Hiking Headwall Lakes - panoramic view  tree outdoor landscape nature mountain sky autumn plant cloud background lake painting forest surrounded distance
--°C
Loading...
See forecast →

Hiking in the Headwall Lakes: trails, map and practical info

Canadian Rockies • Alberta

5.0 Appreciated by 19 hikers
François Dumaine
By François DumaineContributor since 2013Updated 23/06/2026
Difficulty
Moderate
Distance
5 km
Elevation
710 ft
Duration
2h15
Max altitude
2,100 ft

Nestled beneath towering cliff faces in Alberta's Canadian Rockies, this easy 5 km trail leads to pristine alpine tarns with crystal-clear waters reflecting dramatic headwalls. 1h20 of hiking with 600m elevation gain near Kananaskis Country.

Recommended for :
Intermediate hikers

Ready to explore Headwall Lakes? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

Discover the trail

Oh no! We don't have any photos 😢

This trail hasn't been captured yet. Be the first to share your adventure!

Trail description

{
"time_section": "The estimated time of 5 hours 30 minutes reflects a solid pace for the challenging terrain and 600 meters of elevation gain — factor in extra time if you're stopping for photos or taking it easy on the scree sections.",
"difficulty_statement": "This is a genuinely engaging and challenging climb that keeps you working the whole way up.",
"intro_paragraph": "The route covers 14 kilometers return with 600 meters of elevation gain — numbers that add up to a sustained and challenging hike, not a casual stroll."
}

Recommended gear for this trail

LGPO Pick
Elixir Tour Mid WP
Salomon
Elixir Tour Mid WP
4.5 (2847 reviews)
Waterproof mid-height boot ideal for rocky terrain
203.38 $
See price
Best Value
Trail Ergo Cork
Black Diamond
Trail Ergo Cork
4.4 (1456 reviews)
Comfortable cork grip for long ascents
69.99 $
See price
Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
Daylite Plus 20L
4.7 (3215 reviews)
Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
See price
Actik Core 625
Petzl
Actik Core 625
4.6 (1893 reviews)
USB rechargeable with 600 lumens for early starts
103.95 $
See price
Most Popular
Wide Mouth 1L
Nalgene
Wide Mouth 1L
4.8 (12540 reviews)
Unbreakable and BPA-free — a hiking essential
23.11 $
See price
Affiliate links — LGPO may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
Headwall Lakes, Alberta T0L 2C0, Canada
GPS coordinates
50.807441, -115.2452524
Phone
Not available

Starting Point

The headwall lakes are located in the Kananaskis Country of Alberta. To get to the start of the trails, take the Trans-Canada Highway to the exit for Kananaskis Country. Follow the signs to Nakiska Ski Resort. The trailhead is located at the end of the road near the ski resort.

When?

Opening hours
From sunrise to sunset
Varies by season
Best season
Fall
Spectacular colors
Best time
Early morning
Less crowded
Weather (next days)
Loading

How much?

Entry fees
Adult
Not available
Child
What to bring?
Gear
Download the PDF checklist
Water & food
2L minimum
No water point on the trail
Bring energy snacks for a 4h+ hike
Good to know
Park rules
No dogs
Safety
Download the GPX before you go
Limited cellular coverage on the trail
Slippery after rain
Be careful on rocky sections
In an emergency
Emergency
911
Parking GPS
50.807441, -115.2452524
Center
Not available

Hikers' opinions

5.0
0 Reviews

Be the first to review!

No hiker has shared their experience yet. Share your impressions and help other hikers!

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Moderate
710.00 m
2100.00 m
2h15
No
No
The Headwall Lakes trail is approximately 14-17 km round-trip with 600 meters of elevation gain. This makes it a challenging hike with significant uphill sections through the Canadian Rockies terrain.
Most hikers complete the full trip in approximately 5 to 5.5 hours, though this can vary based on fitness level and time spent at the lakes.
No, dogs are not allowed on the Headwall Lakes trail. Plan to hike without your four-legged companions on this trail in Kananaskis Country.
The Headwall Lakes trailhead is located at the southeast corner of the Chester Lake parking lot in Kananaskis Country on the Smith-Dorrien Trail (Highway 742). Follow the blue cross-country skiing marked trail from the parking area.
Access to Kananaskis Country may require fees. Check with Alberta Parks for current parking and access fee information before your visit.
Didn't find your answer?
Free 1 pages

The Essential Hiking Checklist

Everything you need for your next hike. Bilingual, printable, 1 page.

Download the free checklist
Top 10 best hiking in Canadian Rockies
Our ranking based on hiker reviews

Hiking near Canmore

200 trails to explore ~32 km away

View trails
Did you spot an error?

We work hard to provide the most up-to-date and error-free data possible. If something seems incorrect, let us know!

Update : June 2026