Mystic Lake
Near Banff · Banff National Park
Trail score 48 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality
About this trail
Mystic Lake is a 6.4 km out and back trail near Banff in Banff National Park. It runs 3.2 km each way. The route gains 228 m in total and tops out at 2,012 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate, and Parks Canada rates it moderate. Allow about 2 hours 15 minutes of moving time. It passes two mapped trail junctions. Along the way you pass Mystic Lake, a campground and a backcountry campground. Also used for trail running and horseback riding.
- Length
- 6.4km
- 3.2 km each way
- Elevation gain
- 228m
- Estimated time
- 2h15min
- Moving time
- Route
- Out and back
- Highest point
- 2,012m
- Lowest point
- 1,852m
Elevation profile
1,852 m to 2,012 mHighest point 2,012 m, lowest 1,852 m, 228 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 20% over 100 m.
Predicted coverage: 100% of route
100% LTE · 0% 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
- 2.0 kmMystic Valley Camp Ml22Campground
- 2.0 kmMystic Valley Backcountry CampgroundBackcountry campground
- 3.1 kmMystic LakeLake
Good for
- Hiking, Trail running, Horseback riding
- Dog friendly (on leash)
- Lake, Camping
Trailhead
The trail starts at 51.2944° N, 115.7158° 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
- Hiking TrailModerate · 8.2 km · 264 m gain · 0.4 km away
- Equestrian TrailModerate · 7.9 km · 243 m gain · 0.4 km away
- Sira Peak ScrambleHard · 5.9 km · 997 m gain · 2.6 km away
- Johnston CreekHard · 51.0 km · 1,876 m gain · 7.5 km away
- Mystic PassModerate · 24.6 km · 1,096 m gain · 7.5 km away
- Sawback LakeModerate · 3.3 km · 70 m gain · 8.2 km away
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