6 Best Sights in Yoho National Park, British Columbia

This 2.8-km (1.7-mile) trail with minimal ups and downs in elevation takes you close to the shoreline of the vibrant, turquoise-colored Lake O'Hara. You generally follow the shoreline, and at times the trail cuts higher along the mountain and across gullies above the lake. A highlight is the Seven Veils Falls that cascades into the lake. Easy.

This 6.6-km (4.1-mile) well-signed trail starts along Lake O'Hara, then proceeds past a waterfall and another small turquoise lake before reaching Lake Oesa, which is nestled among the scree slopes at the bottom of towering snow-covered mountains. Although the trail is above Lake O'Hara, elevation gain is minimal at 240 meters (787 feet) made via a series of switchbacks that pass through some grassy slopes and meadows surrounded by quartzite cliffs. In places, huge slabs of flat rock provide a stable walking surface. Moderate.

It will take 2--3 hours to hike this 5.9-km (3.7-mile) circuit with an elevation gain of 250 meters (820 feet). You can access it either via the West Opabin or East Opabin arm. The west arm trail takes you up along the shores of Mary Lake and then climbs steeply for approximately 120 meters (394 feet) onto the rolling terrain of the Opabin Plateau, a beautiful hanging valley above Lake O'Hara. From there, the circuit continues into the Opabin Creek Valley and finally arrives at Opabin Lake, where you can see the foot of a glacier in the narrow gap in the peaks at the end of the lake. Moderate. 

Due to severe fires in the early to mid-1900s, several fire lookouts were built in the Rockies, and the Paget Fire Lookout is the oldest in Canada's national parks. This 7-km (4.3-mile) moderately difficult round-trip hike with 520 meters (1,706 feet) of elevation gain, will have you switchbacking through the forest until you almost reach the lookout. Allow plenty of time to take in the amazing views of the Kicking Horse River valley, the Continental Divide, and the surrounding peaks from the strategically placed bench at the lookout which is now a shelter. (Note that Parks Canada also does a guided conservation hike up this trail; find more info at their website). If you're feeling energetic, you can continue on to Paget Peak, but beware that it's steep, with a 446-meter (1,463-foot) elevation gain on the 1.4-km (.8-mile) trail. The trail is also challenging because of several scree-filled and exposed sections, and there can be snow at the summit well into July. If you're a seasoned hiker, however, the views from the top are worth it. Difficult.

This 4.6-km (3-mile) out-and-back trail has minimal elevation, making it a fun one for the whole family. The trail is a wide, heavily trafficked path through the forest, until you eventually reach the Wapta Falls ("wapta" means "river" in the Sioux language of the Stoney people). The falls are especially forceful and impressive in June and early July, when the run-off is still high. Easy. 

This is a 21.3-km (13.2-mile) circuit with 700 meters (2,297 feet) of elevation gain which takes you to Twin Falls backcountry campground. The trail takes you through the Yoho Valley and past Twin Falls and Marpole Lake. There is a seasonal suspension bridge, so check the trail report to ensure it's in operation before you go. Note that reservations for the campground must also be made in advance. Difficult.