Heiko’s Trail officially opens for the 2026 hiking season following extensive work by the Fernie Trails Alliance to clear avalanche debris, fallen trees and lingering snow from the backcountry route.
The Fernie Trails Alliance trail crew has cleared avalanche debris from the designated camping area, while almost all the snow along the trail has melted. As the remaining snow disappears from avalanche paths, hikers may encounter newly exposed branches and are encouraged to move smaller debris from the trail where it is safe to do so.
As of July 28, all blowdowns had been cleared between the Hartley trailhead and Windy Pass. A couple of fallen trees remain between Windy Pass and Tamarack Trail, but they are reported to be easily passable.
The Island Lake Lodge trail crew has also cleared Tamarack Trail, completing the route into Island Lake Lodge. The full trail is now reported to be in good condition.
Originally known as the Mountain Lakes Trail, the route was completed in 2003 by longtime Fernie resident and trail builder Heiko Socher. It was renamed Heiko’s Trail following his passing in 2016.
The classic one-way hike travels approximately 20 kilometres from the Hartley Lake Road area to Island Lake Lodge. The difficult backcountry route takes approximately eight to 11 hours and includes about 1,450 metres of elevation gain.
Along the way, hikers pass Watergate waterfall, Bisaro Cave, Bisaro Canyon, alpine meadows, Three Sisters Pass and Windy Pass before descending Tamarack Trail toward Island Lake Lodge.
The Three Sisters Trail from the Olivia Creek access still contains several large snowfields. A slip or fall on these exposed sections could have grave consequences.
The route is not recommended from Olivia Creek without crampons, an ice axe and mountaineering experience.
The separate Three Sisters summit trail from Three Sisters Pass is snow-free and reported to be in good condition.
Heiko’s Trail is a remote backcountry route with no cellular coverage. Hikers should carry navigation and emergency communication equipment, prepare for rapidly changing mountain weather and make noise near creeks, dense vegetation and blind corners to reduce the chance of surprising wildlife. Bear spray should be carried and readily accessible as a last resort. Access to the Hartley trailhead is by rough forestry roads, and a high-clearance vehicle is recommended.
