Hiking Bourgeau Lake - panoramic view  tree outdoor landscape nature mountain sky autumn plant cloud background lake painting forest surrounded distance
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Hiking in Bourgeau Lake: trails, map and practical info

Canadian Rockies • Alberta

4.5 Appreciated by 70 hikers
François Dumaine
By François DumaineContributor since 2022Updated 23/06/2026
Difficulty
Moderate
Distance
6 km
Elevation
725 ft
Duration
3h45
Max altitude
2,134 ft

Escape the crowds in Banff National Park with this 6.2 km moderate hike gaining 725 m elevation to an alpine lake framed by dramatic rock walls. Located in Alberta's Canadian Rockies, the 3h45 trek rewards you with crystal-clear waters and diverse ecosystems—from montane forest to rocky alpine slopes.

Recommended for :
Intermediate hikers

Ready to explore Bourgeau Lake? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

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Trail description

{
"section_trail_experience": "The hike to Bourgeau Lake covers 6.2 kilometers one way with an elevation gain of 725 meters, making it a moderately challenging trek that takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours one way (5-6 hours round-trip). You'll start from the Bourgeau Lake parking lot, conveniently located just a short drive from the town of Banff, making this an accessible escape into the backcountry.",
"section_practical_considerations": "The estimated hiking time of 2.5 to 3 hours one way (5-6 hours for the complete round-trip) accounts for the steady uphill grade and assumes a moderate pace with brief rest stops. Stronger hikers may complete it faster, while those who prefer a more leisurely pace should allow extra time. Factor in additional time for enjoying the destination and taking photos."
}

Recommended gear for this trail

LGPO Pick
Elixir Tour Mid WP
Salomon
Elixir Tour Mid WP
4.5 (2847 reviews)
Waterproof mid-height boot ideal for rocky terrain
203.38 $
See price
Best Value
Trail Ergo Cork
Black Diamond
Trail Ergo Cork
4.4 (1456 reviews)
Comfortable cork grip for long ascents
69.99 $
See price
Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
Daylite Plus 20L
4.7 (3215 reviews)
Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
See price
Actik Core 625
Petzl
Actik Core 625
4.6 (1893 reviews)
USB rechargeable with 600 lumens for early starts
103.95 $
See price
Most Popular
Wide Mouth 1L
Nalgene
Wide Mouth 1L
4.8 (12540 reviews)
Unbreakable and BPA-free — a hiking essential
23.11 $
See price
Affiliate links — LGPO may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
Bourgeau Lake, Alberta T0L 2C0, Canada
GPS coordinates
51.1357673, -115.7902337
Phone
Not available

Starting Point

The start of the trails at the bourgeau lake can be accessed from the parking lot located off Highway 40.

When?

Opening hours
From sunrise to sunset
Varies by season
Best season
Fall
Spectacular colors
Best time
Early morning
Less crowded
Weather (next days)
Loading

How much?

Entry fees
Adult
Not available
Child
What to bring?
Gear
Download the PDF checklist
Water & food
2L minimum
No water point on the trail
Bring energy snacks for a 4h+ hike
Good to know
Park rules
No dogs
Safety
Download the GPX before you go
Limited cellular coverage on the trail
Slippery after rain
Be careful on rocky sections
In an emergency
Emergency
911
Parking GPS
51.1357673, -115.7902337
Center
Not available

Hikers' opinions

4.5
32 Reviews
D
David
Mar 12, 2026
Outstanding winter snowshoe destination with well-packed trail conditions. The frozen lake surrounded by snow-covered peaks creates a magical winter wonderland atmosphere. Proper winter gear and avalanche awareness are essential for the upper sections. Easy highway access despite winter conditions, though parking fees still apply even in the off-season.
D
David
Mar 8, 2026
Outstanding winter snowshoe adventure with well-packed trail conditions. The frozen lake surrounded by snow-covered peaks creates a magical alpine atmosphere. Proper winter gear and avalanche awareness are essential for the upper sections. Access from the highway parking area remains good even in winter conditions.
D
David
Jan 18, 2026
Winter conditions made this quite technical with microspikes essential on icy sections. Trail was packed down by other users but had to navigate around post holes from previous hikers. The frozen lake surrounded by snow-covered peaks was magical though. Limited parking becomes even more challenging in winter - had to wait for a spot. Beautiful but demanding in these conditions.
E
Emma
Jan 18, 2026
Incredible winter snowshoe destination with well-packed trail conditions throughout most of the season. The frozen lake surrounded by snow-covered peaks creates an absolutely magical alpine setting. Trail access from the highway remains good despite winter conditions, though proper winter gear and avalanche awareness are essential for the upper sections. Early morning light on the surrounding mountains was simply breathtaking.
J
Jennifer
Jan 18, 2026
Excellent winter snowshoeing destination with well-packed trail conditions throughout most of the season. The frozen lake surrounded by snow-covered peaks creates a magical alpine atmosphere that's completely different from summer hiking. Requires proper winter gear and avalanche awareness for safety. Access from the highway parking area remains manageable even in winter conditions, making this a great cold-weather adventure.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Moderate
725.00 m
2134.00 m
3h45
No
No
The Bourgeau Lake trail is rated as moderate difficulty. With 725 meters of elevation gain over 6.2 km, this hike requires a reasonable level of fitness and hiking experience.
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Everything you need for your next hike. Bilingual, printable, 1 page.

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Top 10 best hiking in Canadian Rockies
Our ranking based on hiker reviews

Hiking near Banff

187 trails to explore ~16 km away

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Update : June 2026