Hike Alberta
Ghost LakesLake MinnewankaLm31 500 m N
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Lake Minnewanka Southside

Near Devil's Gap · Banff National Park

Moderate · Out and back · Official trail

Trail score 45 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

Ghost LakesLake Minnewanka 1 km Open the map

About this trail

Lake Minnewanka Southside is a 7.9 km out and back trail near Devil's Gap in Banff National Park. It runs 3.9 km each way. The route gains 165 m in total and tops out at 1,498 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate, and Parks Canada rates it moderate. Allow about 2 hours 30 minutes of moving time. It meets Minnewanka Tr at 0.1 km. At 0.1 km the trail forks. This route keeps right; the left fork is a 0.1 km side branch with the same name. The distance and climb above follow this route only, not its branches. Along the way you pass Ghost Lakes and Lake Minnewanka, a backcountry campground and a campground. Also used for trail running, mountain biking and horseback riding.

Length
7.9km
3.9 km each way
Elevation gain
165m
Estimated time
2h30min
Moving time
Route
Out and back
Highest point
1,498m
Lowest point
1,475m

Elevation profile

1,475 m to 1,498 m
1,4981,475 0 km3.9 km

Highest point 1,498 m, lowest 1,475 m, 165 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 11% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 100% of route

34% LTE · 66% 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 kmGhost LakesLake
  2. 2.5 kmLake MinnewankaLake
  3. 3.8 kmGhost Lakes Backcountry CampgroundBackcountry campground
  4. 3.9 kmLm31Campground

Good for

  • Hiking, Trail running, Mountain biking, Horseback riding
  • Dog friendly (on leash)
  • Lake, Camping

Trailhead

The trail starts at 51.2656° N, 115.2269° 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