Alpine lake hikes are plentiful in the Rocky Mountains!
There are options in Kananaskis, Canmore and Banff if you are looking for amazing reflections, or avoiding a smokey summer day (which can be common unfortunately).
Chester Lake
Distance: 10-11km
Elevation: 340-475m
Duration: 2-3h
Some notes: A great hike for the entire summer and shoulder season. We save this one for smokey summer days. Not difficult, small uphill section at the start, then a nice dirt path walk. You can add in a few kilometers to head to the elephant rocks to the left of the lake.
Boom Lake
Distance: 10-11km
Elevation: 250m
Duration: 2-3h
Some notes: A great hike for any season, although the lake is covered by ice and snow in the winter. A really gradual incline and nice trail!
Rummel Lake
Distance: 10.5-11.5km
Elevation: 370-550m
Duration: 2-3h
Some notes: If you go the longer route with a bit more elevation – you’ll see a couple water falls, if you go the shorter, flatter route then you won’t! Turn right when you come to the bridge for the waterfall route!
Lake Louise – Lake Agnes & the Teahouse
Check out all three hikes at Lake Louise here.
Distance: 7.5km
Elevation: 435m
Duration: 2-3
Some notes: You can only do the hikes around Lake Louise in the summer seasons as it is avalanche area in the winter. It is BUSY in the summer, parking is paid or you will have to shuttle from a further parking lot. It’s a great hike to do but I avoid it usually due to crowds
Elbow Lake
See more at this link – I wrote about this hike in Kananaskis Hikes under 10km!
This is a great hike to do in the summer or winter!
Rawson Lake
See more at this link – I wrote about this hike in Kananaskis Hikes under 10km!
You can also continue on after Rawson Lake up to Sarrail ridge which is not a hike for the faint of heart, but the views are spectacular.