Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Canada

Alberta

Alderson Lake from Waterton Townsite via Carthew–Alderson Route

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Canada

Alberta

Alderson Lake from Waterton Townsite via Carthew–Alderson Route

Moderate

hikers

Alderson Lake from Waterton Townsite via Carthew–Alderson Route

04:27

13.7km

610m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 27, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Waterton Lakes National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

38 m

Cameron Falls

Highlight • Waterfall

This beautiful waterfall is easily reached from the Waterton Townsite and is a must see if you're in the area. While the best views are from the base of the falls there is a short side trail you can take to the top of the falls if you'd like to get a different perspective.

Tip by

2.01 km

Carthew–Alderson Route

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Carthew–Alderson Route is a beautiful and well-regarded point‑to‑point trek in Waterton Lakes National Park. It is also part of Section A of the Great Divide Trail, which runs through high-alpine terrain between Cameron Lake and Waterton townsite. Known as one of Waterton’s signature hikes, shorter sections, including the climb to Alderson Lake from Watertown Township, also make for a memorable day hike, offering steady elevation gain and unforgettable scenery in a relatively shorter outing.

Tip by

6.84 km

Alderson Lake

Highlight • Lake

This beautiful lake sits at the foot of Mount Alderson’s dramatic cliffs, with noticeably turquoise water and surrounded by subalpine forest and rugged peaks. There is a backcountry campground and a pit toilet, and the lake feels genuinely remote, even though it sits along one of the park’s classic hiking corridors. It’s a natural place to rest during or after a long day of hiking, and is peaceful, open, and well worth the climb. You can also refill your water bottle here, just make sure to treat it before drinking.

Tip by

13.7 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

13.4 km

262 m

Surfaces

13.4 km

262 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Today

Saturday 29 August

16°C

4°C

48 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 20.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

Want to know more?

This route was planned by komoot.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Edit route

Download GPX

Move start point

Embed on a website

Report an Issue

Report restricted access

Nearby routes

Moderate

Belly River Trail

04:33h

16.7km

200m

Hard

Bowman Lake Trail

05:57h

21.7km

80m

Easy

Kootenai Lake via Waterton Valley Trail

01:15h

4.64km

80m

Hard

North Circle Loop

44:25h

141km

5,450m

Easy

4.8

351

Bear's Hump – Waterton Lakes National Park

00:57h

2.38km

180m

Hard

4.8

Rowe Lakes via Rowe Creek Trail

04:48h

13.8km

630m

Moderate

5.0

Lineham Falls Trail — Waterton Lakes National Park

03:11h

9.79km

420m

Moderate

Alderson Lake from Waterton Townsite via Carthew–Alderson Route

04:27h

13.7km

610m

Hard

5.0

Lineham Ridge Trail & Hawkins Horseshoe Route loop

06:21h

14.4km

1,100m

Moderate

Crandell Lake Trail

02:17h

7.60km

250m

Moderate

North Drywood Falls

02:20h

8.43km

150m

Easy

Waterton Townsite Loop

00:57h

3.55km

40m

Alderson Lake from Waterton Townsite via Carthew–Alderson Route

Cameron Falls

Carthew–Alderson Route

Alderson Lake

Nearby routes

Sign up or log in to keep exploring this route

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️