Lake Minnewanka Trail
Near Anthracite · Banff National Park
Trail score 52 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality
About this trail
Lake Minnewanka Trail is a 15.2 km out and back trail near Anthracite in Banff National Park. It runs 7.6 km each way. The route gains 327 m in total and tops out at 1,558 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate, and Parks Canada rates it moderate. Allow about 4 hours 45 minutes of moving time. It meets Aylmer Pass Trail at 1.4 km and Minnewanka Trail at 1.5 km. Along the way you pass Lake Minnewanka, a campground and a stream crossing. Also used for trail running, mountain biking and horseback riding.
- Length
- 15.2km
- 7.6 km each way
- Elevation gain
- 327m
- Estimated time
- 4h45min
- Moving time
- Route
- Out and back
- Highest point
- 1,558m
- Lowest point
- 1,480m
Elevation profile
1,480 m to 1,558 mHighest point 1,558 m, lowest 1,480 m, 327 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 kmLm9Campground · 1,487 m
- 0.0 kmLake MinnewankaLake
- 0.1 kmStream crossing
Good for
- Hiking, Trail running, Mountain biking, Horseback riding, Backpacking
- Dog friendly (on leash)
- Lake, Camping
Rankings
Trailhead
The trail starts at 51.2794° N, 115.4096° 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
- Aylmer PassHard · 7.6 km · 635 m gain · 1.3 km away
- Aylmer Ridge RouteHard · 5.6 km · 398 m gain · 1.5 km away
- Aylmer LookoutHard · 3.2 km · 193 m gain · 2.6 km away
- Mount Aylmer RouteHard · 5.4 km · 1,058 m gain · 4.0 km away
- Inglismaldie to Girouard RouteHard · 2.8 km · 416 m gain · 4.2 km away
- Mount Astley NE Peak RouteHard · 4.4 km · 683 m gain · 4.8 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