Lake Minnewanka

Near Anthracite · Banff National Park

Moderate · Out and back · Official trail

Lake Minnewanka. Photo by Khoshhat, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Trail score 87 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

About this trail

Lake Minnewanka is a 3.5 km out and back trail near Anthracite in Banff National Park. It runs 1.7 km each way. The route gains 78 m in total and tops out at 1,507 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate, and Parks Canada rates it moderate. Allow about 1 hour of moving time. It meets Minnewanka Trail at 0.1 km and Minnewanka Tr at 1.6 km, and passes one other mapped junction. Between 0.7 km and 0.7 km a 70 m alternative with the same name runs beside the route. The distance and climb above follow this route only, not its branches. Along the way you pass Lake Minnewanka, Lake Minnewanka Cruise and Lake Minnewanka Red Chairs. Much of the route follows Cascade River. Also used for trail running, mountain biking and horseback riding.

Length: 3.5km; 1.7 km each way
Elevation gain: 78m
Estimated time: 1h; Moving time
Route: Out and back
Highest point: 1,507m
Lowest point: 1,478m

Elevation profile

1,478 m to 1,507 m

Highest point 1,507 m, lowest 1,478 m, 78 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 17% 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

0.0 kmLake Minnewanka TrailheadTrailhead
0.0 kmLake MinnewankaLake
0.1 kmLake Minnewanka CruiseViewpoint
0.2 kmLake Minnewanka Water TapDrinking water
0.3 kmShelter
0.3 kmLake Minnewanka Red ChairsRed chairs
0.4 kmShelter
0.7 kmViewpointsAt 0.7 and 1.0 km
0.7 kmStewart Canyon TrailheadTrailhead
1.5 kmStewart CanyonViewpoint

Good for

Hiking, Trail running, Mountain biking, Horseback riding, Cross country skiing
Dog friendly (on leash), Wheelchair friendly
Lake, Views, River or creek

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 51.2479° N, 115.4988° 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