Chephren Lake
Banff National Park
Trail score 69 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality
About this trail
Chephren Lake is a 8.2 km out and back trail in Banff National Park. It runs 4.1 km each way. The route gains 225 m in total and tops out at 1,764 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate, and Parks Canada rates it moderate. Allow about 2 hours 45 minutes of moving time. It meets Cirque Lake Trail at 1.7 km, and passes one other mapped junction. Along the way you pass Chephren Lake and a stream crossing. Also used for trail running and horseback riding.
- Length
- 8.2km
- 4.1 km each way
- Elevation gain
- 225m
- Estimated time
- 2h45min
- Moving time
- Route
- Out and back
- Highest point
- 1,764m
- Lowest point
- 1,662m
Elevation profile
1,662 m to 1,764 mHighest point 1,764 m, lowest 1,662 m, 225 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 24% over 100 m.
Predicted coverage: 0% of route
0% LTE · 0% 5G
- Longest modelled gap
- 4.1 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
- 0.0 kmStream crossing
- 0.0 kmWaterfowl Lakes TrailheadTrailhead
- 0.3 kmWaterfowl Lakes Campground Drinking WaterDrinking water
- 0.4 kmStream crossing
- 4.0 kmChephren LakeLake
Good for
- Hiking, Trail running, Horseback riding
- Dog friendly (on leash)
- Lake
Rankings
Trailhead
The trail starts at 51.8406° N, 116.6179° W.
Banff National Park admission
National park admission required
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.
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
- Chephren/Cirque Lakes TrailModerate · 2.5 km · 98 m gain · 0.4 km away
- Cirque LakeModerate · 5.7 km · 201 m gain · 1.3 km away
- Marmota Peak RouteHard · 31.3 km · 2,246 m gain · 3.8 km away
- South Totem and Spreading Peak RouteHard · 4.1 km · 807 m gain · 4.1 km away
- Mount Noyes RouteHard · 8.2 km · 1,285 m gain · 5.2 km away
- Quill Peak RouteHard · 21.5 km · 2,133 m gain · 5.5 km away
All 588 trails in Banff National Park
Parks Canada trail data, Open Government Licence Canada
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30