is a must-visit.

Watch my full hike up to the top of Bear’s Hump below:

Bear’s Hump Overview

Bear’s Hump is a short but rewarding hike located near Waterton Lakes National Park in Southern Alberta. The trail is roughly 1.5 kilometers round trip and is known for its relatively steep incline, which makes reaching the summit feel like a small victory. Along the way, hikers can enjoy the changing scenery of forested slopes, rocky outcrops, and open meadows, making it a visually engaging experience from start to finish.

The summit of Bear’s Hump offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the Waterton townsite, the pristine Waterton Lakes, and the rolling hills of Southern Alberta. It’s a popular spot for photography, wildlife spotting, and simply taking a moment to enjoy the peacefulness of the outdoors. Despite its short length, the trail provides a satisfying sense of accomplishment and is a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

Accessible year-round, the trail is well-marked and maintained, making it an ideal option for families, casual hikers, or anyone seeking a quick adventure in nature. The combination of breathtaking views, manageable distance, and rich natural surroundings ensures that Bear’s Hump remains a top choice for those looking to experience the beauty of Southern Alberta on foot.

Keep reading to learn the essentials of hiking Bear’s Hump in Alberta, as well as my recommendations to have your best adventure.

This is a map (via alltrails.com) of the route I did.

Where to Park

There’s a parking lot right at the start of the trailhead, located at: Waterton Park, AB T0K 0C3, Canada

Here’s the Google Map:

Distance Traveled

According to my Alltrails.com GPS tracker, I traveled 1.5 miles on this hike. Short and sweet!

How Long Does it Take to Hike?

Not long! In total, it took me about 1 hour to go up and down, which includes spending roughly 10 minutes at the top. It’s a great sunset or sunrise type hike and it’s quick!

Elevation Change

According to Alltrails.com, I hiked 715 feet in elevation, which felt about right. Nothing crazy on this hike, just stairs and a steady incline to the top.

Elevation Map for Bear’s Hump hike (via alltrails.com)

Difficulty

If you exercise regularly, this hike was wasn’t too bad. This was my very first after arriving in Alberta. In fact, I did it after about 6 hours of flights and with some jetlag. It’s a great hike to test out your mountain legs or bring the kids. I’d still recommend that you be in decent shape as there’s over 700 feet of elevation climbing.

Overall, I’d give this hike an 4 / 10 in difficulty.

Permits

To get into any National Park in Canada, the Parks Canada Discovery Pass is required, which grants access to all national parks in Canada. You can buy your pass here. If you’re only going for the day, there are options to purchase a daily pass as well.

Cost

As mentioned above, you’ll need a Parks Canada pass to enter Waterton Lakes National Park. Here is pricing as of October 2025 according to the Parks Canada official website:

Single Day Pricing:

• Adult: $11.00
• Senior: $9.50
• Youth (17 and under): Free
• Family/Group: $22.00. This covers up to seven people arriving in a single vehicle

Annual Pricing:

• Adult: $75.25
• Senior: $64.50
• Family/Group: $151.25. This pass covers everyone in the same vehicle (up to seven people) for 12 months.

When to Go

This hike could be done year-round. However, I went in October with the leaves changing colors and it was an amazing time. If it’s colder with water or snow on the trail, you may want to bring some crampons for better traction in the ice.

Having said that, this is a short hike that can be done any time during the year.

Recommended Gear

Having the right gear can make or break your hiking experience. In Alberta, preparing accordingly will help you maximize your adventure. I’ll highlight the gear that I brought hiking Bear’s Hump in October, as well as additional gear that might benefit you:

• The Proper Clothing: In October, it really depends on the weather. I was fortunate that the weather was awesome. It’s never bad idea to wear long exercise pants with exercise shorts underneath and a short sleeve exercise shirt underneath. I typically roll up a waterproof/windproof jacket and keep it in my pack, but I definitely wore it on this one. I also recommend wearing some thick socks so you don’t get blisters. (If it’s cold, wool are great. if it’s not cold, get something breathable). I also usually bring along a sun hat, which also doubles as a rain hat.
• Hiking backpack with straps: If you don’t have a backpack with straps, I recommend you get one. They aren’t too expensive on Amazon. Your shoulders and back will thank you later.
• Portable charger: If you take a lot of photos / videos like me, you’ll want to bring a portable charger for your phone. I also use the alltrails.com app to navigate so having enough battery is important.
• Water bladder: If you want to save on weight and also help your backpack be more balanced than carrying a big bottle of water in your bag, a water bladder is important. I personally use a 3L water bladder.
• Hiking Shoes: I recommend waterproof hiking shoes. The terrain is not super tennis shoe friendly.
• Crampons: If it’s icy, definitely bring crampons.
• Snacks: Who doesn’t like snacks? While hiking, even on a short hike like this, some organic gummy bears did the trick for me.
• Bug spray: While I didn’t encounter mosquitos on this hike, it’s never a bad idea to be prepared. I can imagine in the summer you’d find some bugs out on the trail.
• First aid kit: It’s a good idea to bring Band-Aids, a bandage, and some cut cleaning items. I have needed band-aids in the past from slipping on rocks, but I did not on this hike.
• Sunscreen: If you go during the day, this hike is very exposed. I went at sunset, so it wasn’t sunny.
• Flashlight: If you go anytime near sunrise or sunset, I’d recommend having a flashlight.

Nice to Have Gear:

Here are a few items that would make your hiking experience even better:

• Shoe impact insoles: These can help as you traverse hard rocks along the way.
• Phone tripod: If you go alone or with a group and want great pictures, a phone tripod is key. I use one on every hike I go on.
• DJI Osmo Action Camera: This is my go-to recording device for every hike I go on. I recorded the entire hike.
• Bear Mace: Uh, just in case! There are bears in the area.
• Hiking Poles: These can help take pressure off your body while you hike.

The Play By Play: My Route Hiking Bear’s Hump in Alberta

So what’s it like hiking Bear’s Hump in Alberta? Read my hiking guide play by play below:

Parking

If you go in the off-season, parking is a breeze. In October around 6:15 PM, there was barely anyone there.

If you do run into a full lot, you can swing over to the Prince of Wales Hotel down the street, it looks like there’s plenty of parking there. There’ also additional parking inside the town of Waterton Park a little further down the street.

Climbing Up Bear’s Hump Trail

The short distance up of only roughly .7 miles makes Bear’s Hump Trail extremely manageable, even with the 700+ feet of elevation. Right at the start of the hike, you’ll see a sign with a bear on it. I recommend you follow the guidelines and always bring bear spray in bear country!

From the first few steps, the path wastes no time gaining elevation—prepare for an immediate uphill climb.

Having said that, nothing on this trail is too steep. Usually, it’s long steps up, like the below image. Also, check that view out from only ~10 minutes up the trail!

As you continue climbing up, it’s a great idea to turn around and look at the view of the Waterton Lake and of the Prince of Wales Hotel getting smaller and smaller down below:

The terrain shifts from packed dirt to exposed rock as you near the top, signaling you’re close.

The Viewpoint at the Top

After a short hike up, approximately .7 miles, you’ll reach the viewpoint you’ve been waiting for. With access to views of the Middle Waterton Lake, Waterton, River, and some nearby mountains like Vimy Peak and Mount Boswell, this viewpoint is an absolutely beautiful one.

 

There is quite a bit of space up at the top, especially if you’re alone like I was. Here’s the famous view down the Waterton River:

There’s also some opportunities for some great photos at the top:

From the top, you’ll have views of the lovely town of Waterton Park:

As you probably know, the views on top of mountains in person are so much better than pictures of video can take. I recommend hiking up Bear’s Hump if you need to fill some time at sunset with a short hike.

Walking Back Down

Bear’s Hump is an out and back type hike, meaning, you walk back the same way you came up. Walking downhill is sometimes harder than uphill because you use a completely different set of movements. Having said that, this hike is easy to go down because of the way they added a bunch of spaced out steps. Oh, and the views are SOLID:

About My Experience Hiking Bear’s Hump

Overall, hiking Bear’s Hump in Alberta was a great experience. I can definitely see why so many locals and tourists love this easy hike.

Favorite Parts

Here are a few of my favorite parts of hiking Bear’s Hump:

Views at the Top

The payoff at the top is great for how short the hike is. You’ll have some great views of Waterton Lakes down below, as well as the Waterton Park town.

Easy Starter Hike

If you are looking for a short, easy hike to get started in Southern Alberta, this is a great one to choose. It’s easy enough to bring the kids too!

Easy Parking

When I went in October, the parking was super easy. There is a decently sized lot at the bottom of the trail with very few cars there.

Least Favorite Parts

Here is my least favorite part of this hike:

You’ll Need a Pass

If you plan on hiking through the National Parks for almost two weeks like I did, buying the annual pass at over $75 CAD is not too bad, but it’s still not free!

Overall Score

I thought this hike was a great starter hike to get by hiking legs adjusted to Alberta.

Overall, I give this trail an 8.5 / 10. I think it’s a wonderful short hike that the whole family can enjoy, with great views at the top.

Hiking Tips for Bear’s Hump After the Fact

Here are some hiking tips for Bear’s Hump that I learned after the fact that can help you have the very best adventure:

• You definitely don’t need hiking shoes for this one, tennis shoes work great (unless the weather is messy)
• you might get chilly at the top, so bring layers just in case.
• I was a little nervous about spotting bears, given the name (Bear’s Hump), but I didn’t see any. It’s good to talk to people who are finishing the hike before you go up.
• Always bring bear spray when in bear country, just in case. A lot of hotels nearby can allow you to borrow a can. Also make sure you know how to use it (YouTube is your friend).

Final Thoughts on Hiking Bear’s Hump in Alberta, Canada

Thanks for getting through my complete guide to hiking Bear’s Hump! This was definitely a fun little hike to get my Canadian Rockies adventure off to a great start. If you’re looking for an easy one with a great payoff, Bear’s Hump in Southern Alberta fits the bill.

Happy wandering to you!