Hike Alberta
Skoki LodgeMerlin Meadows Sk18Merlin Meadows Campground 500 m N
Route preview. The interactive map opens here with terrain, contours and live notices.Open the map

Skoki Valley

Near Lake Louise · Banff National Park

Moderate · Out and back · Official trail

Trail score 62 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

Skoki LodgeMerlin Meadows Sk18 500 m Open the map

About this trail

Skoki Valley is a 3.3 km out and back trail near Lake Louise in Banff National Park. It runs 1.6 km each way. The route gains 87 m in total and tops out at 2,154 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate, and Parks Canada rates it moderate. Allow about 1 hour of moving time. It meets Packer Pass Trail at 60 m and Skoki Mountain Route at 1.1 km. Along the way you pass a campground, a backcountry campground, Skoki Lodge and a stream crossing. Also used for trail running and horseback riding.

Length
3.3km
1.6 km each way
Elevation gain
87m
Estimated time
1h
Moving time
Route
Out and back
Highest point
2,154m
Lowest point
2,067m

Elevation profile

2,067 m to 2,154 m
2,1542,067 0 km1.6 km

Highest point 2,154 m, lowest 2,067 m, 87 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 10% 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

  1. 0.0 kmMerlin Meadows Sk18Campground
  2. 0.1 kmMerlin Meadows CampgroundCampground
  3. 0.1 kmMerlin Meadows Campground (SK18)Backcountry campground
  4. 1.1 kmSkoki LodgeHut
  5. 1.1 kmStream crossing
  6. 1.5 kmStream crossing
  7. 1.6 kmStream crossing

Good for

  • Hiking, Trail running, Horseback riding
  • Dog friendly (on leash)
  • Camping, Hut or tea house, Alpine

Trailhead

The trail starts at 51.5311° N, 116.0867° 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