Hiking the Grizzly-Laden Berg Lake Trail in Mount Robson Provincial Park, BC
Hiking the Grizzly-Laden Berg Lake Trail in Mount Robson Provincial Park, BC
Hiking the Berg Lake Trail in Mount Robson Provincial Park, BC is a bucket-list adventure for outdoor enthusiasts. This 23-km (one way) trek offers breathtaking landscapes, from dense forests to glaciers, and is known for frequent grizzly bear sightings. Hikers must be prepared for backcountry conditions and wildlife encounters, making this trail both rewarding and demanding. The route’s highlights include Emperor Falls, Berg Lake, and views of Mount Robson’s towering face.
### Adventure Guide to Hiking the Grizzly-Laden Berg Lake Trail
Emperor Falls – A Must-See Waterfall
- Location: 16 km from the trailhead
- What Makes It Special: This thundering waterfall is one of the most dramatic along the trail, offering a refreshing mist for tired hikers.
- Key Features: Just off the main trail, a short spur takes hikers to a viewpoint where they can appreciate the powerful cascade plunging over sheer rock cliffs.
Berg Lake – The Glacier-Fed Jewel
- Location: 21 km from the trailhead
- What Makes It Special: The lake’s icy turquoise waters sit beneath the towering Mist and Berg glaciers, creating a surreal alpine scene.
- Key Features: Multiple backcountry campsites, a rustic hut available for booking, and access to further side trails.
Grizzly Bear Hotspots – Safety and Awareness
- Location: Throughout the trail, notably along Kinney Lake and Robson River
- What Makes It Special: The region is home to a healthy grizzly population, requiring hikers to carry bear spray and adhere to wildlife safety measures.
- Key Features: Education boards along the route provide up-to-date bear activity information.
### Local Insights
- Mount Robson is the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3,954 meters.
- Campsites are reservation-only and fill up quickly, often needing to be booked months ahead.
- The indigenous Secwépemc people have historically traveled through this area for hunting and trade.
### Visitor Tips
- Best Time to Visit: Mid-June to late September for best weather and trail conditions.
- What to Bring: Bear spray, food storage containers, sturdy hiking boots, rain gear, and a detailed topographic map.
- Driving Directions: Mount Robson Provincial Park is 2.5 hours from Jasper, AB, and 5 hours from Calgary, AB, via the Yellowhead Highway.
Adventure Map
Reviews
donna lin7 months ago
The trail up to Kinney Lake is perfect for hikers of all levels.
It's an 8km round trip (~2 hours) with a gravel path that is smooth and comfortable to walk on. The trail is relatively flat, with no steep inclines, and is alongside the river. Didn’t have time to go farther than that, but the entire trail is about 42km.
The views were jaw dropping and absolutely beautiful. Looked like something straight out of a painting.
Bryson Huculak5 months ago
From this trailhead, there is an excellent family-friendly hike to Kinney Lake. You get a wonderful view of Mt Robson, Kinney Lake, and the nearby mountains. 5 km one-way (10 km roundtrip), with the path being ~3m wide and well maintained. There is one short section that is mildly steep, though overall the trail is very doable by most people. Well worth the views of the lake, even if you do not plan to go all the way to Berg Lake. Some of the forest sections were beautiful, with surprisingly lush undergrowth, mosses, and cedar trees. I would recommend this trail to both experienced and novice hikers.
Ivo Wilhelm5 years ago
Unfortunately we only had time to hike Berg Lake Trail to Kinney Lake and back - which was already great! The trail itself is not very steep and easily doable for beginners or parents with kids. The colour of the water is comparable to the well known lakes of Jasper and Banff.
Though we went on a weekend in late August there was enough space for parking.
Erin Martina year ago
Beautiful wide trail to Kinney lake, definitely need good hiking shoes/boots & lots of water. Scenery is gorgeous the closer you get to Mount Robson.
Hamy Do6 years ago
Stunning place! It’s definitely worth the hike up to Berg lake if you have the time.
Beautiful lakes and waterfalls along the trail and the paths are quite well maintained.
If you are planing to camp overnight, I recommend brining a sleeping mat as most of the tent pads are not on comfortable surface.
