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Hiking Ghost Lake - panoramic view

Hiking in Ghost Lake: trails, map and practical info

Foothills • Alberta

5.0 Appreciated by 12 hikers

Ghost Lake (Foothills, Alberta) : moderate hike, 13 km, 152 m of elevation gain, summit at 1,372 m, about 2h. No dogs.

François Dumaine
By François Dumaine • Contributor since 2013 • Updated 02/10/2026
Ready to go See map
Difficulty
Moderate
Distance
13 km
Elevation
152 m
Duration
2h
Max altitude
1,372 m
Recommended for :
Intermediate hikers

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

Discover the trail

10 community photos

Photos: Keithius — CC BY-NC-SA (Flickr) Famartin — CC BY-SA (Wikimedia Commons) Wikimedia Commons — CC BY (Google Images) sarah and jacob Cosulich — Google Maps (Google Maps)

Trail description

Désolé, nous n'avons pas de description pour cet endroit.

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Recommended gear for this trail

LGPO Pick
Elixir Tour Mid WP
Salomon
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4.5 (2847 reviews)
Waterproof mid-height boot ideal for rocky terrain
203.38 $
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Trail Ergo Cork
Black Diamond
Trail Ergo Cork
4.4 (1456 reviews)
Comfortable cork grip for long ascents
69.99 $
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Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
Daylite Plus 20L
4.7 (3215 reviews)
Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
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Actik Core 625
Petzl
Actik Core 625
4.6 (1893 reviews)
USB rechargeable with 600 lumens for early starts
103.95 $
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Wide Mouth 1L
Nalgene
Wide Mouth 1L
4.8 (12540 reviews)
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Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
Not available
GPS coordinates
Not available
Phone
Not available

Starting Point

The Ghost Lake trails are located in the Kananaskis Country area of Alberta. To get to the start of the trails, take Highway 40 south from Calgary and turn left onto the Smith-Dorrien Trail (Highway 742). The trailhead is located about 18 km down the road.

The easiest way to get to the start of the trails at the Ghost Lake is to drive to the town of Cochrane, which is located about an hour west of Calgary. From Cochrane, drive north on Highway 22 for about 15 minutes until you reach the Ghost Lake Provincial Recreation Area.

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
Not available
Center
Not available

Hikers' opinions

5.0
6 Reviews
MR
Michael R.
Feb 15, 2024
Great moderate hike with well-maintained trails. The 13km distance was perfect for a day trip. Parking fees were reasonable considering the trail quality. Started early to avoid crowds and had a peaceful experience. The gradual 300m elevation gain made it accessible without being too easy.
ST
Sarah T.
Jan 28, 2024
Absolutely stunning winter hike! Brought microspikes which were essential for the icy sections. The lake was completely frozen over creating a magical landscape. No dogs allowed which kept the wildlife undisturbed - saw several deer tracks in the snow. Worth every penny of the access fee.
JK
James K.
Nov 12, 2023
Decent trail but the paid parking and access fees add up quickly for a family outing. The trail itself is well-marked and maintained. Wish dogs were allowed as we had to leave our pup behind. Good workout with the steady incline but nothing too challenging for intermediate hikers.
EC
Emma C.
Sep 3, 2023
Perfect late summer hike with beautiful fall colors starting to appear. The trail surface was in excellent condition after recent maintenance. Appreciated the clear signage throughout. The drive from Cochrane was scenic too. Plan for the full day including drive time from Calgary.
DW
David W.
Jul 20, 2023
Fantastic photography opportunities throughout this trail! Early morning light on the water was spectacular. The Kananaskis Country setting provides incredible mountain backdrops. Trail conditions were perfect in summer. Highly recommend for anyone with a camera - you won't be disappointed.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Ghost Lake is rated moderate.
The elevation gain of Ghost Lake is 152 m.
The summit of Ghost Lake is at 1,372 m.
Allow about 2h for Ghost Lake (13 km).
No, dogs are not allowed on the trails of Ghost Lake.
Ghost Lake is not recommended for young children.
No, Ghost Lake has no visitor centre on site.
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Update : October 2026