Arnica Lake Trail Solo Hike: Vista Lake and Arnica Lake in One Day
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Arnica Lake Trail is an underrated hidden gem where you can visit both Vista Lake and Arnica Lake on one hike. It’s located in Banff National Park, and you can easily skip the crowds by going on a weekday. I solo hiked this trail on a Monday in August and only saw 10 people out and back on the whole trail!
Trail Stats
Getting to the Trailhead
The trailhead is at the Vista Lake Day Use parking lot along Highway 93 South, about 8 km south of Castle Junction — under a 30-minute drive from Banff townsite. Parking is quite limited, so the lot can fill up quickly on weekends or during larch season (late September to early October). Make sure you place a valid Banff National Park pass on your dashboard before heading out.
First Lake: Vista Lake
From the parking lot, you’ll easily find the well-beaten trail descending 120 meters down to Vista Lake. It’s a 1.4 km downhill path through dense forest, with occasional glimpses of the surrounding mountains and Vista Lake itself. About halfway down there’s a loose rock area off to the side of the trail — the path itself stays well-beaten — and that’s where I spotted a few pikas. Once you reach the lakeshore, there are a few spots along the water where you can take a break and soak in the view.
Second Lake: Arnica Lake
Walking to the north side of Vista Lake, you’ll find the bridge where the trail turns uphill, gaining about 560 meters of elevation to Arnica Lake. It’s steep and pretty much uphill the whole way. Right around when I started regretting not bringing hiking poles, the views opened up and I could see the Bow Valley behind me — enough to make me forget how tired I was and keep going.
Arnica Lake is surrounded by larch trees, with Storm Mountain as the backdrop. As the name suggests, the meadows around the lake are full of arnica flowers — a bright yellow medicinal flower used for muscle and joint pain, sprains, and bruises. You’ll usually find them blooming from June to August in the Canadian Rockies.
Arnica Lake is a peaceful spot for a picnic and a break. I usually carry bug spray with me, but forgot it this time — the mosquitoes here were quite aggressive!
Trail Difficulty
This trail is officially rated as hard, but it feels more moderate for the Banff area. The most difficult part is the steep ascent up to Arnica Lake — though I actually found the descent back down from Arnica Lake to Vista Lake more challenging without hiking poles. I’d strongly recommend bringing a pair to make the hike easier.
Personal Essentials I Bring on My Solo Hikes
Here is what I bring with me every time I go hiking. Some might not be necessary for everyone, but they are all my personal essentials that make my hiking trips better.
1. Water
I always make sure to bring at least 2 liters of water for a half-day hike. It’s important to stay hydrated the whole time.
2. Bear Spray
Hiking in bear country, I always keep my bear spray within reach. Even for just a short walk, I still carry it with me.
3. Bug Spray
Mosquitoes can be quite aggressive in summer, and I have sensitive skin when it comes to bug bites. I use a DEET-free repellent since it’s more eco-friendly.
4. Extra Warm Layers and Rain Gear
The weather can change a lot in the Canadian Rockies — it can get pretty chilly later in the day, or start raining out of nowhere. I always pack an extra layer, like a thermal base or fleece jacket, plus a rain jacket.
5. Snacks
Snack bars, chocolate, nuts, and beef jerky are my go-tos — easy to eat while hiking, no need to stop.
6. Portable Speaker
I bring my Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth Speaker on each solo hike. Sometimes the trail is completely silent and I enjoy just listening to nature — but solo hiking can also get a little scary in my head sometimes, and having music or a podcast on really helps keep my mind calm
7. Camera
Photography is my newest hobby, and I bring my camera everywhere now. I use the Sony ZV-E10 II — it’s easy to use and lightweight, which makes it easy to capture memorable moments along the trail.
8. Power Bank
I use the AllTrails app to track my hike and follow the route with a downloaded map. It can drain my phone battery fast though, so a power bank is always handy — and keeps me safe.
