Hike Alberta
Ghost Lakes 500 m N
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Butterhole Route

Near Devil's Gap · Banff National Park

Easy · Out and back

Trail score 40 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

Ghost Lakes 500 m Open the map

About this trail

Butterhole Route is a 4.3 km out and back trail near Devil's Gap in Banff National Park. It runs 2.1 km each way. The route gains 165 m in total and tops out at 1,638 m. Hike Alberta rates it easy. Allow about 1 hour 30 minutes of moving time. Along the way you pass Ghost Lakes and a stream crossing. Much of the route follows Constellation Creek. Also used for walking and trail running.

Length
4.3km
2.1 km each way
Elevation gain
165m
Estimated time
1h30min
Moving time
Route
Out and back
Highest point
1,638m
Lowest point
1,488m

Elevation profile

1,488 m to 1,638 m
1,6381,488 0 km2.1 km

Highest point 1,638 m, lowest 1,488 m, 165 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 47% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 100% of route

26% LTE · 74% 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 kmStream crossing
  2. 0.0 kmStream crossing
  3. 0.0 kmStream crossing
  4. 0.2 kmStream crossing
  5. 0.2 kmGhost LakesLake
  6. 0.6 kmStream crossing
  7. 1.1 kmStream crossing
  8. 1.4 kmStream crossing
  9. 1.4 kmStream crossing
  10. 1.5 kmStream crossing
  11. 1.6 kmStream crossing

Good for

  • Hiking, Walking, Trail running
  • Dog friendly (on leash), Kid friendly
  • Lake, River or creek

Trailhead

The trail starts at 51.2782° N, 115.1857° 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
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30