A short lake walk
Lake Trail
2 km loop
45 minutes–1 hour · 15 m gain
Follow the shoreline beneath the Three Bears.
Trail details
Lake walks, old-growth forest & alpine trails
Hiking at Island Lake
Find your kind of trail.
Choose a route for your time, fitness, and experience. Check road access and trail conditions before setting out.
Time in the forest
Fir Trail
3 km loop
1–1.5 hours · 15 m gain
Walk through the upper valley’s old-growth trees.
Trail detailsA climb into the alpine
Spineback Trail
7 km return
3–4 hours · 430 m gain
Climb through meadows to the ridge-top benches.
Trail detailsDistances above start at the lodge trail network. Reaching the lodge on foot adds distance when the access road is closed.
Explore the full trail network
- Rail Trail3 km one way · The old railway route through the cedars.
- Cabin Ridge7.22 km return · 827 m elevation gain · A demanding alpine route.
- Fir Trail3 km loop · A walk through the upper valley’s old-growth forest.
- Goat PassAn alpine connection in the Island Lake trail network.
- Goldilocks Trail · Part OneA 9.5 km return hike from the lodge via Spineback, with an alpine loop around Baby Bear.
- Goldilocks Trail · Part TwoThe eastern descent around Baby Bear, part of the 9.5 km lodge-to-lodge Goldilocks hike.
- Heiko’s Trail22 km one way · A full mountain day from Hartley Lake to Island Lake.
- Lake Trail2 km loop · Follow the shore beneath the Three Bears.
- Mount Baldy Loop10.5 km loop · Forest, ridgeline, and valley views.
- Old Growth Trail4 km one way · Cedar, Douglas fir, and spruce on the climb to the lodge.
- Spineback Trail7 km return · Climb through alpine meadows to the Three Bears.
- Tamarack Summit8 km return · Through the larches towards Mount Fernie.
- Tamarack Trail4 km return to the viewpoint · A climb above Cedar Lodge.
- Tamarack Upper Bench TrailContinue into the Tamarack trail network above the lodge.
Explore before you go
3D Hiking & Biking Trail Map
Explore Island Lake and the wider Fernie valley. Choose an area or trail to see its profile and local information.
The valley, in perspective
Find your
summer trail.
Lake walks, alpine routes and Fernie’s wider trail network. Start at Island Lake, then explore the valley.
Explore the 3D mapOpen the 3D Hiking & Biking MapExplore the wider Fernie networkDownload the printed trail guide (PDF)Explore trails around Island Lake Lodge in AllTrails
View the printed map
Go with a local guide
Private guided hikes
Your guide chooses the route for your group and the conditions.
Minimum two people · Book at least 48 hours ahead. Confirm seasonal availability and pricing with our team. Guided hikes require agreement to the summer activity waiver.
Before you go
Summer Safety- Check weather, trail conditions, and road access.
- Prepare for the terrain and stay within your limits.
- Stay on marked trails and watch for other trail users.
- Trails are not monitored; you are responsible for your safety.
Hiking Heiko’s Trail or leaving a vehicle overnight?
Heiko’s Trail is not on Island Lake property and is not maintained by Island Lake. When motorized road access is closed beyond the lower parking lot, allow for an additional 8 km on foot.
If leaving a vehicle on Island Lake property overnight, register with us at least 24 hours before your hike. Call 1-888-422-8754. Read the full route details.
Trail responsibility & guided-hike waiver
Hiking around Island Lake Lodge involves many risks, dangers and hazards. By participating in hiking, you willingly accept all the risks, dangers and hazards and the possibility of injury, death, property damage or loss therefrom. The trails are recreational trails used at no charge within Section 3(3.3)(c) of the Occupiers' Liability Act, and Island Lake Lodge assumes no liability for any activity on the recreational trails. The trails are not monitored, and users are responsible for their own safety.
Before participating in a guided hike, all participants must review and agree to Island Lake Lodge’s Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumption of Risk and Indemnity Agreement. If booking for others, you must tell them about this requirement and the waiver’s terms. Read the waiver carefully.