Berg Lake Trail: A 4-Day Backpacking Guide & Permits
Berg Lake Trail has been on my bucket list for years, but the trail was closed from 2021 to 2025 following flash flooding that required extensive repairs across its entire length. This year, I finally managed to get a permit and planned a backpacking trip over 4 days and 3 nights.
I made my way up through Kinney Lake, the Valley of a Thousand Falls and Emperor Falls before finally reaching Berg Lake itself. The weather wasn’t exactly on our side but we got lucky and still saw Mount Robson almost completely clear of clouds. I’d actually seen it fully uncovered once before, on a separate Canadian Rockies road trip, so I already had a good reference for just how special that clear view really is.
This Berg Lake guide includes all the practical information and research I’ve personally gathered, from the itinerary that worked for us, to how to get a permit in a very competitive process, to the logistics that’ll help your trip run smoothly. If Berg Lake has been on your bucket list too, here’s what to expect.
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Why Hike Berg Lake Trail
Berg Lake Trail is one of the most beautiful hikes in the Canadian Rockies, located in Mount Robson Provincial Park. It’s without a doubt one of my favorite backpacking trips in BC and if you’re taking a Western Canada road trip, Berg Lake Trail should be a stop on your itinerary.
You start the trail in a temperate rainforest, pass through a valley surrounded by cascading waterfalls and end up beneath the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson at 3,954 metres.
The highlight of the trail is certainly Berg Glacier, which runs down Mount Robson’s north face into the turquoise waters of Berg Lake. It’s very rare to find a place where you can camp beside a glacier that calves right into a lake.
The trail is also in excellent condition after extensive rebuilding, which allowed it to reopen in 2025 following its closure due to flooding in 2021.
Berg Lake Trail is a very popular trail requiring to reserve permits to camp in the backcountry well in advance. Read below my section on how to get a Berg Lake Trail reservation for more details.
Berg Lake Trail Snapshot
Berg Lake Trail Map: Campgrounds, Distance & Elevation
Best Time to Hike Berg Lake Trail
The best time to hike Berg Lake Trail is in July and August. The trail may still have snow in June, while September often brings the season’s first snow. What I found impressive, is that in winter, temperatures recorded at Berg Lake can reach -40°C.
We hiked Berg Lake Trail in July and while the forecast called for rain every day, we lucked out (even getting one almost cloud-free day). This might sound absurd, but seeing Mount Robson fully out of the clouds is not a given. It’s common to start the day with sun and end it with rain and thunder overnight, which is exactly why having the right gear with you is essential. Read below my section on what to pack for the Berg Lake Trail.
You can check the weather forecast on the trail at Environment Canada, Mountain Forecast or Windy.
How to Get to Berg Lake Trailhead
The trailhead to Berg Lake begins at the end of Kinney Lake Road in Mount Robson Park. It’s just a short drive away from the Mount Robson Welcome Centre and the Highway.
Berg Lake Trail is about 1 hour west from Jasper and almost on the Alberta border. The closest airports to the trailhead are in Calgary (5-6 hrs drive) and Edmonton (5 hrs drive). Calgary is a good starting point, if you’re initially spending 3 days in Banff National Park or longer, and still want to fit in a multi-day backcountry trip before heading home.
We drove from Vancouver to Berg Lake Trail and it took us almost 8 hours, which we split over 2 days. You can also add the Berg Lake hike to a Western Coast road trip if you’re visiting Canada for more than 2 weeks.
Berg Lake Trail Reservations and Permits
If you’re planning on staying overnight at one of the seven backcountry campgrounds on the Berg Lake Trail, you need to get a reservation at BC Parks website. For the 2026 season, the reservations opened on December 2, 2025. This included the stays between May 27 and September 29, 2026.
Before you start the Berg Lake Trail, don’t forget to check in at the Mount Robson Welcome Centre. You’ll receive a short orientation session and a printed reservation ticket to hang on your tent.
The camping fees are $10 per adult per night. But if you’re visiting from outside BC, starting 2026 there is an additional $20 non-resident fee.
How Many Days on the Berg Lake Trail
You can hike the Berg Lake Trail in one day or five days. It all depends on how much pain you want to endure. It’s a 42 km return trip and I’d highly recommend spending at least one night at Berg Lake.
If you’ve done other multi-day backpacking trips before, such the Juan de Fuca Trail, you’ll have a sense of the pacing and endurance required for this trail.
This being said, we saw people trail running Berg Lake Trail in one day, cycling to Kinney Lake and continuing on foot or backpacking for several nights in the backcountry. Since the drive from Vancouver to the trailhead is already long, we preferred spending 3 nights (4 days) on the Berg Lake Trail.
If you’re short on time, 2 nights are a solid option. Stay at Whitehorn or Emperor Falls the first night and at Berg Lake the second night.
The sweet spot for most hikers is 3 nights (us included). You get to spend a full day at Berg Lake and even do a day hike from there.
Berg Lake Trail Campgrounds
Along the Berg Lake Trail there are 7 backcountry campgrounds. Each campground has tent pads, pit toilets and bear-proof food lockers. At several campground, such as Berg Lake, there is also a shelter.
Campground | Distance from trailhead (km) | Elevation (m) | Tent pads |
|---|---|---|---|
Kinney Lake | 7 | 964 | 18 |
Whitehorn | 11 | 1,097 | 22 |
Emperor Falls | 16 | 1,615 | 9 |
Marmot | 19 | 1,645 | 7 |
Berg Lake | 21 | 1,641 | 26 |
Rearguard | 22 | 1,646 | 6 |
Robson Pass | 23 | 1,649 | 15 |
4 Day Berg Lake Trail Itinerary (Recommended)
Before you start the trail, remember to check in at the Mount Robson Welcome Centre. Below is an overview of our 4 day Berg Lake Trail itinerary before I dive deeper into the details.
- Night 1: Kinney Lake Campground (7 km from trailhead)
- Night 2: Berg Lake Campground (14 km from Kinney Lake)
- Night 3: Berg Lake Campground (day hike)
- Day 4: Hike out (21 km)
Day 1: Trailhead to Kinney Lake Campground
Distance: 7 km | Elevation Gain: 130 m | Time: 1.5 hours
After checking in at the Welcome Centre, we drove to the parking lot of Berg Lake Trailhead. We ate a delicious homemade focaccia sandwich, which I’m still dreaming about and then started the hike to Kinney Lake.
The trail to Kinney Lake is relatively flat and follows the river for about 4 km before reaching the bridge to Kinney Lake. Many also just plan a day hike to Kinney Lake or cycle this section of the Berg Lake Trail.
Most of the campsites are along the lakeshore so great views are almost guaranteed. There is also an open-sided cooking shelter with picnic tables where you can cook out of the rain.
Day 2: Kinney Lake to Berg Lake Campground
On the second day, we hiked directly from Kinney Lake to Berg Lake, where we camped for 2 nights.
Kinney Lake to Whitehorn Campground
Distance: 4 km | Elevation Gain: 100 m | Time: ~1 hour
If you cycled to Kinney Lake, there is a bike rack just 1 km away from the campground on the trail to Whitehorn campground. You’re not allowed to bike past this point.
From Kinney Lake to Whitehorn, a series of switchbacks climbs away from the lake up toward Whitehorn Campground. Whitehorn is a great spot to refill your water before tackling the next section.
Cross the bridge and follow the rocky path all the way up to Emperor Falls.
Whitehorn to Emperor Falls
Distance: 5 km | Elevation Gain: 600 m | Time: ~2 hours
The section from Whitehorn to Emperor Falls is the hardest, involving most of the elevation gain. The trail is well marked and you’ll first come across the White Falls, before continuing up all the way to the junction to Emperor Falls.
Take the right turn to the viewpoint of Emperor Falls but note that you’ll most likely get soaked by the wind and glacier water of the falls. Still worth it in my opinion.
We stopped at Emperor Falls campground for lunch before continuing for our final destination.
Emperor Falls to Marmot Campground
Distance: 3 km | Elevation Gain: <50 m | Time: ~1 hour
After Emperor Falls, the trail levels out and opens up to the alpine landscape. To reach Marmot Campground, you’ll need to test your balance crossing a series of large rocks that stand in for a normal bridge. Don’t worry, there are also more conventional ladders like the one below.
This section is almost flat and easy to follow. Here is where you’ll get the first views of Berg Lake and the Berg Lake Glacier from afar.
Marmot to Berg Lake Campground
Distance: 2 km | Elevation Gain: <50 m | Time: ~30 minutes
Finally after hiking for 5 hours from Kinney Lake, we reached Berg Lake Campground. There are a lot of great tent spots depending on your preference and distance from the shelter.
We finished up the day with dinner in front of Berg Lake glacier before enjoying a restful night of sleep.
Day 3: Day Hike from Berg Lake
Distance: 12 km | Elevation Gain: 500 m | Time: 5-6 hours
On our third day on the Berg Lake Trail, we decided to hike to the Berg Lake Viewpoint and cover a section of the Snowbird Trail. We originally wanted to do the entire Snowbird Trail, which is about 20 km return trip to the Berg Lake campground, but then decided against it considering that the next day we would need to cover the same distance to return to the parking lot.
To reach the Berg Lake Viewpoint, follow the Toboggan Falls trail for about 1.9 km one way. On a clear day the view of Berg Lake is really fantastic. We got the entire viewpoint to ourselves for over 1.5 hours.
In the afternoon, we did almost half of the Snowbird Trail and enjoyed the views of the glaciers and alpine lakes along the way. In my opinion, even if you don’t have time to hike Snowbird Trail in its entire length, I’d recommend still hiking at least a section. It’s breathtaking!
Day 4: Berg Lake to Trailhead
Distance: 21 km | Elevation Gain: 700 m | Time: 5-6 hours
Our last day at Berg Lake was very cold, rainy and windy. For a moment I forgot it was summer. We packed our tent early in the morning and made our way down.
We stopped at Whitehorn for lunch, which marks the halfway point before descending all the way down to the trailhead. The last 5 km, while still very flat, were the hardest for me. My feet were glad to jump into the sandals immediately after.
Day Hikes Near Berg Lake
If you’re staying at Berg Lake campground for one night or two, there are some great day hikes you can do. But if you’re staying at Rearguard, Marmot or Robson Pass campgrounds, you’ll also be close enough to all of these trails.
1. Snowbird Pass (Full Day)
Distance: 20 km return | Elevation Gain: 940 m | Time: 7-8 hours
Snowbird Pass trail is one of the most popular day trips from Berg Lake. You’ll hike past alpine lakes and glaciers until you reach the pass itself. The views over the Reef Icefield are breathtaking.
Annually this trail is closed from May 1st to July 1st to protect caribou calving grounds. So the Snowbird Pass trail is only an option if you’re hiking in July, August or September.
The first 3 km of the trail are relatively flat, but the rest is mostly uphill.
2. Mumm Basin Loop (Half Day)
Distance: 7 km return | Elevation Gain: 500 m | Time: 3-4 hours
On the Mumm Basin Loop you’ll get excellent views over Berg Lake, Mount Robson and Rearguard Mountain.
On our visit, a section of the trail was closed due to rockslide, not allowing to complete the loop. So it’s best to check the current trail status before you go.
3. Toboggan Falls and Hargreaves Lake Loop (Half Day)
Distance: 6 km return | Elevation Gain: 350 m | Time: 2-3 hours
Toboggan Falls is an easy hike near Berg Lake and can be done in half a day. I would also recommend a short detour to the Berg Lake Viewpoints to see the sheer size of the Berg Lake Glacier and Mount Robson.
What to Pack for the Berg Lake Trail
We did a backpacking trip to Berg Lake in July and the weather couldn’t have been more unpredictable. Therefore, wearing layers and having the right gear is essential.
Gear for Sleeping
- Tent: a lightweight tent will save you some weight while backpacking. We bought our MEC Spark tent some years ago and still love it as the first day.
- Tarp: rain at night or during the day is very common and a tarp would lower the chances of your tent getting wet.
- Sleeping bag: we took our Draco sleeping bags rated -9°C, which was ideal for the cold nights, even in summer.
- Sleeping pad: having a sleeping pad with a high R-value is key. You’ll have more elevation from the ground, keeping you warmer at night. We use this sleeping pad.
Clothing & Footwear
- Rain jacket: non-negotiable and bring one regardless of forecast. I’ve recently upgraded my jacket to the Patagonia Torrentshell.
- Puffer or down jacket: to keep you warm in the mornings and evenings. I have this Patagonia Down Sweater.
- Fleece: for a warm mid-layer.
- Hiking shirts and pants: avoid cotton and opt for moisture-wicking items.
- Socks: I use merino socks for the day and a warm pair for the nights in the tent.
- Hat & gloves: yes, even in summer! Some nights get very chilly.
- Sun shirt and sun hat: for the sunny days and to protect yourself against sun.
- Hiking boots or shoes: I’ve been wearing my La Scarpa boots for years now!
- Sandals: for when you’re staying at the campsite.
Cooking & Food
- Stove & fuel canister: we’ve been using our Jetboil for all the backpacking trips. It’s so compact making it easy and light to carry on long trails.
- Water filter: some people prefer purification tablets but I love the MSR AutoFlow bag. You fill it up once, hang it on a tree and use it for the entire duration of the trip. For shorter trips, I rely on the Grayl bottle.
- Lightweight cookware: at least a plate, cup, fork and knife each.
- Dry bag: for storing your food and scented items in the bear cache.
- All meals and snacks: we definitely overpacked on snacks but we did our own dehydrated food for the main meals. It’s a lot more nutritious and budget friendly than store-bought backpacking meals. We’ve been using this dehydrator over the last years, which is very easy to use.
Safety & Navigation
- Bear spray: non-negotiable when you’re hiking in bear country.
- Offline maps: I use maps.me but you can also download AllTrails or Gaia App offline maps.
- Satellite communicator: for emergencies or staying in touch with your family and friends. Garmin inReach has built a strong reputation in this sector over the years.
- Headlamp: remember to charge it or carry extra batteries depending on your model.
- First aid kit: always good to have, which you can put together yourself or buy online.
Other Recommended Items
- Trekking poles: always good to have when you carry a heavy backpack that might unbalance you while crossing water creeks or steep sections.
- Bug spray and net: in June and July mosquitos can be very bad at Berg Lake.
- Toilet paper: this is not provided at any of the outhouses on the trail.
- Wine: I know, very unessential backpacking item, but it’s so nice to sip on a glass of wine with Berg Lake Glacier in front of you. We use this Platypus bottle.
- Coffee maker: we love coffee so this was a non-negotiable. My only regret was not packing some extra coffee. For all our backpacking trips, we carry our AeroPress.
Where To Stay Before and After the Berg Lake Trail
We drove from Vancouver to Berg Lake Trail and decided to split the drive with a stop at Lac Le Jeune campground near Kamloops. But you can decide to stay in Jasper (1 hour drive) or Valemount (30 min drive) as well.
Unfortunately, it’s not allowed to sleep in your vehicle at the Berg Lake Trail parking lot. But right at the trailhead and near the Welcome Centre, there are 3 frontcountry campgrounds which are accessible by vehicle:
- Robson Meadows: 125 campsites, first come first served available
- Robson River: 40 campsites, first come first served available
- Lucerne: 36 campsites, first come first served available
You can reserve these campsites at BC Parks website.
More Backpacking Trips in BC and Rockies
- Russet Lake near Whistler
- Mount MacFarlane in Chilliwack
- Flora Peak in Chilliwack
- Cape Scott Trail on Vancouver Island
- 5040 Peak on Vancouver Island
- Frosty Mountain near Vancouver for golden larches in fall
- Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park
- Tin Hat Hut and Lewis Lake on Sunshine Coast
- Joffre Lakes near Pemberton
