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Yoho is the new Banff
Lakes, waterfalls and bald eagles aplenty.
Mike @ Re-Routed
September 05, 2024
While 4 million tourists flock to Banff National Park in Canada every year, Banff’s equally attractive neighbour, the Yoho National Park, attracts less than a quarter of that number.
It’s an easy choice.
Yoho, NB, Canada. Photo by Antonio Sánchez on Unsplash
WHERE IN THE WORLD?
Roughly 200 kilometres (125 miles) west of Calgary, along Highway 1 in the Canadian Rockies. (Google Maps, Apple Maps)
GO IF….
Your local park makes you feel claustrophobic.
DON’T GO IF….
You need trendy hashtags for your Insta posts.
YOHO - WHAT’S THE ATTRACTION?
Emerald Lake
For many, this is the highlight of their trip to Yoho.
Allegedly, discovered by accident in 1882 when a guy called Tom Wilson, a mountain guide, was awed by the lake’s emerald hues while rounding up horses.
And thousands of visitors have been mesmerised by the lake’s magical hues ever since.
It takes around an hour to hike around the lake (with minimal elevation), but what an hour it is. If you’re lucky, bald eagles, moose and ospreys will strut their stuff like those Banff selfie hunters.
The views of the peaks and tall trees reflecting in the pristine waters are breathtaking.
You can take a dip in the cold water or hire a canoe.
Whichever you do, just take it all in. You lucky, lucky person.
Emerald Lake, Yoho. Photo by clement fusil on Unsplash
Takakkaw Falls
Continuing with the water theme, one of Canada’s tallest waterfalls is also Yoho’s most impressive. It is a bit further down from Emerald Lake and Field.
The falls have a total height of 373 metres (1,224 ft) and when the Daly Glacier’s snow melts in spring, tourists flock here for the amazing (and powerful) water spectacle (waterproofs are not optional).
The circular walking trail is not terribly challenging, takes just over 30 minutes to complete, but - as it takes you close to the water - you’re likely to get slightly moist.
Again, pack your waterproofs.
Guided conservation hikes
A perfect way to escape the crowds and be at one with nature.
Conservation hikes allow small groups of visitors to see the Canadian Rockies through the eyes of the people who work on maintaining the park’s ecological health.
Wolverines, grizzly bears and little brown bats are all protected (as are all other plants and animals in the park) and who knows, maybe staring up at those swifts and swallows is the best way to also stare down your soul.
Just bring some sturdy, worn in boots and some toilet paper in a plastic bag. This ain’t a short walk.
HOW TO GET THERE:
The closest airport is Calgary, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Yoho.
Highway 1 runs from Calgary through Banff to Yoho - the visitor center is in Field.
CURIOUS? READ ON:
Yoho National Park official site
Downloadable pdf map of Yoho
Easiest hikes in Canada’s national parks
Seven of the hardest hikes in Canada
Missed last week’s edition? Read all about Bologna here.
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Thanks for reading!
Mike