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Two people running Boom Lake trail in Banff National Park
Boom Lake Trail in Winter
Hiking

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 200 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 the end of Boom Lake, with a dramatic view of Boom Mountain behind it.

Good To Know

Difficulty
Moderate
Duration
1-3 hrs
When
Year Round

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:
45km
Distance from Lake Louise:
23km

When to go

Operating Dates

MonthOperating Status
JanOpen
FebOpen
MarOpen
AprOpen
MayOpen
JunOpen
JulOpen
AugOpen
SepOpen
OctOpen
NovOpen
DecOpen

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!