Hike Alberta
Elk LakeEk13 Elk Summit 2 km N
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Elk Lake

Near Banff · Banff National Park

Moderate · Out and back · Official trail

Trail score 67 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

Elk Lake 2 km Open the map

About this trail

Elk Lake is a 18.2 km out and back trail near Banff in Banff National Park. It runs 9.1 km each way. The route gains 614 m in total and tops out at 2,215 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate, and Parks Canada rates it moderate. Allow about 6 hours 15 minutes of moving time. It meets Elk Summit at 6.5 km, and passes four other mapped junctions. Along the way you pass Elk Lake, a stream crossing, a campground and a backcountry campground. Also used for trail running, horseback riding and backpacking.

Length
18.2km
9.1 km each way
Elevation gain
614m
Estimated time
6h15min
Moving time
Route
Out and back
Highest point
2,215m
Lowest point
1,748m

Elevation profile

1,748 m to 2,215 m
2,2141,748 0 km9.1 km

Highest point 2,215 m, lowest 1,748 m, 614 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 21% 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. 0.6 kmStream crossing
  2. 1.3 kmStream crossing
  3. 3.5 kmStream crossing
  4. 3.5 kmStream crossing
  5. 6.6 kmEk13 Elk SummitCampground
  6. 6.6 kmElk Lake Summit Backcountry CampgroundBackcountry campground
  7. 9.0 kmElk LakeLake

Good for

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

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 51.2315° N, 115.6102° 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

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