#6 day hike – Alpine Circuit, Lake O’Hara, Canada

One of our top 10 day hikes in the world.

Many feel this is the most beautiful of the Canadian Rockies trails.

Yoho National Park in British Columbia near Banff, Alberta.
mid-June through the end of September (start and end dates vary) for example, bus operated for hikers and campers from June 19 to October 4, 2018
11.6 km
perhaps 9 hours
perhaps 900 photos
highest point 2528 m
elevation gain 1012 m

World → N America → Rockies → Canada → Alpine Circuit, Lake O’Hara

Our friends at Travel2Walk posted an excellent independent trip report and video from one of our top 10 hikes in the world.

It’s gotten a LOT more popular since we were there in 2005.

circle the sacred Ausangate massif (6372m, 20,905ft), the highest peak in southern Peru
4 high passes between 4757m – 5165m!
70km (43.5mi) plus sidetrips
almost everyone does Ausangate with a guide, but it’s quite doable independently if you are acclimated
many options to extend this trek
best months are the May-September dry season
Tinqui is ~~5-8 hours~~ now only about 3.5hrs by bus on a new road, about 100km S.E. of Cusco
sidetrip to the “rainbow mountains” of Vinicunca

To learn more, click over to our Ausangate information page.

Last year I tried and failed to complete the Dientes Circuit on Isla Navarino, Chile.

The trail was covered over with snow, and I had no guide to lead the way. I only tented one night. Then turned back.

world’s most southerly major hike?
circumambulate the jagged spires of Cordon de los Dientes
out of Puerto Williams, Chile, on Isla Navarino (pop. 2,262 last time we counted)
recommended 5 days, 4 nights in the past. Most hikers are doing it in 4 days, 3 nights now as the route is better cairned and signed.

This guided group had far worse weather than me. And still made it.

To find out how to do this trip yourself, click over to our Dientes Circuit information page.