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One of the best hikes in the world is
BERG LAKE
Hikes in this area also referred to as:
- Berg Lake Trail
- Mount Robson
- Mount Robson - Berg Lake
- Berg Lake and Snowbird Pass
Have you hiked this area recently?
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The red dot is Mt ROBSON Provincial Park.
 AT A GLANCE
- find transport to distant Mt Robson
- 5 days, 4 nights recommended
- day hikes & scrambles from base camp at Berg Lake
- July to mid-September
Towering almost 2 miles above the trailhead, Robson is irresistible to hikers. You get a jaw dropping view from the trailhead visitor's centre.
WHY WE LIKE THIS HIKE
Massive Robson 3954m (12,972ft) is the highest peak of the Canadian Rockies. It is so huge it creates a micro-climate allowing early season hiking, some years. On the other hand, the weather deteriorates quickly. The peak, infamous with climbers, is often shrouded.
The most unique highlight of many is Emperor Falls. You must be washed in the spray to believe it is real!
In the Valley of a Thousand Falls, this is truly the Emperor.
- ice plunging 792m (2,598ft) down the mountain into Berg Lake
- the colours of the Robson River
- boulder hopping shortcuts across huge alluvial fans
- the magic meadow en route to Snowbird Pass
- wading Toboggan Falls
- taking photos of every duck hoping they are the elusive Harlequin
- having a hoary marmot sit on your lap!
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CONSIDERATIONS
- this is a very popular hike
- over 4000 people a year tent, 50,000+ day hike
- once you hike above Berg Lake, however, you will be alone most of the time
- trails sometimes closed due to bear
- this is prime grizzly bear territory (though you are still at far greater risk of injury driving to the trailhead than from bear attack)
- the weather is highly variable. It can snow any day of the year. Or it can climb to 30°C (86°F)
- climbing Robson is dangerous. Mountaineers died while we were hiking there in 2003.
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ROUTES
Many hikers do just Berg Lake Trail, gaining 800m (2625ft) over 23km (14.3mi). This is a good hike — but not a great hike as you must backtrack the same trail. A bit dull if you rush it.
This is a great hike if you spend 3 nights at Berg, each day hiking and scrambling. (See photos  of our 5 day, 4 night 2003 itinerary.)
Spend one night on the ascent at Kinney Lake campground.
Don't miss Snowbird Pass, the best, most challenging full day hike from Berg. (Note it may be closed in May and June so hikers do not disturb caribou who are calving.)
Other good sidetrips:
- Hargreaves Glacier / Mumm Basin loop 16.5km (10.25mi)
- Toboggan Falls - 2hr return. Keep scrambling up to some caves for the best view of Robson.
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If you are short of time, we recommend the heli-hike itinerary. Fly up to Berg Lake, explore, then hike out. The chopper only comes in twice a week. Fri & Mon (or Tue after long weekends). Cost about C$210 for 4-7 passengers one way. Confirm details by e-mail.
LOGISTICS
- the closest major airports are Calgary, Alberta (YYC) and Edmonton (YEG)
- rent gear if needed at MEC in Calgary or MEC in Edmonton
- Valemount and Jasper are the closest towns to the trailhead
- most hikers pass through Jasper, the hiking centre of the northern Canadian Rockies
- we dislike HI-Jasper, the hostel. You are better off tenting at one of 3 campgrounds close to the trailhead.
- pay for your permit at Robson Visitor Centre on the Yellowhead, Highway 16
- a few tent sites can be reserved. You normally need not bother. Most sites are first-come, first-served.
- mountain bikes and horses muddy up lower sections
- Berg Lake campground is the most popular. Choose one of the others if you want to avoid the crowds.
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If you like Robson, you will love Assiniboine.
INDEPENDENT OR GUIDED?
Almost everyone hikes Berg independently, however.
LOCAL INFORMATION
BEST TREKKING GUIDEBOOKS
There are many good hiking guidebooks. But we love Graeme Pole's innovative binders where we can remove just the relevant pages for our hike, carrying them in a protective plastic slipcover. Brilliant! Be sure to get the most recent edition.
The Copeland guide is excellent too, rating hikes from 1-4 "stars".
BEST TRAVEL GUIDEBOOKS
- Lonely Planet Banff, Jasper and Glacier National Parks - Miller, Derby, Lukas, 2004
- Moon Handbooks Canadian Rockies - Andrew Hempstead, 2005
- Moon Handbooks Alberta: Banff, Jasper, Northwest Territories - Andrew Hempstead, 2004
- Lonely Planet British Columbia - Andrew Hempstead, 2004
- Moon Handbooks British Colombia - Andrew Hempstead, 2005
- Frommer's Banff & Jasper National Parks - Christie Pashby, 2004
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OTHER RECOMMENDED BOOKS
Gadd is our bible in the Rockies: flowers, plants, animals, birds, fish, geology, history and much more.
BEST MAPS
BEST WEB PAGES
After this page, some of the best links are:
BEST PHOTOS & TRIP REPORTS
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