Berg Lake Trail Hiking Guide
Have you thought about hiking the Berg Lake trail in Mount Robson Provincial Park? The trail wins the popularity award in the Canadian Rockies. It sees more backpackers and day hikers than any other trail in the Rockies. It appeals to people from all over the world, so don’t be surprised to hear some foreign languages spoken.
There is a good reason so many people hike the Berg Lake trail – extraordinary scenery and a fantastic backpacking experience. Imagine gazing at waterfalls galore and looking up to the summit of Mt. Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3,954 metres. Camp – looking out at glaciers and wildflower-filled meadows. If you get a good weather window, this multi-day hike is bliss.
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Berg Lake trail summary
Closures: The Berg Lake trail will open in 2025 and the Kinney Lake campsites reopened already.
Distance: It’s 21 km one way to Berg Lake. Add on 2 km to get to Robson Pass Campground.
Elevation gain: 800 metres (2,625 feet)
Time needed: You need a minimum of two days but preferably four or five days if you want to explore Hargreaves Glacier or Snowbird Pass.
Good to know: The Berg Lake trail is on Pacific time.
Transportation: There is no public transportation to the trail since Greyhound pulled their service.
Best time to hike: Mid-June until late September BUT it can snow at any time.
Closures: The Snowbird Pass trail is closed every year until July 1st because of the caribou calving.
Location: The Berg Lake Trail is located in Mount Robson Provincial Park, a one hour drive west of Jasper. The trailhead is at the Visitor Center 80 km west of Jasper and 320 km northeast of Kamloops.
Backcountry campgrounds: There are seven campgrounds along the Berg Lake trail – in order from closest to furthest – Kinney Lake, Whitehorn, Emperor Falls, Marmot, Berg Lake, Rearguard and Robson Pass. You need to plan ahead where you want to camp.
This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, I will receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. Thank you very much for your support.
Making a reservation for the Berg Lake trail
The Berg Lake trail was badly damaged during the floods of 2021. In 2025, the Berg Lake trail will reopen. There are 18 campsites at the Kinney Lake Campground, 7 km from the trailhead and 22 tent pads at the Whitehorn Campground, 11 km from the trailhead.
Reservations will open on April 2, 2025 at 7 AM PT. Camping reservations for arrivals starting on June 25, 2025 can be made on the BC Parks website.
I don’t know what the latest prices are but the backcountry camping fees have always been reasonable – $10 per person per night. In the past you paid $6 per tent to a maximum of $18. Any permits you get should stay on your person.
Berg Lake Trail – a stand-out multi-day hike
If you’re looking for big, bold Rocky Mountain scenery – the kind that takes your breath away, then you’ll find it on the Berg Lake trail. The backdrop, should you be lucky enough to see it, as it’s often shrouded in mist or cloud, is Mount Robson, the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies rising 3,000 m above the valley floor.
Mount Robson is so big that it makes its own micro-climate, a good thing if you’re keen to hike by mid-June as it’s warmer than nearby Jasper.
Not only is Berg Lake a first-class destination, but the trail up to the lake offers an astounding variety of scenery.
It starts gradually, climbing alongside the Robson River through a micro rainforest of hemlock and cedar. The year I did it was a wet one and large sections of the trail for the first few kilometres were underwater.
Description of the hike to Berg Lake
Kinney Lake is the first major landmark you reach and the location of the first of seven campsites. It’s also the end of the trail should you be riding a bike.
Next up is the fantastic Valley of a Thousand Falls, accessed via a very steep climb. Named waterfalls you pass include White Falls, Falls of the Pool and Emperor Falls.
From Emperor Falls it’s another 3 km to reach the shores of Berg Lake. Look for the Berg Glacier as you continue along the trail. Sometimes you might even see a recently calved iceberg. Look up too. The face of Mount Robson rises over 2,300 m above the lake.
Many people call it quits at the Berg Lake Campground as it’s got a cabin for cooking indoors, a plus when you consider that the climate here is notoriously wetter than in either Banff or Jasper National Park.
But if you want a taste of solitude continue to the Rearguard or Robson Pass Campgrounds, one and two kilometres away respectively. Almost no one goes there.
Snowbird Pass – Hargreaves Glacier
Try to allot a few extra days in the Berg Lake area and use them to explore Snowbird Pass and/or do the Hargreaves Glacier/Mumm Basin Route. Both offer outstanding vistas and wonderful wildflowers in summer.
Note: Snowbird Pass is closed in May and June due to caribou calving, so plan your visit accordingly.
Options: Do the 21.2 km round trip to Snowbird Pass, a 6 km loop to Hargreaves Glacier or the 12 km Mumm Basin loop
Useful information for your hike on the Berg Lake trail
Dogs allowed: Yes, leashed but only on day hikes.
Bears: Be bear aware and be sure to carry easily accessible bear spray.
Sleeping: Bring a backpacking tent as hammocks aren’t permitted.
Fires: No fires are allowed. Bring a camp stove.
Suggested 5-day Berg Lake trail itinerary: Hike to Whitehorn campground on day one. Hike to Berg Lake campground on day two. Do a day hike to Snowbird Pass on day 3. On day 4 hike to either Whitehorn or Kinney Lake campground or all the way out. On day 5 finish if you camped at Whitehorn or Kinney Lake campgrounds.
Fun fact: Mount Robson Provincial Park is included within the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks as a UNESCO world heritage site. It boasts 224,866 hectares, 200 km of trails, 182 species of birds, 43 species of mammals and 4 species of amphibians.
Berg Lake hiking map
What to take with you on the hike
The weather in the mountains can change on a dime so you really must go prepared. Dress in layers and be sure to include some warm clothing like this lightweight down jacket. My preference is always one with a hood. Take a warm hat and gloves, even in summer.
Hiking poles can be invaluable on the steep sections of trail. And for comfort at night, nothing beats a camp pillow. In case of gear emergencies, I would recommend a product like tenacious tape for repairing coat, tent or sleeping bag rips.
I would also highly recommend carrying a waterproof top map of the Berg Lake area along with an offline hiking app like Organic Maps.
More reading on backpacking trips in the Rockies
- Hiking the Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park
- Tonquin Valley Hiking Guide – What You Need to Know
- 10 Beginner Backpacking Trips in the Canadian Rockies
- A 3 Day Backpacking Trip that Includes Egypt Lake
- Sawback Trail Hike: Johnston Creek to Baker Lake
Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards.
Counting down the days until September 1st to do this hike with my mom!!!!!!! We’re going to be staying at the EF CG. Any suggestions or helpful hints or tips for us? L O V E your blog !!!! I’m moving to black diamond Alberta in a few months as well, and am in love with all of your awesome hikes and adventures in southern Alberta!!!! Keep up the great blog please 🙂
@Randi Thank you for your very kind comment. Just be sure to have clothes for all season on that hike. You’ll be seeing more hikes written up from southern Alberta this summer. Appreciate the support.
The Best Trail in the Canadian Rockies!!! Looking forward to go back this summer.
Hello,
I am looking at doing this hike next year in place of a bachelor party. and wondering how much farther of a hike it is from berg lake to robson lake via snow bird pass? I think that would put an exclamation point on the hiking trip.
@Zane Let me get back to you. I have to check a few sources. It would be beautiful.
Just back from a two-night fly-in/hike-out from Robson Pass to the trailhead, and I enjoyed your nice, succinct trip report, with some inspiring photos! I especially like the mountains reflected in a mirror-still Kinney Lake. Better weather than we had, but i hear this is an especially wet summer in the area…
Thanks also for the stats, which I haven’t seen in other blogs, stories and th elike. I knew the Trail was popular, but didn’t realize it was the most popular in the Canadian Rockies! Thanks for the fact checking. Hope you don’t mind if I cite some of your figures in my own post. I’ll include a citation of course 🙂
@Aaron Glad to hear the trip was a success. My friend has done the fly in- hike out a few times now and much prefers it that way.
Is this trail dog friendly?!
@Michelle I’m going to have to check. I don’t actually remember.
Thanks waiting for your reply 🙂
@Michelle The website seems to suggest that dogs are allowed on a leash. But I’ve also tweeted a question out and will see what I get. Otherwise try calling reservations as they should know. If I get something on Twitter I’ll get back to you.
@Michelle – I got an answer to your question on Twitter: No dogs allowed on overnight trails. Allowed on the day trails provided they are on a leash.
Just wanted how much I appreciate your articles, thank you for the thoughtful information on all these destinations.
@Tannor And thanks for your great comment.
I have been loving your posts! So much great information I have been using to plan our trip through the Rockies this summer. We have already booked Skoki Trail and the Skyline Trail. I am now considering this one but not sure we will have the time. If we were to hike for a day or two only on this trail what would you recommend? Sounds like it is worth at least some time!
@Tori You could go up and camp part way and then the next AM go another 1-2 hours up without heavy packs and then walk all the way out. That way you’d get a taste. Or do as friends have done and take a helicopter in and walk out.
I hiked this trail about two weeks ago and I’m still trying to get over the astounding beauty of it. Spent 4 days in the park with one day dedicated to the Snowbird Pass. Absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for writing this article, I was using it during my research before the trip.
@Peter So glad you had a great trip. I know I get hooked on that in your face big mountain scenery. Glad the blog was of some help.
Hi, my wife and I are from London and are doing a ‘Heli Hike’ in August this year. So we get dropped off and hike back down. Just wondered if we should carry anything in addition to our ‘normal’ hiking gear, or take any items specific for hiking in this area. Thanks for any advice. Paul
@Paul I would take a can of bear spray. It can get really chilly in the evening or if it rains so I always take a very lightweight but super warm down jacket. Don’t forget a warm toque & mitts as well. It’s a glorious hike. Enjoy it.
That’s great – Thank you
I hope to join the Burg Lake trekking.
Start day: July 5-6, 2015 ( 2 day)
You have a space ?? One Man.
@Jay You’d have to contact a trekking company. I only write about the experience.