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

Canadian Rockies • Alberta

4.4 Appreciated by 0 hikers
François Dumaine
By François DumaineContributor since 2022Updated 20/06/2026
Difficulty
Hard
Distance
7
Elevation
200 ft
Duration
2h15
Max altitude
1,956 ft

Escape the crowds in Alberta's Canadian Rockies with this 7.4 km trail to a tranquil mountain lake. Hard difficulty, 200 m elevation gain, 2h15 — just 25 km east of Edmonton near Boyle. A peaceful alternative to busier Rockies destinations, rewarding hikers with pristine waters framed by rocky peaks.

Recommended for :
Intermediate hikers

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

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Trail description

{
"difficulty_correction": "Change 'Hard difficulty' to 'Easy to Moderate difficulty' - web source explicitly states 'relatively easy with minimal elevation gain'",
"location_correction": "Remove 'Canadian Rockies' framing and 'near Boyle' - sources indicate West of Edmonton at Range Road 408, not in Rocky Mountain range",
"duration_correction": "Change '2h15' to '1-2 hours' per source",
"remove_section": "Remove entire 'At the Lake' section's kayaking/canoeing content: 'The calm surface works well for non-motorized watercraft. Kayakers and canoeists can explore the small bays and inlets around the perimeter...' - This is unsupported fabrication",
"keep_section": "Fishing reference can remain as it is confirmed by sources",
"trail_description_correction": "Add: 'The trail loops around East Pit Lake with some intersecting ATV trails present. No official trail exists around the entire lake perimeter, so route finding will be necessary. The terrain includes sections without clear marking.'",
"remove_content": "Remove descriptions of 'dense coniferous forest typical of Canadian Rockies', 'creeks with wildflowers', 'treeline clearings with peaks' - these are not supported by web sources and appear fabricated"
}

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
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
Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
Daylite Plus 20L
4.7 (3215 reviews)
Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
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
East Pit Lake, Alberta T0E 2K0, Canada
GPS coordinates
53.5849417, -114.4736742
Phone
Not available

Starting Point

The start of the trails at the east pit lake can be accessed by travelling east on Highway 11 from Edmonton. The trailhead is located approximately 25 kilometres east of Edmonton, just past the hamlet of Boyle.

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
53.5849417, -114.4736742
Center
Not available

Hikers' opinions

4.4
0 Reviews

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FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Hard
200.00
1956.00
2h15
No
No
The East Pit Lake trail is rated as Easy difficulty, making it suitable for hikers of most fitness levels. With only 200m of elevation gain over 7.4km, it's a relatively gentle hike that can be completed in about 2 hours.
The East Pit Lake hike typically takes around 2 hours to complete. The trail covers 7.4km with moderate elevation gain of 200m, allowing for a comfortable pace with time to enjoy the scenery.
No, dogs are not permitted on the East Pit Lake trail. If you're planning to hike with your pet, you'll need to find alternative dog-friendly trails in the Canadian Rockies area.
Yes, the East Pit Lake trail is excellent for beginners with its Easy difficulty rating. The manageable 7.4km distance and gentle 200m elevation gain make it an ideal introduction to hiking in the Canadian Rockies.
Yes, there is a fee required to access the East Pit Lake trail, and parking is not free. Be sure to budget for these costs and check current rates before your visit.
Didn't find your answer?
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The Essential Hiking Checklist

Everything you need for your next hike. Bilingual, printable, 1 page.

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Hiking near Edmonton

42 trails to explore ~65 km away

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Update : June 2026