Hike Alberta
Vista LakeArnica LakeTw7 Twin Lakes 1 km N
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Arnica Lake

Near Banff · Banff National Park

Moderate · Out and back · Official trail

Trail score 77 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

Vista LakeArnica Lake 2 km Open the map

About this trail

Arnica Lake is a 15.0 km out and back trail near Banff in Banff National Park. It runs 7.5 km each way. The route gains 1,091 m in total and tops out at 2,265 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate, and Parks Canada rates it moderate. Allow about 7 hours 45 minutes of moving time. It meets Upper Twin Lake Trail at 4.6 km, and passes four other mapped junctions. Along the way you pass Vista Lake and Arnica Lake, a campground and a backcountry campground. Also used for horseback riding and backpacking.

Length
15.0km
7.5 km each way
Elevation gain
1,091m
Estimated time
7h45min
Moving time
Route
Out and back
Highest point
2,265m
Lowest point
1,574m

Elevation profile

1,574 m to 2,265 m
2,2651,575 0 km7.5 km

Highest point 2,265 m, lowest 1,574 m, 1,091 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 32% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 100% of route

0% LTE · 100% 5G

Longest modelled gap
0.0 km
Model
2024 · Natural Resources Canada

Predicted coverage is not guaranteed. It varies by carrier, terrain, weather, device and network load, and it does not guarantee emergency service.

Along the way

  1. 0.0 kmVista Lake TrailheadTrailhead
  2. 0.9 kmVista LakeLake
  3. 4.6 kmArnica LakeLake
  4. 6.6 kmTw7 Twin LakesCampground
  5. 6.6 kmTwin Lakes Backcountry CampgroundBackcountry campground

Good for

  • Hiking, Horseback riding, Backpacking
  • Dog friendly (on leash)
  • Lake, Views, Camping, Alpine

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 51.2412° N, 116.0358° W.

Driving directions

Banff National Park admission

National park admission required

Buy day or annual pass

Pass details

Visitors spending time in a national park need valid daily admission or a Parks Canada Discovery Pass. Admission is separate from camping, reservations, parking and other service fees.

Information checked October 21, 2026.

Official details

Before you go

Carry an offline map and plan for no service in backcountry areas. Trails close for wildlife, fire, weather and construction. Check the official sources:

Nearby trails

All 588 trails in Banff National Park

Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
Parks Canada trail data, Open Government Licence Canada
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30