Boom Lake Trail
Boom Lake is arguably one of the most smoothly-graded trails in Banff National Park and makes for a great uphill cruise. The gentle but steady climb covers 175 metres of elevation gain over 5 km and manages to do it without feeling steep. After making your way along the forested trail you’ll pop out at Boom Lake, with a dramatic view of Boom Mountain behind it.
Good To Know
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 1-3 hrs
- When
- June - October
The Experience
- Length 5.1 km one way
- Elevation gain: 175 m
- Hiking time: 3-4 hour round trip
- Trailhead: Boom Lake day use area
Location
- Distance from Banff:
- 40km
- Distance from Lake Louise:
- 23km
When to go
Operating Dates
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Local Tips
Boom Lake is a lower-elevation mountain lake (relatively speaking) so it makes for a great early season hike or trail run.
Take a minute to look around you as you move through the forest – this area is known to have some of the largest subalpine trees in the park.
A long-ago rock slide deposited boulders all around the side of the lake, which make for great lunch spots – or steps into the water, if you’re really brave!