Arnica Ridge - Sat, Oct 3 2026

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Arnica Ridge (10/3/2026)

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED:Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.

You are STRONGLY encouraged to read this page in its entirety before signing up. If you'd like to attend, we ask that you abide by our rules and procedures as a time/cost saving process (with an end result of keeping membership free and lower cost events).

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Banff National Park

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Oct 3 2026 9:00 AM (Carpool Departure: 7:00 AM *log in for location*)

Registration Cut Off:

Fri, Oct 2 2026 4:00:00 PM

Event Duration:

8-10 hrs

Difficulty Rating:

D5: Difficult

Event Coordinator(s):

Marcel B
You must be logged in to get the Event Coordinator contact information.

Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 18 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Maximum No. Guests:

Minimum Group Size:

Maximum No. Guests Per Member:

Number Registered So Far:

11 (Log in to see who's signed up.)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Total Distance: 12km
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 866m

The Arnica Lake Trail is a beautiful hike in Banff National Park, especially in late September when the larches turn brilliant shades of yellow. The 10.2-kilometre return hike initially takes you 100m down to the pretty Vista Lake before climbing about 550m through forest and larch-covered slopes to Arnica Lake, where you’ll find impressive views of Storm Mountain and plenty of room to stop for lunch.

After lunch, we will venture on for about 1km (approx 150m gain) to a small ridge above Arnica Lake and with also good views of Twin Lakes

Required Items to Bring:
Hiking Boots
Microspikes
Warm Layers
Toque/Gloves
Rain/Wind Gear
Lunch
Water 2L (or more in hot weather)
$ or Park Pass
*Bear Spray
Sunscreen/Insect Repellent
Personal First Aid Kit

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Take Highway 1 west from Calgary to Banff and follow it to the Banff/Radium Highway 1/93 junction. Take Highway 93 south towards Radium. Drive 8km to a turnoff on your left at the Vista Lake/Arnica trailhead.(It is the first left after the Boom Lake Trailhead)

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

310Km

Carpool Departure Time:

7:00 AM

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Approximate vehicle expense for this event is $102.30 (calculated at total Km * $0.33, effective Monday, October 5, 2026). This is based on $0.16/Km for maintenance, plus current gas price divide by 9. Alternately your carpool driver may choose to split the maintenance cost plus the actual gas cost among all in the vehicle. Your carpool driver will confirm exactly how much money they require to cover costs. Please split the actual cost among all people in the vehicle.

Notes:

Please note that COC event coordinators are volunteers and are not trained guides. All participants are responsible for assessing the current road, weather, and trail conditions for the trip.

- Details of this event are subject to undergo a change at any point in time, with or without warning.
- Notice any errors or problems in the information on this page? Please notify our Content Editor(s), Wendy W and Lynda H., at content@calgaryoutdoorclub.com.

Cost & Payment:

Voluntary Donations:

Although there is no cost for this event, please note that the club survives on voluntary donations. Please consider making a donation based on the value you feel you receive from the club. See our How You Can Help page for more information.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance: