Cirque and Chephren Lakes

Trailhead: Park at the Waterfowl Lake Campground approximately 57kms north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway. Banff National Park.

Description: Locate the trailhead at the south west corner of the Waterfowl Lakes campground next to the Mistaya River. Cross the wooden bridge over the Mistaya and continue on a well worn trail towards the Chephren and Cirque Lakes junction.

Spectacular wild mushrooms can be found along the entire length of the trail. Both Cirque Lake and Chephren Lake are easy hikes that climb through an old growth spruce forest. Cirque Lake has an elevation gain of 150ms and Chephren Lakes has an elevation gain of 80ms.

You can easily hike both lakes on the same outing. Cirque Lake is located against the peaks of the Great Divide, Mount Midway, Mount Stairway and Mount Aries. There is a small Glacier on Mount Midway at the south end of Cirque Lake. The trail to Chephren Lake offers outstanding views of Howes Peak and Mount Chephren however the trail winds through a lot of mud bogs. You’ll appreciate a good pair of water proof hiking boots here. Both these alpine lakes are beautiful and well worth the effort. This Is Bear Country.

Bow Valley Parkway Map PDF