Scarab Lake
Near Banff · Banff National Park
Trail score 64 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality
About this trail
Scarab Lake is a 3.5 km out and back trail near Banff in Banff National Park. It runs 1.7 km each way. The route gains 259 m in total and tops out at 2,275 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate, and Parks Canada rates it moderate. Allow about 1 hour 45 minutes of moving time. It meets The Sphinx Route at 0.6 km, and passes three other mapped junctions. Along the way you pass Scarab Lake and Mummy Lake. Also used for horseback riding.
- Length
- 3.5km
- 1.7 km each way
- Elevation gain
- 259m
- Estimated time
- 1h45min
- Moving time
- Route
- Out and back
- Highest point
- 2,275m
- Lowest point
- 2,139m
Elevation profile
2,139 m to 2,275 mHighest point 2,275 m, lowest 2,139 m, 259 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 31% over 100 m.
Predicted coverage: 56% of route
56% LTE · 0% 5G
- Longest modelled gap
- 0.8 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
- 0.4 kmScarab LakeLake
- 1.7 kmMummy LakeLake
Good for
- Hiking, Horseback riding
- Dog friendly (on leash)
- Lake, Views, Alpine
Trailhead
The trail starts at 51.1036° N, 115.9108° 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
- The Sphinx RouteHard · 3.2 km · 478 m gain · 0.5 km away
- Whistling PassModerate · 5.5 km · 346 m gain · 0.7 km away
- Pharoah Peak RouteExpert · 2.0 km · 454 m gain · 0.8 km away
- Talc Lake TrModerate · 7.1 km · 196 m gain · 1.0 km away
- Egypt Lake TrailModerate · 6.5 km · 390 m gain · 1.0 km away
- Redearth PassHard · 6.5 km · 117 m gain · 1.2 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