The hike to Lower Bertha Falls looked very different just a few short years ago.
When the Kenow wildfire swept through Waterton Lakes National Park it radically changed the landscape, burning through 19,303 hectares of the park and affecting 80% of the hiking trails. I think I’ve mentioned the fire in every single post related to Waterton on this blog, just because there is hardly a hike you can do in the park without walking through burned and regenerating forest.
The chance to do so is something unique though, and a reminder that destruction isn’t the only legacy of the fire. Even Parks Canada can’t say for certain exactly how the ecology will change as plants regrow. Every year hiking in Waterton will look slightly different, as different plants regain their footing and the canopy slowly regenerates. The fire also revealed more than 70 new archaeological sites, and expanded 170 known archaeological sites within the burn zone.
The hike to Lower Bertha Falls looks particularly different. The walk through what was once dense old-growth forest now reveals stunning views down over upper Waterton Lake and down into Glacier National Park to the south, culminating in a breathtaking viewpoint at Bertha Point – just walking up to this halfway point on its own would have been worth it. The trail then turns up into the valley towards Bertha Lake, following not far from Bertha Creek as it dives down on its journey to Upper Waterton Lake below, before finally tracing all the way up to the endpoint at Lower Bertha Falls themselves.
It’s a beautiful fan-like cascade that reaches down a series of step-like diagonal slabs. Views from the small wooden bridge at the base of the falls are excellent, and if hikers choose they can continue up past glimpses of the much taller Upper Bertha Falls to Bertha Lake or even Bertha Peak.
Continue reading this blog post for everything you need to know to experience the Lower Bertha Falls hike in Waterton for yourself, including distance, elevation gain, how to get there, the best time to visit, and lots of photos of my experience.
Note: The Lower Bertha Falls hike is located in Waterton Lakes National Park, meaning that a valid park pass is required. Day passes can be purchased at the park gates and are per day per person, but if you’re staying a week or longer, it’s more cost-effective to just buy an annual pass instead.
Before visiting Waterton Lakes National Park it’s essential to read up on the Parks Canada rules that must be followed to avoid tickets and/or fines. When hiking it’s important to avoid harmful practices such as disturbing plants or rock-stacking, or removing any natural object from flowers to rocks, as it’s important to leave the environment as natural as possible for the animals and for fellow hikers to enjoy in perpetuity. As many flowers as there are, there are few enough that if we all took one, then there wouldn’t be any left. If you’re after a souvenir to take home with you, there are tons of gift shops in the Waterton townsite to check out. Otherwise take only photos, leave only footprints.
If you haven’t heard of Leave No Trace principles, they’re also really essential to read up on before heading anywhere into the outdoors in general. Following these important principles basically means doing your best to leave beautiful places like Lower Bertha Falls as good (if not better) than you found them, both for their preservation and for the enjoyment of other visitors.
Lower Bertha Falls Round Trip Details
Distance: 5.8 KM / 3.6 MI
Elevation Gain: 209 M / 686 FT
Hiking Time: 2 HRS
Hiking & Safety Tips
- Prepare for the possibility of wildlife encounters. Bear spray is a must whenever travelling in bear country, as well as learning how to use it. Though your chance of an aggressive bear encounter is low, it is always better to be prepared with bear spray. Bear bells are proven to be an ineffective bear deterrent, and are actively discouraged by Parks Canada. The best way to let bears know you’re around is simply to use your voice. Make sure to keep a respectful distance from wildlife and never feed the animals. It may seem kind but it doesn’t just kill wildlife and put people in danger, it’s also illegal.
- Research current trail conditions and make sure you are well-informed about the route before you leave, and assess if it is within your capability. Be aware of what time it gets dark and check the weather forecast. Make sure to tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return. Every year as more and more people try hiking for the first time, the number of rescues goes up. Being prepared is the best defense.
- Pack everything you need for a successful hike, including enough water and energy-rich snacks. Remember to pack out everything you pack in though – don’t expect to find a convenient garbage can halfway up the trail. Bring appropriate layers (remember you’ll warm up once you start hiking) and sun protection. Hiking poles may be helpful but are not required. In addition to not leaving any garbage on the trail yourself, I highly recommend bringing a garbage bag and collecting any trash that you do see on the trail. You’re guaranteed to make the hike to Lower Bertha Falls a more enjoyable experience for the next person.
When to Visit Lower Bertha Falls
Like many waterfalls in the Rockies, the best time of year to visit Lower Bertha Falls is in late Spring. Melting snow and recent rainfall mean that the water level is at its highest, and the waterfalls at their most dramatic. I visited Lower Bertha Falls in late summer when they were somewhat dried up, but still very beautiful.
Because the hike to Lower Berths Falls is mostly through burned forest, expect no shade from the sun if hiking midday. It would be highly preferable to do the Lower Bertha Falls hike either in the morning or afternoon to avoid the hottest part of the day and the most direct sunlight.
How to Get to Lower Bertha Falls Trailhead
The Bertha trailhead parking lot is located off of Evergreen Ave in the Waterton townsite, past Cameron Falls. If you are just driving into the Waterton townsite, keep straight at each possible intersection and you’ll end up passing Cameron Falls on the right, and the Bertha sign a minute or two later.
Waterton Lakes National Park is located just above the US border in the southeastern most corner of the Alberta Rockies, and forms half of an International Peace Park with Glacier National Park directly on the other side of the border. Driving here is three hours from Calgary, or an hour and a half from Lethbridge.
Click here to open the exact trailhead location in Google Maps.
Hiking to Lower Bertha Falls
The Bertha parking lot as seen from the Evergreen Ave.
To prevent the spread of invasive plant species it’s important to wash all mud or plant matter off of clothes and footwear, as well as to use the brushing station at the trailhead.
The Bertha trailhead.
The trail gains elevation as it leads up parallel to Upper Waterton Lake.
Following the trail down and away from the lake. Vimy Peak and Mt Boswell are the two mountains in the unburied section of park on the opposite side of the lake.
Making friends along the trail.
Mt Crandell and its subsidiary Bertha Peak shining in the late afternoon light. Views only improve the higher the path gets.
The lookout at Bertha Point. Easily the most accessible scenic view in the park.
Following signage for Bertha Falls. The trail takes a turn away from the viewpoint and heads up into the valley.
Rounding a corner up into the valley.
The trail descends somewhat towards the creek. Bertha Peak in the distance.
Several smaller waterfalls are short distance from Lower Bertha Falls. The forest near the creek here was fortunately safe from the wildfire.
Lower Bertha Falls visible just past the small wooden bridge.
Recommended Hiking Gear
Water is a must whenever I’m hiking, especially if the sun is going to be out. My favourite water filter I’ve used is the Katadyn BeFree 0.6L, which unlike other water filters I’ve used packs up really small and lightweight. For hikes where I know there won’t be any readily available water sources along the way, I make sure to bring my own. The Hydrapak Stow 1L bottle is my go-to, for the same reason that it’s made of a soft plastic that folds up and doesn’t take up any more extra space than necessary in my pack. Finally, Aquatabs are another great option for purifying water, with one tablet being suitable for one litre of water. I previously used the Grayl water filter while travelling internationally, and though I found its hard body more convenient for day to day use and easier to drink from, it has a little too much bulk for my fast-and-light style of hiking.
The secret to all my photos of gorgeous sunset and sunrise mountaintop views? A lot of hiking in the dark. And let me speak from personal experience when I say that the last thing that you want to happen when hiking is to be caught in the dark without a headlamp. I used the Black Diamond Spot 400 for years and it worked great – until I lost it on top of a mountain somewhere. The only downside to it was having to worry about the batteries dying, though there’s also a slightly more expensive version that has a rechargeable battery. Nowadays I’m using the Petzl Actik Core, which is a bit pricier than the more budget-friendly Black Diamond, but is also brighter, more comfortable (in my opinion), and has a hybrid power system that is rechargeable but can also take AAA batteries if needed.
You won’t see me using trekking poles on shorter hikes often – but on long hikes and backpacking trips, as well as certain scrambles, they are an absolute lifesaver. I’ve invested in a high quality ultra-lightweight pair of MSR DynaLock Ascent carbon poles which, while pricey, I don’t regret one bit. If you’re not entirely sure how much use you’re going to get out of a pair of trekking poles, the best budget-friendly option would be the Trekology Trek Z 2.0. Amazon does sell a lot of cheaper Made in China-style trekking poles for cheaper, but these usually are much much heavier and not worth buying.
All the best and most long-lasting cables and power banks I’ve ever owned have been Anker. I once had a phone cable from them that lasted me over three years of daily use! That’s why I keep an Anker PowerCore Essential 20K power bank on me. Like many people I use my phone for a lot of stuff when hiking (checking in with family, using online maps, taking photos, flying my drone) so I like to be prepared for that low battery warning by having a backup power source on me just in case.
The only socks I ever buy for myself are from Darn Tough, and I almost always make sure to wear them when hiking. After years of having no problems only wearing these comfortable and rugged socks for hikes, I accidentally wore a pair of no-name socks on a hike last year and ended up with blisters on both feet. Safe to say I’m back to sticking with the Darn Tough. And the best part? They have a lifetime guarantee, meaning that if they ever wear out you can send them back for a brand new pair. For hiking footwear I go between a pair of lightweight approach shoes for quick and dirty mountain ascents or anything involving scrambling and more heavy-duty boots for longer treks. I’ve worn a couple different versions of the lightweight but super durable Arc’teryx Konseal FL 2 approach shoes for a few years now and am very impressed with the durability. I also really like the thick toecap that keeps me protected every time I stumble into a root or large rock. For longer, tougher, or muddier treks I rely on my LOWA Camino EVO GTX, which I find insanely comfortable and made of very high quality.
I wear my Ar’teryx Gamma Lightweight Pants on every single hike I go on, and on many days when I’m not hiking. After several years of abuse they are still holding together extraordinarily well, with only a few small holes from where I’ve fallen down and some slight stains from being repeatedly coated with mud. They’re lightweight, breathable, and super comfortable. For lightweight and breathable hiking tops I’m a big fan of both the Patagonia Capilene Shirt and the MEC Core Shirt. My Arc’teryx Squamish Hoody shows up in a lot of my photos. It’s super lightweight and packable, and does a great job of cutting the wind while also being pretty breathable. I also have an Arc’teryx Atom Hoody and Arc’teryx Beta LT that I pull out for cooler or wetter conditions.
I hope you enjoyed this guide to hiking to Lower Bertha Falls in Waterton Lakes National Park! Feel free to leave any questions in the comment section below or to contact me directly via social media.