Place
Overview
This is a compact, 4.5 km/2.8 mi loop that fully circles Berm Lake from the Achray Campground. It’s rated moderate: short on mileage, but the footing keeps you honest. Plan about 2 hours if you like to stop at viewpoints and take your time. A valid park permit is required.
Trail Experience
Expect classic east-side forest—open, airy stands of pine with pockets of oak—and frequent peeks of the “pretty little” lake. Underfoot, you’ll move between rooty singletrack and broad rock slabs; those bedrock sections get slick when wet. The path is generally well-marked, though you may encounter mucky stretches after rain and the occasional fallen tree. On the far side of the lake a hill hosts a modest lookout, a nice mid-loop pause.
There’s a splash of art history here: Tom Thomson is believed to have sketched around Berm Lake and the adjacent marsh (sometimes referred to as “Cranberry Marsh”). Vegetation has changed since his time, but it’s fun to imagine the scenes. Beavers still shape this landscape—water levels in Berm Lake are influenced by their activity—and the lake drains to Grand Lake via Johnston Creek.
Variations
From the same trailhead, many hikers stitch on a longer day loop that adds nearby Johnston (also spelled Johnson) Lake via the Eastern Pines Backpacking Trail. It’s roughly 6.6 km/4.1 mi and includes a designated backcountry campsite on Johnston Lake if you’re making it an overnight.
Tips & Logistics
- Footwear: Waterproof shoes with good grip pay off on slick rock and muddy sections.
- Facilities: Parking and toilets are at/near the Achray Campground trailhead.
- Access: The road to Achray can be seasonally closed; if it is, you may have an extra walk to reach the start—build in time.
Best Time to Hike
Spring through fall offers the simplest access and driest tread. Summer can be buggy. With pine and oak in the mix, this loop is especially pleasant in fall when colors pop and the lakeshore light gets soft. Weekdays see fewer people; early or late in the day gives calmer water and better photography.
Pros
- Full lake circuit with frequent shoreline viewpoints
- Interpretive pine‑forest theme adds context as you go
- Easy logistics from Achray with parking and toilets at the start
Cons
- Exposed rock turns slick when wet; mucky patches linger after rain
- Seasonal access road closures to Achray can add an approach walk
- Occasional fallen trees may require brief detours
Parking
Park at or near the Achray Campground trailhead; toilets on-site. Day-use permit required.
Caution
Slick bedrock after rain, muddy sections, and occasional blowdowns; Achray access road may be seasonally closed—verify before you go.
