The hike to Cirque Peak and Helen Lake is hands-down one of the best hikes in Banff National Park! With unimpeded 360-degree views of the Canadian Rockies at the summit, the trail passes through the most picturesque alpine meadows and the perfect resting spot at Helen Lake.
Hiking to Cirque Peak was easily one of the highlights of our time in Banff. That being said, the trail up to the summit of Cirque Peak is no joke and you need to be adequately prepared. Keep on reading to learn everything you need to tackle Cirque Peak!
But the 360-degree views from the summit are more than worth the effort. Even if you only make it to Helen Lake, the hike is one of Banff’s best!
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Cirque Peak Hike | At a Glance
- Hiking distance | 10.0 miles
- Elevation gain | 3,710 feet
- Epic-ness rating | 9
- Difficulty | Hard
- Fees | Entrance to Banff National Park costs about $7.80 USD per person per day. Alternatively, you can purchase an annual Parks Canada Discovery Pass for $50 USD per person.
- Dogs allowed? | Yes, although the final summit push involves a healthy dose of loose scree and some scrambling that we wouldn’t recommend for canines. The hike to Helen Lake is perfectly fine though!
- Special conditions | Loose scree and rock scrambling definitely make it a physical and mental challenge.
- Trailhead & Parking | Helen Lake Parking area, paved and accessible with any vehicle
Highlights
- Some of the best views in Banff National Park from the summit
- Helen Lake is a picturesque destination itself
- The alpine meadow leading up to Helen Lake is one of the prettiest we’ve ever seen
- For those looking for something a bit more challenging than a typical hike, the trail up to Cirque Peak is perfect
Lowlights
- The trail to the summit after Helen Lake is very challenging and will be scary for some
- One of the most popular hikes in Banff so you’ll definitely see some crowds
Cirque Peak & Helen Lake | Trail Guide
Parking and getting to the trailhead
The trailhead for Cirque Peak is just off the Icefields Parkway, a scenic highway that connects Banff National Park with Jasper. The parking lot is across from Bow Lake and the Crowfoot Glacier viewpoint. The parking area is called “Helen Lake parking area” and is located about 1 hour and 20 minutes (70 miles) from the town of Banff and about 30 minutes (23 miles) from the Lake Louise area. “
The parking lot itself is fairly small so we’d recommend getting an early start to your hike. We arrived to the parking lot a little before 7:00 AM when we hiked in July and didn’t have trouble getting a parking spot. By the time we were back to our car, around 2:00 PM, the parking lot was completely full and people were starting to get creative with their parking location.
There is a bathroom at the trailhead but no other services.
Starting the Cirque Peak hike
The first 1.7 miles of the hike to Cirque Peak cut through dense forest with some occasional views popping through the trees. You can even catch a glimpse of Bow Lake in the distance through the trees.
The trail is definitely an incline at this point, but it’s nothing compared to the push up to the summit. The trail up to Helen Lake is very well-maintained and well-marked.
Meadow before Helen Lake
After about 1.7 miles, the forest begins to thin out and soon you’ll find yourself strolling through the most beautiful alpine meadow. Enjoy the views of snow-capped peaks, wildflowers, rushing mountain streams, and lush grass rippling in the breeze, as you approach Helen Lake.
While the first 1.7 miles are a bit of a slog, the next 1.5 miles out of the forest, through the meadow up to Helen Lake will go by in a flash. It really is one of the most beautiful meadows we’ve ever seen!
Helen Lake
After 3.5 miles, you’ll reach the picturesque Helen Lake, a perfect spot to rest, enjoy the views, and get mentally prepared for the climb up to Cirque Peak. In fact, as you sit on the banks of the lake, Cirque Peak towers behind, just waiting to be conquered!
There is a small outcropping of rocks that provide a great rest spot, but be warned – the marmots here are very much habituated to humans and have absolutely no fear of people. The little dudes were coming right up to us trying to get our food! Please do not feed any wildlife!
Helen Lake to Headwall
From the southern side of Helen Lake, the trail travels to the right, around the eastern side of the lake. You’ll then leave the shore and start making your way up the headwall to a flat ridge. There’s one big switchback on this section of the trail and things start to get steep.
Even if you don’t think you can make it all the way up to the summit, we definitely think you should at least get to the top of the headwall or ridge behind the lake. It’s only about half a mile from the southern edge of the lake to the top of the ridge and the views back down over the lake are magnificent.
Headwall to Summit Push
For some, you’ll likely reach the top of the headwall, see the sweeping views behind you, the towering Cirque Peak summit up ahead, and decide that you’ve reached the turn back point. And honestly, we wouldn’t blame you!
The final .75 mile is extremely steep, very exposed, and traverses loose scree and gravel. The trail becomes faint and difficult to follow. With the loose ground and steep incline, every step feels especially difficult. And there are no trees around so you’ll be completely exposed to the elements.
Maybe a hundred yards below the summit, you’ll reach the end of the steep, loose scree, and reach an even steeper section of more solid rock. You’ll need to get on all fours to scramble up this last bit – truly the cherry on top of the hike!
We enjoy a good scramble and didn’t think this was anything too scary or challenging. Honestly, the hike up the scree was way harder in our opinion. But, the scramble is legit. You definitely don’t need to rope up but make sure you take your time and be careful – you’re pretty high up there!
In general, this section of the hike needs to be taken seriously. While the trail up to Helen Lake and the headwall is a challenge, the last section is a completely different ballgame. Do not underestimate the challenge of the summit push!
Cirque Peak Summit
Of all the mountains we’ve summited, the view from the top of Cirque Peak is undoubtedly one of the best we’ve ever seen. We’re talking about unimpeded 360-degree views of glacier-capped peaks, verdant valleys, Bow Lake, and you can eve see little Helen Lake down in the distance.
After a crushing climb up to the summit, you’ll definitely want to take a long break and soak up all the views. But be warned – when we were on the peak, there was one marmot in particular who was especially brave. The guy was seriously trying to get into my backpack while I was standing not even 5 feet away.
Return hike
After you’ve enjoyed the views and taken a well-deserved rest, it’s time to head back down Cirque Peak. You’ll return the exact same way you came.
Your legs will probably feel like jello and you’ll want to cruise down the loose scree near the summit, but remember to be careful and take your time. Not only do you obviously not want to put yourself in danger, but there will be people coming up the mountain the same time you’re going down and if you trigger even a small rockslide, you could put fellow hikers at risk.
Cirque Peak & Helen Lake | FAQs
How difficult is the Cirque Peak & Helen Lake hike?
The hike to the summit of Cirque Peak is difficult and should only be attempted by physically fit, experienced hikers. That being said, the first 3.5 miles up to Helen Lake are much more gradual and suitable even for casual hikers.
To give you a better sense, the 3.5 miles to Helen Lake include roughly 1,500 feet of elevation gain. Compare that to the last 1.5 miles from Helen Lake to the summit of Cirque Peak, which covers more than 2,200 feet of elevation gain. Add in the fact that the trail up to the summit is loose scree and you’re in for quite the challenge!
How long does it take to hike to Cirque Peak?
We started hiking around 7:00 AM and returned to our car a little after 2:00 PM, totaling just over 7 hours. It took us about an hour and 45 minutes to reach Lake Helen (3.5 miles), where we took our first break (30 minutes). To get from Lake Helen to the summit (1.5 miles), it took us about 2 hours, including the time spent at the summit enjoying the epic views. Our return hike took just about 3 hours.
We consider ourselves to be fairly fit and probably hike at a moderate-to-fast pace, compared to the average hiker. That being said, Sarah wasn’t a huge fan of the climb up to the summit and we took a number of breaks, so we were probably a bit longer than usual on that section of the hike.
Overall, we’d plan for a 7-hour day for the hike to Cirque Peak. Of course, the exact timing will vary depending on your pace, so it’s always best to get an early start.
When is the best time to hike to Cirque Peak in Banff?
The best time of year to hike to Cirque Peak is from late June until early October. Banff is known for its brutal winters and heavy snow. If you try to hike outside of this timeframe, you run the risk of snow blocking the trail. We hiked to Cirque Peak at the end of July and the weather and trail conditions were perfect.
Always check the weather before you begin your hike. Do not attempt the hike to Cirque Peak if there are storms in the forecast. The climb up to the summit is very exposed and not a place you want to be stuck in a thunderstorm.
Is Helen Lake on its own worth the hike?
Helen Lake is located on the way to Cirque Peak, and is worth a visit on its own for those less inclined to tackle the steep route to Cirque Peak. The lake features a view of Cirque Peak behind it and is surrounded by beautiful lush alpine meadows.
Hike early in the morning when the water is perfectly still and you may even catch a stunning reflection of Cirque Peak onto Helen Lake!
Other Banff Resources
Looking for more amazing hikes and things to do in Banff? You may also like the following resources:
- Banff | How to See an Amazing Sunrise at Moraine Lake
- Banff | 16 Best Hikes in Banff & Yoho
- Banff | Big Beehive Hike: Best Views of Lake Louise
- Yoho | Iceline Trail, Little Yoho Valley & Yoho Valley Loop Trail Guide
- Banff | An Epic 4-Day Banff Itinerary for Hikers
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Questions about the Cirque Peak and Helen Lake hike in Banff? Drop us a note in the comments section below!
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