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Auriol Trail Hike in Kluane National Park
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Hiking the Auriol Trail in Yukon’s Kluane National Park is a must if you’re in the area. There aren’t many accessible hikes in the park that offer what this one does – superb sub-alpine and alpine scenery within 8 kilometres of the start of the trail.
Better yet, the Auriol Trail hike is an easy one. With the trailhead located only 10 minutes south of Haines Junction, it’s a hike you can knock off in as little as three hours or you could take the whole day and have fun exploring the high alpine.
You might also like: Backpacking in Kluane National Park for 7 Days Off Trail
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Auriol Trail hike summary
Distance: 15 km (9.3 miles) round trip
Elevation gain: 315 m or 1,033 feet
Level of difficulty: Easy
Time needed: 4.5 – 5.5 hours
Dogs: Permitted on a leash. Pick up after them and dispose of waste properly.
Best time to hike: This is a 4-season trail. In winter you can ski, walk, or snowshoe it.
Options: You can add an additional 5 km (3.1 miles) and 430 m (1,411 feet) of elevation gain if you head into the high alpine.
Don’t forget: This is grizzly bear country so be sure to carry an easy to access can of bear spray. I’d recommend carrying it in a bear spray holster so you don’t set it off accidentally.
Permits: You will need a Parks Canada pass to visit Kluane National Park.
Camping: There is one backcountry campsite along the Auriol Trail hike. Overnight backcountry permits and safety registration is required for all overnight activities in Kluane National Park and Reserve between April 1 and November 15.
Bears: Bear resistant food cannisters are mandatory on all overnight trips in Kluane National Park between April 1 and November 15th. You should also have easy to access bear spray with you.
Don’t forget: Let someone know where you are going and carry the 10 hiking essentials.
Getting to the Auriol Trail trailhead
From Haines Junction, drive south on the Haines Road for 5 km towards Haines, Alaska. Look for the sign showing that the Auriol Trail turnoff is 2 km away. Turn right into the pullout where you’ll find a map of the Auriol Trail.
Auriol Trail hike description
The Auriol Trail begins in open grass fields that are ablaze with colour by the end of August. For the first 2 km the trail follows an old wagon road that was first used as a cross-country ski trail.
It climbs gradually through a forest of white spruce, aspen and poplar to reach a junction and the start of the loop section of trail. It is here that the scenery takes a dramatic turn for the better.
Stay left on the loop for an easier ascent. This part of the trail crosses a number of streams, passes through meadows where moose may be spotted and continues up past Arctic flora until it reaches a wilderness campsite on the banks of a river at the 7.3 km mark. The views of the Auriol Range are superb.
Backcountry camping along the Auriol Trail
At the campsite, located just past the 7.3 km post, you’ll find tent pads, a pit toilet and a bear proof pole for hanging your food. There’s plenty of water at Auriol Creek which goes right by the campground. Be sure you’ve brought a water filter or water purification tablets.
Hikers with the time and interest can explore the high alpine off trail via a spur trail from the 8.2 km marker.
Serious mountaineers and scramblers have the option of climbing many peaks, both named and unnamed..
The descent is steeper than the ascent but it’s certainly not difficult. Don’t forget to look back from time to time. There are still excellent views of the mountains.
And take the short spur trail about halfway down so you can get an overview of the mountains and of Haines Junction.
Where is Kluane National Park?
Kluane National Park is located 160 km west of Whitehorse and 238 km north of Haines, Alaska.
Peak times to visit the park are from mid-June until mid-September. Kluane National Park and its next door neighbour, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska, were together declared a UNESCO site in 1979.
They play host to the world’s largest non-polar icefields. Between the two parks, you’ll also find the largest concentration of Dall sheep in the world. Grizzly and black bears as well as moose are some of the other large mammals you might see.
Where to stay nearby
For a great place to stay while you’re visiting the park – that’s off the grid, I recommend Kluane Cabins, located just past Kathleen Lake though it’s only open on a seasonal basis.
Dalton Trail Lodge on the border of Kluane National Park is rated exceptional. A breakfast and dinner buffet is included – and they offer eco-adventure packages.
In Haines Junction check out the Parkside Inn – with a kitchenette.
The Alcan Motor Inn is rated very good and it does have a laundromat.
Location map of the Auriol Trail
For more information visit the Kluane National Park website.
Further reading on things to do in the Yukon
- The Ivvavik National Park Base Camp Experience
- Visit Dawson City – Canada’s Klondike City
- Yukon Day Trip on the White Pass Scenic Railway
- A Hike to Grizzly Lake in the Tombstone Mountains
- A Trip to See the Yukon Northern Lights
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This is SO gorgeous. I was lost in your photos! Is there a way I can get there!?
Incredible photos, Leigh! We were briefly in the Yukon territory on a shore excursion from Skagway, Alaska a few years back but didn’t see much. The Yukon is at the top of my husband’s travel wish list though so I expect I’ll be there some day in the not too distant future!
@Lisa The Yukon is not all grizzly bears so I think you might surprise yourself and really enjoy it. I loved Dawson City and felt shortchanged with a too brief visit.
I’m fascinated by those bear poles. They’re an essential part of camping or even just hiking in Canada, I imagine. Do you take them with you or are they set up by the government/council at intervals? Would be very interesting to hear more about how one deals with bears – or the risk of bears – when hiking in North America.
@Sophie At many backcountry sites there are bear proof boxes instead of poles. On latest backpacking trip into full on grizzly country we had to carry our food in bear proof canisters inside our pack.I always carry bear spray with me and if I have driven as I can’t take them on the plane – I bring bear bangers as well. For all the outdoor adventures I’ve had this summer, I have only seen one small black bear from the car.
I love your pictures (as always) and the fall colors are gorgeous. The picture of the mountain’s reflection in the meadow is gorgeous, and The Cabin looks like a quaint place to stay. This is great inspiration to get out and explore the outdoors more!
@Dana We lucked out with the weather on this hike too. We had our own small cabin, just up the road a bit from the main one. It was private, clean, cozy and a perfect place to call home for a few days.
I, too, would be smiling at the absence of bear scat! Stunning, stunning photos in this one. . .what a beautiful route!!
Another lovely trail from you Leigh, and you so give me itchy feet. I was amazed to see how you have to hang your packs to keep them away from the bears. Wow! In Australia we have to ‘bang’ our shoes and bags for fear of spiders overnighting in them!
@Johanna I have banged shoes in the desert southwest and Mexico to get rid of scorpions and spiders. Keeping one’s food away from one’s tent, in a bear proof container or out of reach, keeps the bears wilder and they don’t then associate humans with food.
I’ve camped in Whitehorse and outside Kluane National Park. Always wanted to go back up there and explore the area further. Your photos are great, looks like you had the perfect weather for the hike!
Another great are to explore is Chilkat State Park outside of Haines AK. Absolutely gorgeous, and when you get tired of camp food great places in town to shop and eat.
@Kelly We totally lucked out in Kluane – not so much in the Tombstones. Thanks for the other recommendation – as I can see myself returning to explore further.