The Berg Lake Trail is the best-known backpacking route in Mount Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia: roughly 23 km one way from the Robson River trailhead to Berg Lake, climbing past Kinney Lake, the Valley of a Thousand Falls, and Emperor Falls to a turquoise lake sitting directly beneath the largest peak in the Canadian Rockies.
The route at a glance
| Distance | ~23 km one way (~46 km round trip) |
| Elevation gain | ~800 m |
| Typical trip | 2–4 nights |
| Season | Generally July to late September |
| Permits | Reserved campsites required through BC Parks |
Section by section
Trailhead to Kinney Lake (7 km). Wide, gentle, forested. Fast walking with a loaded pack.
Kinney Lake to Whitehorn (11 km). Flats, gravel wash, and the river braid. This is where the valley opens.
The Valley of a Thousand Falls (11–15 km). The real climb. Switchbacks gain most of the day's elevation and deliver you to Emperor Falls, which soaks the trail in spray on a windy afternoon.
Emperor Falls to Berg Lake (15–23 km). Above the falls the grade eases and the glacier front comes into view. Berg Glacier calves into the lake — the sound carries all night.
Permits and access
Campsites are reserved, not first-come. Book the moment the BC Parks window opens; Berg Lake and Emperor Falls campgrounds fill within minutes. Check current trail status before you commit — this trail has been closed for extended repair periods after flood damage, and sections are rebuilt in phases.
What to carry
Cold nights even in August, rain that arrives with no warning, and a long approach with a full pack. Prioritize a real rain shell, a warm sleeping bag, and a stove that lights wet. Plan the load with our Pack Weight Budget Planner, and see the current picks in our Top 10 gear lists.
FAQ
How long is the Berg Lake Trail? About 23 km each way, roughly 46 km round trip from the Mount Robson trailhead.
How hard is the Berg Lake Trail? Moderate to strenuous. The mileage is manageable, but the Valley of a Thousand Falls climb with a multi-day pack is the crux.
Do you need a permit for Berg Lake? Yes — overnight camping requires a reserved BC Parks campsite permit.