Consolation Lakes Trail (5.8 km, Easy) – Banff National Park

Overview

About Consolation Lakes Trail

Why go

Short route with high alpine meadows, scree, glacier, and peak views
Quieter destination than the busiest Moraine Lake viewpoints
Parks Canada shuttle access puts the trailhead near the day-use area

Heads up

Initial and lakeshore boulder sections are uneven and can be slick
No facilities along the trail and personal vehicles cannot use Moraine Lake Road
Bear habitat and seasonal access or wildlife restrictions require planning

Consolation Lakes is a short, rewarding outing from Moraine Lake to the shore of the first Consolation Lake. The route trades the crowds around the Rockpile for a quieter walk through mature forest, a broad rockslide landscape, high alpine meadows, and views toward the Quadra Glacier.

Parkwolf’s verdictWhy go

Map & elevation

The route

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Full map

Elevation1,846–1,975 m

TrailheadMoraine Lake Rockpile Trailhead51.32827, -116.17957

Keep this map with you offline in the Parkwolf app

Plan your hike

Before you go

Parking

Personal vehicles are not permitted on Moraine Lake Road. Reserve Parks Canada shuttle or Roam transit access, then begin at the bottom of the Rockpile steps near the Moraine Lake day-use area. Toilets are available at the day-use area, not along the trail.

Safety

Carry bear spray and follow current Parks Canada wildlife, group, pet, and trail restrictions. The route crosses an initial boulder field and ends at large shoreline boulders that may shift or become slick when wet, snowy, or icy; the water’s edge is optional.

8 active Banff alerts

ClosureRed Deer River valley closed during ceremonial bison harvestThe Red Deer River valley bottom is closed to the public during an Indigenous ceremonial bison hunt taking place through November, for public safety during the harvest.Official details
ClosureJohnston Canyon closed for constructionJohnston Canyon Trail and Day Use Area, including the washrooms and P1 parking lot, are closed to all traffic and travel through December 11, 2026, for construction work to ensure public and worker…Official details

See all 8 alerts

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Banff Tour Guide

Your drive to Consolation Lakes Trail, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Banff National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

Recorded for this area

The Famous 'Twenty-Dollar View' at Moraine Lake

Listen

“You're getting close to Moraine Lake, and the first thing you'll want to find is the Rockpile Trail.”

Plays on the road 0.1 km from the trailhead in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.

Hiking Consolation Lakes Trail

The route and distanceThis is an out-and-back of about 5.8 km (3.

This is an out-and-back of about 5.8 km (3.6 miles) total, with approximately 135 m of elevation gain and 50 m of loss. Most hikers take about 2 hours round trip, allowing extra time for the boulder sections and photographs. Begin at the bottom of the Rockpile steps, cross the initial rocky section and roughly 200 m of boulders, then follow the maintained forest trail to the first lake. The route ends at the boulder shoreline; rougher travel beyond the first lake toward the second lake is not part of this hike.

What you’ll seeThe approach moves from Moraine Lake’s famous rockslide terrain into mature spruce forest.

The approach moves from Moraine Lake’s famous rockslide terrain into mature spruce forest. Near the end, the trees open toward alpine meadows, scree slopes, and the boulder-strewn shore of the first Consolation Lake, with Quadra Glacier and the surrounding peaks above the valley.

Difficulty and footingEasy to moderate overall, with a mostly gentle forest grade after the opening rocks.

Easy to moderate overall, with a mostly gentle forest grade after the opening rocks. The initial boulder field and the final 20 m to the water’s edge are uneven; large rocks can shift or become slick when wet, snowy, or icy. The water’s edge is optional—turn around at the main trail if the boulders are uncomfortable.

Access and practicalitiesMoraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles.

Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles. Use the Parks Canada shuttle, Roam transit, or another approved transport option to reach Moraine Lake, and plan access reservations before the trip. Toilets are available at the Moraine Lake day-use area; there are no facilities along the trail. Carry water, layers, and an offline map.

Wildlife and safetyThis is bear country.

This is bear country. Carry bear spray, make noise, give wildlife plenty of space, and follow any current Parks Canada group, pet, trail, and wildlife restrictions. Mountain weather can change quickly, and the exposed boulder sections are especially awkward in poor conditions. Check Parks Canada access and trail information before setting out.

Is it for you?Choose this hike if you want a compact Moraine Lake day with a quieter destination and big…

Choose this hike if you want a compact Moraine Lake day with a quieter destination and big mountain scenery. It is a good fit for hikers comfortable crossing uneven rocks; visitors wanting a smooth, accessible walk should stay on the Moraine Lake Lakeshore Trail instead.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Banff

All Banff wildlife maps

122 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map

150 sightingsBrown BearMost seen around 6 PMSighting map

44 sightingsGray WolfMost seen around 6 AMSighting map

12 sightingsRiver OtterMost seen around 8 PMSighting map

67 sightingsMooseMost seen around 8 PMSighting map

465 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 9 PMSighting map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Banff. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.

Consolation Lakes Trail