Cirque Lake

Banff National Park

Moderate · Out and back · Official trail

Trail score 55 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

About this trail

Cirque Lake is a 5.7 km out and back trail in Banff National Park. It runs 2.8 km each way. The route gains 201 m in total and tops out at 1,816 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate, and Parks Canada rates it moderate. Allow about 2 hours of moving time. Along the way you pass Cirque Lake. Also used for trail running and horseback riding.

Length: 5.7km; 2.8 km each way
Elevation gain: 201m
Estimated time: 2h; Moving time
Route: Out and back
Highest point: 1,816m
Lowest point: 1,697m

Elevation profile

1,697 m to 1,816 m

Highest point 1,816 m, lowest 1,697 m, 201 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 21% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 0% of route

0% LTE · 0% 5G

Longest modelled gap: 2.8 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

2.7 kmCirque LakeLake

Good for

Hiking, Trail running, Horseback riding
Dog friendly (on leash)
Lake

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 51.8329° N, 116.6313° 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