The Must-See Sights Of Arethusa Cirque Hike

What are you looking for in a hike? Are breathtaking panoramic views, steep hikes, challenging peak walks, scree slopes, water features, colorful flowers, and trees, or just a nice moderate hike what you’re looking for? Arethusa Cirque hike has it all.

Arethusa has a variety of hikes rolled into one mountain vista.

The Little Arethusa

Hiking Little Arethusa is a steep 4.8 km hike to the peak with breathtaking panoramic views of the 3 cirques below as well as views of Mt Rae, Highwood Ridge, and Pocaterra from the summit.

OR

Mount Arethusa Loop Ridge Walk

Mount Arethusa Loop Ridge is an 8.5 km loop that is rated difficult because of the scree and difficult scrambling on the ridge. Definitely, one who likes the challenge. Located within the 2nd cirque of the Arethusa loop.

OR

Arethusa Cirque Shortcut Loop

Arethusa Shortcut Route is a shorter version of the big cirque route which is 3.2 km in length. A walk through the valley with a magnificent view of the cirques surrounding the valley.

OR

Arethusa Loop

This Arethusa Loop is the most popular hike. A 4.5 km loop that covers all the cirques and gives you the option to explore beyond the trail. It is rated moderate however there is a lot of scree so proper hiking attire is recommended.

Getting There

We set out to conquer The main Arethusa Loop on a beautiful sunny September day. The skies were starting to fill with a smokey haze from the terrible wildfires burning in the U.S. Thank god we picked this day as the day after the smoke had bellowed in creating a smoke-filled fog over our mountain range turning blue skies to grey and no mountain peaks to adore.

To find this magnificent hike travel HWY #1 to HWY 40 through Kananaskis Country or enter from HWY 541 at Longview from the South.

This hike has no markers or signs so without google maps, it may be tricky. Parking is on the East of HWY 40 to the trailhead alongside a creek.

Our Hike

Once arriving at Arethusa we entered a path into the trees alongside the creek. Right from the get-go, the trail ascends up the well-trafficked path through the forest. The path loses the creek for a bit as the sound of the water fades to a slight trickle sound.

Once you reach a rocky path with a tree root shooting up across the path, the sound of the creek becomes more prominent. This is a great time to venture off the main path in the direction of the creek. There are about three paths that will show off the water features of the creek. Many hikers passed them by and missed some added bonus’s this hike has to offer.

The trail levels out around the 0.8 km mark and will open up to a meadow where picking the right trail is crucial to where you will go.

Which trail to take once at the meadow?

The meadow is where picking the right trail is key to the hike you chose.

If you cross the log it will guide you up a steep path leading to Little Arethusa or clockwise around the cirque loop which I personally don’t recommend.

Doing the Arethusa Cirque hike counter-clockwise to the right is far more doable without the exhaustion due to the steep slope.

Take the path alongside the creek if you are doing the shortcut loop or take the path to the upper right will guide you on the 4.5 km cirque root that we chose.

This path will meander over rocks as well as a switchback over the creek where a waterfall welcomes you out of the trees on your left.

First Cirque

Here the trail starts to ascend over more rocks and scree to the first cirque. It’s easy to lose the trail but just head up the round mountain above. I believe you can continue into the cirque and come around the other side but we chose not to.

Arethusa halfway mark

Some incredible views at the halfway + point. The trail is a rocky one and there are areas where the path is nonexistent but keep on trekking on to find it again.

Second Cirque

Once out of the scree is the second cirque and a point to where the Mount Arethusa ridge hike starts. The path is tricky as long as you stay left of the scree into the trees. If you’re doing the ridge, head toward the mountain to find the ridge pathway.

Third Cirque

If you follow the beaten path it will take you back down but I urge you to walk up into the third cirque. You may find a light path or find your own. A babbling brook comes down from this cirque and is quite tranquil walking alongside it. Some great views from here and you feel like you are in your own little world.

Look up to Little Arethusa and see people looking over the ridge as well as people walking the ridge of Mount Arethusa.

The final descent.

Once you have walked the 3 cirques and taken in the amazing views, you may head back down or if you feel energetic jump to a path leading up to Little Arethusa for a breathtaking panoramic view of the whole cirque.

The descent down is steep and slippery which is why it’s recommended to do this hike counterclockwise. The ascend from the right is much more bearable. Walking through the forest of larches is stunning with the orange, yellow, and green weeping branches that extend out from the black trunks looking almost eery.

Arethusa Cirque hike is one of my favorites and highly recommend this hike best in summer in full bloom from the wildflowers or in fall when the larch trees are turning color before dropping their needles for the winter.

Proper hiking attire is recommended for most of these trails as well as hiking essentials to stay safe and prepared on the trails

Follow me on Instagram @internethousewife for more adventures. See ya there!