A Guide to Bourgeau Lake and Harvey Pass Hike
Harvey Pass past Bourgeau Lake is a spectacular but less known day hike in Banff National Park. Our Bourgeau Lake Trail travel guide includes everything you need to know. The trail description, trek extension to Harvey Pass, tips on how to get or what to pack.
The out-and-back trail to Bourgeau Lake and the possible extension to Harvey Pass caught our eyes when we were looking for a hike for our last day in Banff National Park.
When we visited the Canadian Rockies for the first time, we hadn't planned our travel itinerary that strictly and allowed ourselves to choose what we will do according to weather, current mood, and energy.
In early autumn, the sky in the morning looked promising, and we hoped the hike to Bourgeau Lake and Harvey Pass would be the best way how to say goodbye to stunning Banff National Park.
We've already seen shining stars such as Moraine Lake or Lake Louise, drove along iconic Icefields Parkway, and we felt that it was time to explore the real wilderness, and off the beaten path that is often overlooked by international travelers, a trail where we can reconnect with nature and meet more locals.
And of course, we were still eager to get beautiful views, this is something we never get tired of, and we had a hunch that the Bourgeau Lake hike might be exactly what we were looking for.
We'll talk more closely about this trek in this post, but now is the right time to say that we certainly were not disappointed.
We've put together this Bourgeau Lake and Harvey Pass hiking guide for all avid hikers, and we share everything you need to know for planning a successful day hike.
From how to find the trailhead, how to stay safe, where to stay, or what you can expect from the trail, we've got you covered.
LENGTH AND ELEVATION GAIN
Trek to Bourgeau Lake and Harvey Pass is considered moderate to difficult, depending on your level of fitness.
The distance to the pass from the highway is 10 kilometers with an elevation gain of approximately 1075 meters.
It is not exactly an easy trail, but we would say the hike at least to Bourgeau Lake is doable for all averagely fit travelers, and then you can decide if you want to extend the day and carry on.
It takes longer to get above the tree line (understand it is not that rewarding from the very beginning as other hikes in the Rockies).
Thanks to this fact, the length and the incline, you can be sure the number of tourists will drop significantly compared to the other attractions in Banff National Park.
We are not saying it is completely abandoned, but if you are tired of places such as Johnston Canyon and looking for not that notoriously known activity near Banff or Lake Louise (some people even come to do this hike on a day trip from Calgary), Bourgeau Lake and Harvey Pass Hike is an excellent choice to enjoy peaceful outdoor adventure.
Harvey Pass hike is 20.5 km long and should take 6-8 hours. If you decide to hike only to Bourgeau Lake and here turn around, your day will be approximately 5 kilometers and an hour and a half or two hours shorter.
Bourgeau Lake sits at an altitude of 2160 meters above sea level, while the Harvey Pass is about 2600 meters high.
TRAILHEAD
The trailhead to Bourgeau Lake & Harvey Pass starts on the small parking lot just off Trans-Canada Highway, approximately 13 km west from Banff.
The parking lot is quite small, and even though this hike is for sure not that popular, like the Plain of Six Glaciers hike near Lake Louise, try to arrive early to find a space for your car.
HOW TO GET THERE
Getting to the trailhead is pretty straightforward, but it requires a car.
We traveled in the Canadian Rockies a few times already, always in a rental car, and cannot imagine a better way to explore this beautiful part of Canada.
Renting a car in Canada is super easy, and the rates are not that bad, especially if you travel in a group.
Unfortunately, there's no public transport at the moment.
In case you do not have a car, your only other option is to hire a cab in Banff.
Then, either agree with the driver at what time he should pick you up or if you want to be more flexible, ask for the phone number and call once you will be getting nearer parking lot.
This will be quite expensive, though.
BOURGEAU LAKE TRAIL
Once you park your car, make sure you have everything packed for the day and you're ready to set off.
From the parking lot, you must first walk through a wildlife gate and close the door behind you, which gave us an uneasy feeling of being trapped behind the fence with all those friendly animals.
From the very beginning, the path steadily climbs through the forest, and even though the scent of the trees and birds singing creates a great atmosphere, the walk itself is a bit boring (for approximately 3 kilometers), with only a few scattered views across the treetops.
You'll cross Wolverine Creek several times on the way, and eventually, you'll reach the waterfall created by the creek.
From this point, the path steepens again, but the point of interest is not that far, so keep going. Believe us that once you leave this part of the hike behind, you'll be grateful you didn't give up. When you get to a flat plateau surrounded by bushes, it is clear that you made it.
It won't take long, and dark blue-green Bourgeau Lake emerges from the forest.
The lake is surrounded by a steep rounded rock wall that was once shaped by snow and ice.
For many, Bourgeau Lake is a great lunch spot after a challenging nonstop uphill climb. Lake's deep and mysterious color creates a beautiful contrast with the massive rock wall behind it, and we could have sat there for long, but as we still had enough energy, we wanted to continue further.
Once you reached the lake, it would be a shame not to carry on a little bit further to Harvey Pass. Of course, if you feel you reached your limit, it is worth it to turn around and walk back to your car; safety is always more important than a photo!
HARVEY PASS HIKE
The trail from Bourgeau Lake to Harvey Pass is even steeper than the part from the parking lot to the lake, and after a few hundred meters, it gets rocky, which makes the climb more challenging, but it is perfectly doable for any moderately fit person.
Stay on the trail and keep going; this section is not that long. When you pass the small unnamed lake, you are almost there.
The views from the trail open up, and you'll find yourself on a meadow with the second small unnamed lake on your right.
Only a few hundred meters ahead is Harvey Lake, and when you continue from here for another 500 meters, you'll reach Harvey Pass with incredible vistas of Mt. Assiniboine on the South Horizon, Sunshine Ski Village, and Sunshine Meadows.
If you still have enough energy, you can consider continuing up to the top of Mt. Bourgeau about 400 meters higher, which you will see on your right when facing the viewpoint.
We didn't carry on, though, because dark clouds started rolling over the top of the mountain, so we decided to return by taking the same way down to the parking lot.
The way back leads all the way downhill and takes much less time and effort than the first half.
When you reach the parking lot, you can carry on to Lake Louise, Banff, or Calgary, depending on your itinerary.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
WHERE TO STAY
It depends on your travel itinerary in the Canadian Rockies, but you can spend a night before hiking the Bourgeau Lake trail in either Lake Louise, Banff, or Calgary.
Hotels and hostels are packed in this area both in summer and winter, so make your reservation well in advance.
We've handpicked accommodation in every location so you can focus only on enjoying the beautiful nature around you.
Lake Louise | Fairmont Château Lake Louise - There is not a more iconic hotel in the Rockies than this one standing on the shore of Lake Louise. If you find a room available, grab your chance.
Banff | Canalta Lodge - The cozy lodge close to Banff's center offers beautifully appointed rooms and a great atmosphere.
Calgary | Aloft Calgary University - Well-rated modern hotel near C-train is easily accessible from the city center or when you want to drive to the Canadian Rockies.
WHAT TO PACK
Do not overpack for only a day hike, but remember that weather in the Canadian Rockies is unpredictable and can change quickly, so even when the morning is clear, have layers in your backpack in case the conditions worsen.
Here are a few essentials we recommend packing for this rewarding day hike.
First of all, you should think about your safety. Remember that you are in a bear country.
Close encounters with bears are rare, but we saw quite a lot of them when hiking in the Rockies in the distance, and for your safety, it is better to carry bear spray. It is much cheaper to buy it online than on the spot.
For your comfort, wear broken-in waterproof hiking boots with sturdy soles.
We used trekking poles for the first time years back in Nepal and since then carry them for every longer hike because they help us keep pace, plus our knees feel much better in the evening.
You should have a small daypack with a good back support and waist strap to fit in the water, snack, and extra warm layers such as a fleece jacket, rain jacket, and in case you hike in the colder months, we would also pack down jacket.
Weather in the mountains is unpredictable. We always pack a rain poncho no matter how great the forecast looks like.
There is a stream on the way where you can refill your reusable water bottle, as it is important to stay hydrated.
In case you prefer to purify water, consider purchasing SteriPen or water bottle with integrated filter.
You can read our more detailed all-season Canadian Rockies packing list.
WHEN TO VISIT BANFF NATIONAL PARK
Travelers in the Canadian Rockies can experience four distinctive seasons.
In general, the most popular time for hiking and overall road tripping the area is the summer, from late June till mid-September. This time of the year guarantees higher temperatures (although it can rapidly change), longer days, but also more people on trails.
We think the best time for hiking to Bourgeau Lake is the shoulder season, from September to October. The weather is still more or less stable, and trees change color, creating perfect photo opportunities.
Wintertime can be rough. Temperatures drop, days are short, and trails can be snowbound, which means that hikers must be well-experienced and well-prepared.
We recommend always ask about trail's conditions in the Visitors Center.
Spring is also not perfect for hiking, and similar requirements apply because snow can be on the path till late May, and the trail can be muddy and slippery.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
