Crypt Lake Hike – One of the Best In Canada
The Crypt Lake hike in Waterton Lakes National Park has been called the “Indiana Jones adventure of the Canadian Rockies.” The hike to the lake is by no means the prettiest hike in the Rockies – or even in Waterton Lakes National Park for that matter.
But it is one of the top hikes in Canada as it offers a variety of experiences that you’re not likely to find on any other hike in the country. Cue the ladder, tunnel, and chains. And it starts and ends with a scenic boat ride so it’s hard to beat that.
There are some glorious views along the Crypt Lake hike, along with three stunning waterfalls – and Crypt Lake itself is a beautiful Caribbean blue colour. You’ll want to spend at least an hour lounging by the lake, located on the Canada – United States border, if it’s a sunny day.
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Crypt Lake hike summary
Distance: 17.4 km (0r 10.8 miles) return
Elevation gain: 690 m or 2,263 feet
Time needed: 5 – 7 hours (On the return hike there was a lot of waiting required to let people pass who were still heading up on the cabled section. Factor that into your plans.)
Level of difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: Located at Crypt Landing on the east side of Upper Waterton Lake. The majority of hikers take the boat shuttle to get here.
Dogs: Allowed on a leash but you may have to help them up the ladder.
Map: Gem Trek Waterton Lakes National Park
Permit: You need a National Parks pass to do the Crypt Lake hike. Either purchase at the entrance to the park or online. The best value is the Discovery Pass if you’re planning to spend a lot of time over the course of a year in Canada’s national parks.
Trail conditions: Check trail reports in Waterton before you start the hike.
Don’t forget: Take the 10 hiking essentials.
Bears: Carry a quick to access can of bear spray. I’d recommend keeping it in a bear spray holster so you don’t set it off accidentally. Before you go you might want to read Bear Safety Tips: What You Need to Know.
When can you hike? You can do the Crypt Lake hike as early as early June depending on the year, through to early October, or whenever the shuttle stops running.
How it got its name: Crypt Lake gets its name because it’s tucked away in an alpine bowl, and is surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs forming a “sequestered sanctuary.”
The Crypt Lake hike starts with a boat ride
“No one has ever died on the exposed section“ declares our boat guide on route to the hike. Would you call those reassuring words as you headed out to test your mettle on a trail known for a ladder, tunnel and chains?
The Crypt Lake hike starts off with a scenic 15-minute boat ride. This is when it first strikes you that you won’t be alone on the Crypt Lake trail. For some that will be a positive thing since this is bear country after all. But if you’re looking for the solitary hiking experience, you won’t find it hiking to the lake unless it’s a weekday in September.
There is something you can do to avoid hiking in a pack. Either move very quickly and lose the crowds or take the side trip to Hell Roaring Falls just a few minutes into the hike, something few people do. That way you’ll end up feeling like you have the Crypt Lake trail to yourself, at least for a good part of it.
Crypt Lake hike description
The hike to Crypt Lake is always easy to follow. On the way you’ll pass three waterfalls – Twin Falls, Burnt Rock Falls and the wonderful Crypt Falls as you climb a total of 690 m (2,263 feet). You can also take a spur trail to Hell Roaring Falls near the beginning or end of the hike.
The first part of the Crypt Lake hike isn’t that interesting as you switchback up through the forest. But once the forest thins, you can enjoy some good views of Waterton Lakes. At about the 3.3 km point reach a spur trail that will take you to an overlook over Twin Falls, the first of the three big waterfalls on the hike.
Burnt Rock Falls is next – and you’ll reach it after hiking through a rocky section on the trail. Once past these falls, you continue climbing but it’s visually more interesting as you’re above tree line.
When you finally see 175 metre high Crypt Falls – a horsetail waterfall, it means you’re not too far from the tunnel.
The short hike up the ladder and through the tunnel is fun. Note that the tunnel isn’t adult height, so be prepared to stoop so you don’t bang your head. (You can use your cellphone to light it up if your eyes don’t adjust quickly.)
The cable section is next. There is a drop off on your right as you climb it, but focus on putting one foot in front of the other and you’ll be through it in no time. This is the one place on the Crypt Lake hike that some people who hate exposure have a problem.
Once you’re through the the cable section, you can breathe a big sigh of relief. Or stop crying.
But you do have to return the same way you came if you ever want to eat a hot meal again. It’s super easy and enjoyable hiking from the end of the chains section to Crypt Lake. It will only take you 10 minutes.
The beaches at Crypt Lake
Crypt Lake itself is also a treat. Beaches line part of the lake – and because you likely have some time before you have to head back for the return boat trip, it’s a perfect place to lie out in the sun and relax.
Or take the 30-minute walk around Crypt Lake – the far end of which is on the United States-Canada border and get a very different set of views. On the US side of Crypt Lake there is a permanent snowfield.
The return on the Crypt Lake trail
I really enjoyed the Crypt Lake hike back to Upper Waterton Lake. Part of it was a function of the lighting as it wasn’t as harsh later in the afternoon.
Also the stress of wondering how hard the hike was going to be through the chains was over – and it wasn’t a fraction as bad as I had pictured it to be. And I knew we had lots of time to get the boat, so there was no panicky feeling.
Why you should do the hike to Crypt Lake
The Crypt Lake hike is really about going for the thrill of crossing a narrow scree slope with drop-offs – climbing an eight foot ladder, getting low and wiggling through a 20 metre (60 foot) tunnel and then scaring the living daylights out of yourself as you inch along the narrow rocky trail – with a steel cable handhold on one side and a drop-off on the other.
The Crypt Lake hike packs a lot of excitement and adrenaline hits in only 8.7 km (5.4 miles) one way – and you get those adrenaline hits not once but twice if you want to get back to the boat.
How about some lakeside R&R to finish?
If you get down to Upper Waterton Lake before the boat arrives you can enjoy some lakeside R&R. Many people go for a swim, so consider throwing a small towel and bathing suit in your pack.
More information for the Crypt Lake hike
You must reserve a seat on the boat. We bought our ticket down on the dock the minute the window opened at 8:15 AM for the 9 AM boat ride.
You must reserve your return too. (You can do this the day before too.) We chose the 4 PM return and that gave us one hour at the lake plus 30 minutes to hike around it. We didn’t waste much time coming down. In peak season there is a 5:30 PM boat as well.
Contact the Waterton Inter-Nation Shoreline Cruise Company for the latest schedule. They can be reached at 403- 859-2362.
A few things to take on the hike
On a hot day, take extra water and either a filter or water purification tablets in case you run out.
I’d recommend a seat pad so you have something dry and comfortable to sit on.
Don’t forget some energy bars to keep you going to Crypt Lake.
I highly recommend compeed for blisters. I have found it to be way better for fast healing than anything else I’ve used and worth every penny.
A pair of hiking poles can come in handy on the steep sections of the Crypt Lake hike.
Where to stay in Waterton
Camping
For the summer and fall, the Townsite Campground by Waterton Lake is a good choice if you’re into camping. You can reserve online or call Parks Canada at 1-877-737-3783. Reservations open on January 22, 2025 at 8 AM MT. The campground operates from May 1 – October 13, 2025 but reservations are only needed from May 9 – September 10, 2025.
Hotels
One place I highly recommend is Waterton Glacier Suites. You can do your own cooking and it’s also very conveniently located.
If you’re after a B&B experience Northland Lodge is a very good choice but don’t count on fancy rooms.
If it’s an iconic hotel you’re after in an incredible setting then check out the Prince of Wales Hotel and at the very least have a drink in their lounge with a view down the lake.
Kilmorey Lodge is the newest hotel option in Waterton – and a great lakeside option.
Location map of the Crypt Lake hike
Other hikes in southern Alberta
- Alberta’s Fabulous Table Mountain Hike
- Southfork Lakes Hike and Camp in Southern Alberta
- 10+ Fabulous Hikes in Waterton Lakes National Park
- The Goat Lake Hike in Waterton Lakes National Park
- The Lineham Ridge Hike, Waterton Lakes National Park
- A Hike on the Carthew Alderson Trail in Waterton Lakes
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If it is indeed this busy, would you recommend I try this trail solo? None of my friends are willing to do it with me and I have never hiked alone, but if there are that many people there I would assume it would be safe, and I right? I’m a slower hiker and would take the first boat out, so I would have people ahead of me and definitely people behind me.
@Carolina I think if that is the case you’d have no problem going solo. Ideally do it on a weekend when you know there will be lots of people. Enjoy!
Thanks for sharing this blog. I do appreciate the post you’ve made here.
@Madison Hope you find it helpful.
@Jody You are so right about Waterton being overlooked. The other trails we hiked – on a Labour Day weekend – were practically deserted. The boat trip was great fun and something I bet your daughter would enjoy too.
Great article, love the pictures!
Just wanted to point out that you went for your hike to Crypt Lake on the busiest “hiking weekend” of the season.
It’s always better to hike on weekdays.
Trust me, I have been hiking Waterton Park for 27 years… and still love it!
Even though it was the busiest hiking weekend of the year we managed to get away from the crowds by hiking quickly. The only hold-up was getting across the area with chains on our return as we had to wait for people still heading for Crypt Lake – and some of those people were literally paralyzed with fear. No matter what it’s a first class hike!
Waterton is such an overlooked destination! Canada’s smallest National Park has everything going for it, except crowds. Well, it gets busy in the summer, but nothing like the other resort towns in a National Park. I think I might have to give that boat trip a go this summer now!
Wow. I am almost speechless.
The beaches around Crypt Lake was my favorite.
Maris – Thank you. It’s an exciting though lovely hike and the beach is a bonus if the weather is sunny.
@Ayngelina – Then the gorgeous and very easy Lake Oesa out of Lake O’Hara would be right up your alley or an easy hike to the Lake Agnes Teahouse above Lake Louise.
It is so sad but I have never really seen the Rockies. I would like to do some easy hiking as the views look gorgeous but none of that steep uphill stuff!
Congratulations. Excellent photographs. While the adventure component is indelibly memorable, I also have vivid memories of the waterfalls on the way to the tunnel.
@Barry I know the waterfalls with a 600′ drop were there – and yes they’re beautiful – but honestly I was concentrating on getting safely through the dropoff section.
Absolutely stunning! But I’m still not sure I’d have the guts to do this. I’d probably freeze half way up a mountain and need airlifting out!
@Arian You might freeze …for awhile but then at a certain point you’d probably say to yourself I just have to go forward. And the guide did say that no one has ever died.
I love Crypt Lake, I’ve hiked it 8 times. I like the changing scenery it offers and of course the tunnel and the chains – that part is so much fun. I’ve also learned to be first off the book, hike fast for the first 15 minutes and then you’ll avoid most of the crowds from the boat, making it a much more enjoyable hike.
@Laurel – We did just that after we got off the boat and got ahead of just about everyone too. I think we were the 4th or 5th people at the lake and we were on the second boat.
@Deej I bet you wouldn’t cry though your body language might say fear.
What an awesome pay off…because I would be one of the ones crying with fear on the cabled section!
@Kae Lani We are so lucky to have the diversity and the huge amount of wild space still left in Canada.
You really captured the intensity and beauty of this hike, Leigh. That scenery is almost worth the thrill. Just the thought of those dropoffs and steel cables is enough to make me think twice about this hike. That poor woman – I guess she didn’t know what she was getting into? Kudos for making it through this hike unscathe and while taking awesome pictures.
@Mary Scary for sure but so worth it. I really did feel badly for three women all in a row. I hope someone was there to help them return.
You really captured the intensity and beauty of this hike, Leigh. That scenery is almost worth the thrill. Just the thought of those dropoffs and steel cables is enough to make me think twice about this hike. That poor woman – I guess she didn’t know what she was getting into? Kudos for making it through this hike unscathe and while taking awesome pictures.
I would, Leigh, if only to say I’ve done it. As I read, I was trying to remember if I’d ever done anything that would cause me to cry like that woman did. No, nothing came to mind. I imagine it was the cragginess of the rock and perhaps the drop-offs that unnerved her.
The views are just absolutely breathtaking, though and well worth the trip. Would you do it again?
Your photos are gorgeous! There’s so much great nature in Canada!
Wow! That was exciting and I was only reading about it. Did anyone get a little panicky or start crying? It would be understandable! Although I’ve never done anything quite like this, I think it’s the going back down that’s the scariest.
@Cathy One woman was pretty distraught near the end of the cable section and I’m not sure how she managed getting down. I actually found it way easier on the return – perhaps because I knew what was ahead of me.