The 4.5 km picturesque loop of Arethusa Cirque is one of the hidden gems of Kananaskis Country. If you like being at one with nature then you can go hiking through this loop. This loop traverses through meadows, forests and rocky remnants of age-old glaciers. It can guarantee you an extremely rewarding experience without having to put in too much effort. Whether you are a novice or pro hiker, you can embark on an unforgettable adventure at this easy hike.
Route Details
Get ready to be mesmerized by breath-taking views the moment you set foot on the Arethusa Cirque. You can reach the spot following a scenic 1.5 hour drive from Banff or Calgary. If you are coming via Highway 40, the trailhead should appear on reaching the top of Highwood Pass. You won’t find too many sign boards on the Arethusa Cirque. There aren’t any amenities nearby. You will have to travel 1km to Ptarmigan Cirque for accessing the washroom or garbage bins.
Arethusa Cirque Hike Key Stats
Length: 4.5 km (loop)
Duration: 2-4 hours
Elevation: 278 meters
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead: Arethusa Cirque Trailhead off HWY 40
Arethusa Cirque Meadow
Past travellers have left rave reviews for the spectacular meadow at the union of the trail and the creek where the trees open up. If you are visiting during fall months, then you might feel dumbfounded to see the raw beauty of the larches’ warm golden glow. The trail forks from this point and loops around the cirque. You can either go clockwise or anticlockwise. The former is perfect for those who wish to go uphill and the latter is easier as the path is more of a descent.
Enjoying Sunset From The Little Arethusa Summit
Adventure seekers can head out to the adjacent Little Arethusa for a more challenging hike. You will have to cover an additional 2 km alongside an extra elevation of 350m for enjoying the thrill of getting to the top of a summit. Start at the trail branching west of Arethusa Cirque above the tree-line for reaching Little Arethusa Summit.
Keep your camera ready as you will be welcomed by jaw-dropping views of Storm Mountain, Ptarmigan and Pocaterra Cirques and Mount Arethusa. Canadian Rockies offers an array of stunning hikes. But you won’t get such unobstructed 360-degree panoramas and at such a short timeframe from any other location.
Best Time For Arethusa Cirque Hike
The Highwood Pass road opens after 15th June allowing travellers to hike Arethusa Cirque. You will see a vibrant wildflowers during the summer months. Most hikers consider middle to late September the best time to visit Arethusa Cirque. During this time you will get to enjoy its vibrant larches. However, this time also attracts a lot of tourists.
If you wish to circumvent the crowd and enjoy solitude, then you can plan your visit during weekdays. The trail remains covered by a layer of snow starting from October. Arethusa Cirque access is closed during December. But you might still find some highly adventurous bikers and skiers who visit Arethusa Cirque during this restricted time.
Time taken to hike Arethusa Cirque
New hikers usually need about 3 hours to finish the hike. However, experienced hikers can do it in around 2 hours. Trail conditions, fitness, and route-finding skills can change the time it takes.
Is the Arethusa Cirque hike an easy one?
Hikers find the trail moderate. It has rough paths and some steep climbs. Note that variable weather conditions significantly affect trail difficulty. While you can easily manage Arethusa Cirque in trail shoes without poles during dry conditions, however, would certainly recommend for hiking boots and poles.
Is the hike family and dog friendly?
Arethusa Cirque is great to carry your pets along with you. And, also for families with school-aged children ready to tackle a few challenges like inclines, small creek crossings and rocks.
Check here: Larch Valley & Sentinel Pass- All You Need To Know
