Floe Lake in British Columbia 2025
Cobalt lake lying at the foot of the picturesque mountains
Best time: mid-July–September
Picturesque Floe Lake is settled in Kootenay National Park, British Columbia. Surrounded by glaciers, towering cliffs, and alpine forest, it is one of the most beautiful spots in the Canadian Rockies, only accessible by hiking trails. The Floe Lake Trail starts at a trail head on highway 93 in Kootenay National Park, about 32 km (20 mi) west of the Castle Junction.
The Floe Lake Trail is 19.3 kilometer (12 mi) long, with 959 m (3,146 ft) of elevation gain. It is lightly trafficked and rated as moderate. For multi-day hikers, there is a campground at the Floe Lake, so you can witness a sunrise or a sunset at the lake. The first part of the trail is relatively flat and easy but the last quarter of the hike features a 30% uphill climb. Like most Rockies hikes, the best time to hike the Floe Lake Trail is from mid-July to September (sometimes early October). You can check current trail conditions of the Parks Canada website.
