How to Hike to the Niblet and Nublet in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park
Are you looking to get the most epic view in the Canadian Rockies? Then the hike to the Niblet and Nublet in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park needs to be on your radar. In this guide, we go over everything you need to know about hiking to the Nublet and Niblet, including how to get there, when to go, and what to expect on the trail.
Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park in British Columbia lies in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, providing access to epic mountain views, beautiful alpine lakes, and amazing hiking trails.
Its main claim to fame, and a huge reason why so many people want to visit Mount Assiniboine, is for the hike to the Niblet, Nublet, and Nub, a collection of three successive viewpoints over the core area of Mount Assiniboine. And we’ll admit, it’s the whole reason we made the journey to get here as well!
So, what’s so great about this Mount Assiniboine hike? Well, for starters, the views we got from the Niblet and Nublet hike were hands-down some of the best alpine views we have ever seen. Some even call it the best view in the entire Canadian Rockies, or even in all of British Columbia. No big deal, right? I’m sure that the pictures you’ll see as you read this guide will convince you that this is not at all an exaggeration.
Second, once you get to Mount Assiniboine where the Nublet hike begins, it’s a short half-day hike that’s not overly strenuous, giving it one of the best reward to effort ratios we’ve ever experienced on a trail.
While the overall Niblet/Nublet/Nub hike has three different summits you can climb to, the views are great from all three. Because the hike gets gradually harder to each viewpoint, many choose to stop at the first (the Niblet) or second (the Nublet) viewpoints before turning around, which is perfectly fine as the views from each of these are equally stunning. Many of the photos shown from this famous hike are indeed from these lower viewpoints. We specifically hiked to both the Niblet and Nublet, not quite making it all the way to the Nub, and were more than happy with the insane views we got from each.
In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know so that can see these classic views over Mount Assiniboine, with in depth information on how to hike to the Nublet (and by default, the Niblet, too, since it’s on the way to the Nublet!). We’ll talk about what you can expect on the Nublet hike, different hiking routes, where to stay near the Nublet, when to go, what to bring, and more!
Are you ready to hike to the Nublet in Mount Assiniboine? Let’s get to it!
In this guide to the Nublet hike in Mount Assiniboine:
Where is the Nublet Hike?
Epic views of Mount Assiniboine from the Nublet hike!
The hike to the Nublet is found in the heart of Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, a beautiful alpine park located in the Canadian Rockies of British Columbia, but bordering the more famous and popular Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada.
The core region of Mount Assiniboine is the area surrounding Lake Magog, a beautiful lake that sits at the base of Mount Assiniboine itself. In this area are a collection of day hikes that bring you through meadows, by alpine lakes, and to mountain vistas, the most famous of which is the hike to the Nublet.
The Nublet hike is part of a larger hike leading up to the Nub, a prominent peak in the Lake Magog area of Mount Assiniboine. Three successive viewpoints, or peaks, along this trail (of which the Nublet is the second) showcase breathtaking views over the core region of Mount Assiniboine. From each viewpoint, you can see Mount Assiniboine and Sunburst Peak, as well as Lake Magog, and Sunburst, Cerulean, and Elizabeth Lakes.
The three viewpoints, or peaks, in the order you would hike to them are:
The Niblet: 2,390 m (7,840 feet) in elevation
The Nublet: 2,530 m (8,300 feet) in elevation
The Nub: 2,743 m (9,000 feet) in elevation
The view over the Niblet, Nublet and Nub from Wonder Pass
The hike to each of these peaks gets progressively harder. The hike to the Niblet is a fairly easy and quick climb up a well-maintained trail. The hike to the Nublet is a little bit more rugged, as it climbs a steep herd path through loose rock to get to the summit. Finally, the hike to the Nub is the most challenging. From the Nublet, the trail continues along a narrow rocky ridge, and there is some light scrambling required to get to the summit of the Nub.
The great thing about this Mount Assiniboine hike is that the views from all three summits are absolutely gorgeous. In fact, many people say that the views from the Niblet, the very first viewpoint, are the best of the entire hike. On the Niblet, you’ll find dramatic and in-your-face views of Mount Assiniboine and Sunburst Peak, with already expansive views over each of the alpine lakes below. The Nublet gives you a higher vantage point of nearly the same view, but with a cool view back down the trail and over the Niblet itself. From the Nub, you’re a little bit further away from the in-your-face view of Mount Assiniboine and Lake Magog, but you get more 360-degree views of Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park and the surrounding mountains.
Many people choose to hike to the Niblet or the Nublet only and not continue onto the Nub. It’s a great option because you can get all the amazing views for much less effort! This is exactly what we did. Our original plan was to hike all the way to the Nub, but bad weather forced us to squeeze all of our Mount Assiniboine day hikes into just one day, and we just didn’t have the time for the Nub. But we’re actually happy it worked out that way, and our hike to the Nublet in Mount Assiniboine turned out to be one of our all-time favorites, with a very high reward to effort ratio.
Should I hike the Niblet or the Nublet?
If you’re asking yourself whether you should hike to the Niblet or Nublet, then this guide will help you! If you hike to the Nublet, you’ll get to see the Niblet by default because it’s right on the way to the Nublet. But if you decide to stop at the Niblet itself, you won’t be disappointed! This Nublet hiking guide will show the hike to both the Niblet and Nublet to help you decide how far you want to go.
Of note, many people consider the Niblet to have the best views of the three peaks. While they are great, our favorite views were further along the trail…not necessarily from the top of the Nublet, but from the trail to get there. From the ridge hike just below the summit of the Nublet, the views are breathtaking back down over the trail, the Niblet, and out over the lakes and mountains.
You’ll see what we mean when we talk about our experience on the Nublet hike, but for now, this is our consensus on whether to hike the Niblet or the Nublet: If you have the time and energy, we suggest hiking at least partly up the trail to the Nublet, even if you don’t think you’ll make it the whole way to the top. Getting just halfway there will give you epic and breathtaking views that were, to us, just slightly more rugged and epic than those from the Niblet alone.
Hiking down from the Nublet, with the path to the Niblet ahead
How to Get to the Nublet in Mount Assiniboine
The start of the Nublet hike is near Lake Magog in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park. So, how do you get to Lake Magog?
Well, that’s a bit more complicated. There are no roads into Mount Assiniboine, leaving you with two options for getting to the park. One is easy but expensive, and one is more budget-friendly, but much much harder…
The easy option is to take a helicopter into Mount Assiniboine. This 10- minute scenic helicopter ride leaves from either Canmore or from the Mount Shark helipad in Spray Lakes Provincial Park. It’s a quick way to get to Lake Magog, but it will cost $215-$245 CAD for a one-way trip, depending on which flight you take.
The more difficult option for getting to Mount Assiniboine is to hike in. Often, this takes the form of a multiday backpacking trip from one of two trailheads. You can hike the 30 km route from Sunshine Village in Banff National Park to Mount Assiniboine, or the 27 km route from the Mount Shark trailhead in Spray Lakes Provincial Park. Either option is a stunning and rewarding way to experience the park, but the routes can be challenging.
Hiking into Mount Assiniboine from Sunshine Village
We go over all the ways to get to Mount Assiniboine in much more detail in our comprehensive guide to visiting Mount Assiniboine, so be sure to check that out as you’re planning your hike to the Nublet!
Once in Mount Assiniboine, you can start the Nublet hike from one of two places depending on where you’re staying- the Assiniboine Lodge or the Lake Magog Campground. So let’s first talk about these accommodation options near Lake Magog…
Where to Stay Near the Nublet Hike in Mount Assiniboine
There are a few different places to stay near the Nublet hike in the Lake Magog area, ranging from super expensive to budget-friendly.
Lake Magog Campground
Our tent in the Lake Magog Campground near the Nublet hike
If you want to camp near the Nublet hike, then set your sights on the Lake Magog Campground. This highly coveted camping spot sits right next to Lake Magog in the core area of Mount Assiniboine, giving front-door access to all the amazing Mount Assiniboine hikes, including the Niblet and Nublet trails.
This 40-site campground has great views throughout, along with two semi-enclosed cooking shelters, bear boxes, grey water pits, and vault toilets.
Reservations for Lake Magog Campground are required for most of the summer months, so be sure to check our Assiniboine Guide for more information on how to get reservations and helpful tips for securing a spot at this popular campground!
Og Lake Campground
Og Lake near Mount Assiniboine and the Nublet hike
If you couldn’t score a site at Lake Magog, then the Og Lake Campground is the next best option if you want to camp near the Nublet. This campground sits just over 5 km from Lake Magog, but the trail between the two is pretty flat and easy (and the views from the trail aren’t bad either!).
This 10- site campground sits in a meadow on the north end of the lake with beautiful views out to Mount Assiniboine on a clear day.
This campsite is particularly convenient for those hiking into Mount Assiniboine from Sunshine Village in Banff, as it is right along the trail. If you’re flying into Mount Assiniboine, or hiking in from Mount Shark, getting to Og Lake Campground will require the extra bit of hiking to get there.
The Nublet can be done as a day hike from Og Lake Campground, it will just be a bit longer because you’ll have to add that extra roundtrip hiking distance between Og Lake and Lake Magog at the beginning and end of your Nublet hike.
The Assiniboine Lodge
Assiniboine Lodge cabins found near the Nublet hike in Mount Assiniboine
The Assiniboine Lodge is a luxurious backcountry accommodation option near the Nublet hike. This lodge provides a warm bed, hot showers, and meals to its guests. The catch? A two-night minimum stay is required that can cost you close to $1000 CAD per person. It’s quite expensive, but it’s a once in a lifetime experience and one that will keep you comfortable in a place where weather can be bitter cold and unpredictable.
The Naiset Huts
The Naiset Huts are a good intermediate between camping and the Assiniboine Lodge. These huts are found near the Lodge and provide dorm-style bunk beds for 5- 8 people. You’ll have to bring everything short of a tent, including sleeping bags, meals, and cookware, but you’ll have the warmth and safety of four walls and a roof over your head.
The Naiset Huts are about 0.6 km from the Lodge, and then from the Lodge you can continue onto the Nublet hike.
Different Hiking Routes to the Nublet in Mount Assiniboine
Now that you’re better oriented to the Lake Magog area, let’s talk about the different hiking routes to the Nublet. You can start the Nublet hike from either the Assiniboine Lodge or from the Lake Magog Campground, or you can combine the two routes to make a beautiful loop hike.
Hiking the Nublet from Assiniboine Lodge
Roundtrip distance: 6.4 km (4.0 miles)
Time needed: 3 hours
The hike to the Nublet from the Assiniboine Lodge is a gradual climb through forest that spills you out at the Niblet viewpoint before continuing up to the Nublet.
Note: If you want to just hike the Niblet, your hiking stats will be 5 km (3.2 miles) and about 200 meters) 700 feet of climbing from the Assiniboine Lodge.
Shortly after you leave Assiniboine Lodge, you’ll come to this junction that will lead you up to the Niblet and Nublet. The Nublet is the prominent peak in the picture above.
Hiking the Nublet from Lake Magog Campground
Roundtrip distance: 6.9 km (4.3 miles)
Time needed: 3 hours
We think that the trail from Lake Magog Campground is the best way to hike to the Nublet, and is the route we describe in detail later on in this guide.
Though it’s a steeper approach to reach the Niblet from here, the hike starts off by walking an easy and scenic path by both Sunburst and Cerulean Lakes. These beautifully blue alpine lakes are a worthy enough destination on their own, and often hikers will head to these lakes to relax and enjoy the views since the hike to them is fairly flat, quick, and easy from the Lake Magog Campground. Getting to enjoy these lakes along the way makes the hike to the Nublet that much better!
Hiking by Cerulean Lake on the Nublet hike
Hiking the Nublet as a loop trail
Hiking distance: 8.4 km (5.2 miles)
Time needed: 3.5-4 hours
For a really great day out on the trails, combine both trails above into an epic loop hike to the Nublet! The trail that connects the Assiniboine Lodge to Lake Magog Campground is an easy and flat but incredibly scenic trail that will give frequent views over Lake Magog and Mount Assiniboine.
If you’re going to do the loop hike to the Nublet, we would recommend hiking in a clockwise direction (this was recommended to us by one of the Assiniboine Lodge staff!). This is because the hike to the Nublet from Sunburst and Cerulean Lakes is much steeper, while the hike from the Assiniboine Lodge side is more gradual, and it’s often better to hike up the steep stuff in order to save your legs on the way down.
However, if you want to end your hike to the Nublet with a relaxing break at some alpine lakes, then hiking the loop counter-clockwise would be your best bet.
The Niblet and Nublet trail map
Here is a trail map of Mount Assiniboine taken from the Assiniboine Lodge. On this map, we’ve highlighted the different hikes to the Niblet, Nublet, and Nub to better orient you to your different route options.
This map was taken from the Assiniboine Lodge site, but we have highlighted the trails to the Nublet. The red trail represents the hike from Lake Magog Campground to the Nublet, the blue trail represents the hike from Assiniboine Lodge to the Nublet, and the purple trail is the trail connecting the Lodge to the Campground to make this a loop hike. The green trail represents the hike to the Nublet from the Niblet, and then beyond to the Nub.
How Long is the Nublet Hike in Mount Assiniboine?
Views from the Niblet
Views from the Nublet
Based on the route options above, the hike to the Nublet is somewhere around 4-5 miles depending on which route you take.
We personally did an out-and-back hike to the Nublet from the Lake Magog Campground. We started up in the clockwise direction, going by Sunburst and Cerulean Lakes, and intended to do the full loop, but we simply ran out of time and energy and wanted to take the most direct route back to camp. We were happy we did because getting to spend some time by Sunburst and Cerulean Lakes again in the evening when the lakes were still and the mountains were reflecting was a great way to end the hike.
Here are our personal hiking stats from hiking the Nublet via Sunburst and Cerulean Lakes:
Roundtrip Distance: 8.4 km (5.2 miles)
Elevation gain: 450 meters (1,476 feet)
Time: 3.5 hours (this mostly includes moving time, but in reality, we were on the trail much longer enjoying the views, so be sure to pad in some time for that. Allocating a half day for the Nublet hike is a reasonable suggestion.)
*Our personal hiking distance is a bit longer than what we quoted above under the section about different hiking routes because we spent a bit of time wandering around each viewpoint and taking in all the views!
Elevation profile of the Nublet hike:
Our elevation profile of the Nublet hike. On our hike, we climbed to the Nublet first before hiking back down and checking out the Niblet, and this elevation profile reflects this.
A satellite view of our hike to the Nublet in Mount Assiniboine
How Hard is the Nublet Hike in Mount Assiniboine?
The hikes to the Niblet, Nublet, and Nub each get successively harder. The hike to the Niblet is pretty easy, straightforward, and quick from either side. The trails to the Niblet are well-established and there is nothing technical about them. The view from the Niblet is actually an incredible reward for such a low-effort trail!
The hike from the Niblet to the Nublet has a bit more to it. The trail to the Nublet becomes much steeper, and navigates through rock and sometimes slick and loose dirt or scree as it climbs. There was just one or two points where a teeny bit of scrambling was needed, but it was nothing difficult, exposed, or intimidating. So, overall, we’d say the hike to the Nublet is moderate. It’s just a steady push to the top.
The steep and rocky trail to the Nublet in Mount Assiniboine
On fresh legs, the hike really isn’t bad. For us, we spent the few previous days hiking into Mount Assiniboine from Sunshine Meadows, and then earlier that morning we had hiked to Wonder Pass and Wonder Pass Viewpoint and back, so by the time we hiked the Nublet, we were already pretty exhausted and it made the Nublet hike feel more strenuous to us that it probably actually is. So keep that in mind if you decide to backpack into the park!
If you continue from the Nublet to the Nub, the hike gets a bit harder. A rocky ridge connects the Nublet to the base of the Nub. The ridge can often be windy, and the climb to the Nub from there requires a little bit more light scrambling through a less well-defined path. Plus, it involves another roughly 213 meters (700 feet) of climbing over the course of 1.6 m (one mile) between the Nublet and Nub. You can check out more details on the Nub hike on AllTrails.
The Nublet Hike in Mount Assiniboine: Trail Description and Our Experience
Hiking the Nublet is hands-down one of our favorite experiences in the Canadian Rockies. The views over Mount Assiniboine from both the Niblet and Nublet are unmatched and made the journey into Mount Assiniboine totally worth it.
Here we want to share with you our experience hiking to the Nublet so you can see what the hike entails, and also help you decide whether the Niblet or Nublet is your goal.
We’ll describe our hike to the Nublet as an out-and-back trip from the Lake Magog Campground, but the section between the Niblet and Nublet is the same no matter which trail to the Nublet you take.
Lake Magog Campground to Sunburst and Cerulean Lakes
The hike to the Nublet starts from the Lake Magog Campground. Just past the entrance sign into the campground will be a well-signed junction that points to Sunburst and Cerulean Lakes to the right. Keep following this trail past tent pads and bear boxes until you leave the campground and are on your way to the lakes.
The start of the Nublet hike begins through the Lake Magog Campground. Junctions are well-signed, so it will be easy to navigate and find your way.
The first part of the Nublet hike is very easy and quick through sparse forest and occasional views behind you back toward Mount Assiniboine. There’s a very gentle incline here and before you know it, you’ll find yourself at Sunburst Lake.
The easy hiking trail from Lake Magog Campground to Sunburst Lake
Views of Mount Assiniboine from the trail to Sunburst Lake
Sunburst Lake is at first tucked behind a border of trees. The main trail follows a more wooded path around the lake, but various herd paths bring you right to the shore of Sunburst Lake where you can hike around it that way as well.
The initial views from the shore of Sunburst Lake are amazing, as Sunburst Peak starkly rises above the lake right beside you. This is the peak that dominates the view from the Niblet and Nublet.
The view of Sunburst Peak from the shore of Sunburst Lake
However, the best views come from the other side of the lake. Here, you’ll find a small historical cabin with picturesque views back towards Mount Assiniboine. Keep going and you’ll find several small clearings that offer incredible views over the lake and out to both Sunburst Peak and Mount Assiniboine. In the sunlight, the water glows a beautiful turquoise blue.
Views after hiking around to the other side of Sunburst Lake, with Mount Assiniboine in view
The sun lighting up Sunburst Lake
Once you’re done admiring the views over Sunburst Lake, continue along the trail. After a fast and flat walk through more sparse forest, you’ll empty out onto the shore of Cerulean Lake. At first, this lake doesn’t look like anything much, but keep following the trail to get further along the shore, and when you look back, the view of Sunburst Peak dominates.
Walking along the shore of Cerulean Lake on the hike to the Nublet
The Niblet hike
As you continue around Cerulean Lake, you’ll come to your next junction. Take the trail that heads away from the lake to continue the hike to the Niblet and Nublet. From here, the trail begins climbing moderately and consistently through the woods until you arrive at the next junction. You can continue straight here to take a small detour to a third alpine lake (Elizabeth Lake) but the hike to the Niblet continues up the switchback.
The junction near Cerulean Lake. Head right here away from the lake.
Looking back on the trail from Cerulean Lake heading up to the Niblet and Nublet
This is the junction to Elizabeth Lake. Take the switchback to continue the hike to the Nublet.
From here, the trail to the Niblet continues its steady and moderately steep climb through the forest along a series of switchbacks. Through here, you’ll hike through sparse forest, with occasional views as you climb higher back out over Sunburst Peak and Mount Assiniboine. It’s a nice preview of what’s to come!
Climbing the switchbacks on the hike to the Niblet
The last switchback of this climb enters the rocky alpine territory of the Niblet and Nublet and before you know it, it spills you out onto a small exposed plateau that sits between the Niblet and the base of the Nublet. Just from here, you’re already getting those postcard-worthy pictures over Mount Assiniboine.
Finishing the last switchback to the Niblet
The views opening up behind as the trail crests onto the Niblet
Even though you aren’t quite yet at the Niblet, the views are already stunning!
From here, you can see the trail stretching out across the plateau as it heads to the Niblet viewpoint. It’s a quick and easy walk to the edge of this plateau, where you get absolutely stunning and in-your-face views of Mount Assiniboine and the lakes below. Many people consider this the best view of the entire Niblet/Nublet/Nub hike, and it’s hard to argue with that (though we think the absolute best view is further on in this hike, so keep reading!). We stayed here for a bit, making sure to take pictures from every angle imaginable.
Hiking to the Niblet viewpoint
Kevin on the Niblet, looking out over Mount Assiniboine, Lake Magog, and Sunburst Lake
Views from the Niblet in Mount Assiniboine!
From the Niblet viewpoint, retrace your steps back towards the junction you arrived on to start your hike to the Nublet.
The Nublet hike
From the base of the Nublet, the Nublet hike looks quite intimidating. It looks high, steep, rocky and tiring, and it was indeed all of the above! But, we knew what we had to do and just started our way up.
A look back up at the Nublet from the Niblet
The terrain of the Nublet hike is pretty consistent the whole way. It’s steep, involving navigation through rocky terrain, shale, and sometimes slick dirt and scree. There was a pretty clear herd path to follow, though, so it should be easy to stay on course. There was really only one or two sections along this part of the Nublet hike that required very brief scrambling, using your hands to navigate up some small rocky features, but other than that, it’s really just a steep, rocky, nontechnical push to the summit.
Starting the hike up the Nublet
Kevin hiking up the steep rocky path to the Nublet
The paths on the Nublet hike are pretty well-worn through the rock and shale
Throughout the climb, it was quite windy and cold, so be sure to bring layers, a hat and gloves for your hike to the Nublet.
The only other key thing to mention about the Nublet hike is that…the higher you go, the more epic the views get! About halfway up the Nublet is where the views really started leaving us speechless. Behind you, the ridge you’re climbing as well as the path to the Niblet is sprawled out in front of an epic backdrop of three alpine lakes, Mount Assiniboine, Sunburst Peak, and the surrounding mountain ranges. For us, this section of trail about midway up the Nublet to just below the summit were the most amazing views of the entire Nublet hike. I seriously couldn’t stop turning around in awe at the view materializing behind us. It felt almost surreal to be looking at a view I had only seen in pictures and dreamed about seeing in real life for years. And I will tell you that the pictures do not lie, and no matter how many times you’ve seen them, the real thing will not disappoint or be underwhelming at all.
The views open up as you head higher on the Nublet hike! In the distance, you can see the trail to the Niblet on the plateau below.
Looking down the trail to the Nublet as the views get more expansive
Amazing views from the Nublet hike!
Towards the very top of the Nublet hike, the terrain starts becoming less rocky as it crests out onto a big flat plateau marked by a large rock cairn. You’ve made it to the Nublet! Here, the trail runs right across the middle of the plateau, so you can’t really see the lakes and full view unless you walk to the edge of the plateau. The views here are great, but we still don’t think they compare to the views you already got from the climb up and back along the ridge. The other side of the plateau has a steep drop off with views over the Og Lake valley and surrounding mountains. From here, you also get great views back down to Assiniboine Lodge and out to Wonder Pass, which doesn’t look like anything much from way up here!
A rock cairn marking the summit of the Nublet
Views from the Nublet summit
The expansive view from the Nublet, looking out over Lake Magog, Sunburst Lake, and Cerulean Lake
A view off the backside of the Nublet
A view of Lake Magog, the Assiniboine Lodge (the tiny red roofs on the left) and Wonder Pass from the Nublet
From the Nublet, you can also see the intimidating path up to the Nub straight ahead. After almost three full days on the trail from hiking in to Mount Assiniboine and hiking to Wonder Pass, we just didn’t have it in us to make that extra climb, but we were more than okay with the views we got from the Nublet hike!
Looking up at the Nub from the Nublet’s summit
We stayed on the Nublet summit for about 45 minutes, eating snacks and enjoying the amazing views completely to ourselves. I think something that made this hike and the views that much more meaningful to us was that we endured a previous two days of hiking in constant rain, sleet, and even hail which crumpled our spirits pretty badly. But Mount Assiniboine cleared at just the right time for us to be able to see these amazing views and we felt so lucky!
Eventually, the cold and wind got to us, and we had to begin making our way down.
The return hike from the Nublet to Lake Magog
We began the hike back from the Nublet to Lake Magog the same way we came up. Hiking down the ridge below the Nublet was my favorite part of the entire Nublet hike! Like I said before, this part of the trail had our favorite views, but now that we were hiking down, the views were sprawled out in front of us the entire time. You’ll just get non-stop unobstructed postcard-worthy views straight down the ridge, out to the Niblet, and over Mount Assiniboine and the alpine lakes. Approximately every two steps I found myself saying “Wow!” and taking five more pictures. I was so distracted by the epic views and taking pictures that I completely forgot about the exhaustion and pain in my feet that had accumulated from days of backpacking and hiking. All we can say is that the Nublet hike and this whole area is definitely worth the hype.
Hiking down from the Nublet gave us our favorite views of the whole hike!
Overlooking Cerulean Lake and Sunburst Peak near the bottom of the Nublet hike
At the base of the Nublet, we took the trail down to Cerulean and Sunburst Lakes. As the evening set in, the lakes were very still and we got some awesome evening reflections.
Heading back down the trail to Cerulean and Sunburst Lakes
Cerulean Lake
Mountain reflections in Sunburst Lake
Hiking the Nublet as a loop: Magog Lake Campground to Assiniboine Lodge
If you want to hike the Nublet as a loop trail, instead of hiking back down to Cerulean and Sunburst Lakes, you’ll take the opposite trail from the Niblet back towards Assiniboine Lodge. This trail is a gradual and easy descent through the forest.
From the base of this trail, you’ll have to hike between Lake Magog Campground and the Assiniboine Lodge. This adds an extra 2 km (1.2 miles) but it’s an easy and flat hike and very scenic. On this hike, you’ll get several views of Lake Magog and Mount Assiniboine (if hiking the loop clockwise, these views will be in front of you the whole time).
Views from the trail between Assiniboine Lodge and Lake Magog Campground, which you’ll get if you hike the Nublet as a loop!
Best Time to Hike the Nublet in Mount Assiniboine
Views from the Nublet hike
The best time to visit Mount Assiniboine in general is between July and early September.
July and August will have the warmest temperatures, with an average of about 70 degrees Fahrenehit during the day and dropping to the 50s at night. By early September, the temperatures drop significantly (by about 20 degrees), which means nights can dip into freezing temperatures. We visited Mount Assiniboine in the first week of September, and we were already waking up to frost on our tent.
Many people like to visit Mount Assiniboine in late September when the larches change colors (there are tons of larches out here, especially around Wonder Pass!). However, coming this late risks the possibility of snow, so make sure to check the forecasts and bring proper cold weather and winter hiking gear.
In terms of time of day, many people love to hike the Niblet and Nublet around sunrise, as the morning light from these viewpoints is pretty epic. However, hiking the Nublet any time of day is great. We hiked later in the day, as we were waiting for the clouds to disappear around Mount Assiniboine and I will say that starting the hike this late had its benefits- there were hardly any people around! When we arrived at the summit of the Nublet just before 5 pm, we had the entire view to ourselves the whole time (about 45 minutes) and had most of the hike up and down to ourselves as well. For such a famous and popular area, the trails out here were blissfully quiet!
What to Bring on the Nublet Hike
For the Nublet hike, some things we would specifically recommend having are:
Bear spray: Mount Assiniboine is home to Grizzlies, so if you do any hiking in this area, make sure to carry bear spray with you, keep it somewhere accessible, and know how to use it as a last resort.
Layers: We experienced a lot of wind and cool temperatures on the Niblet and Nublet hike. Make sure to bring warm layers, a hat, and gloves.
Sun protection: Sunscreen and a hat would be great to have, as the entire hike from the Niblet to the Nublet is completely exposed to the sun.
Hiking boots: This might go without saying, but make sure to have hiking-specific shoes or boots for this trail as it gets rocky and slick on the ridge trail to the Nublet.
Trekking poles: These could come in handy, as the trail down from the Nublet is slick and rocky in places, so these can help save the knees!
Snacks and water: Make sure you’ve packed in a water filter to Mount Assiniboine if you’re camping or staying in the Naiset Huts. You’ll have to filter water from the lakes, or even from the taps found at the campground or outside the Lodge.
For tons more information on what to bring and how to prepare for a trip to Mount Assiniboine, make sure to read our complete guide to visiting Mount Assiniboine!
More Guides for Mount Assiniboine and the Canadian Rockies
Looking for more information for your trip to Mount Assiniboine? Check out our other guides that are jam-packed with helpful tips and tricks for visiting this amazing park.
ULTIMATE GUIDE TO VISITING MOUNT ASSINIBOINE: Learn everything you need to know about visiting Mount Assiniboine, from how to get there, where to stay, how to make important reservations, best places to see in the park, and more!
HOW TO HIKE FROM SUNSHINE VILLAGE TO MOUNT ASSINIBOINE: Want to backpack into Mount Assiniboine? Learn all about the hike into Mount Assiniboine from Sunshine Village in Banff National Park.
Looking for more things to do near Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park? We’re making a ton of guides to help you plan a trip through the Canadian Rockies:
HOW TO HIKE TENT RIDGE: Learn all about our favorite hike in Kananaskis!
EASY CANADIAN ROCKIES HIKES: Check out the easy hike to Boom Lake in Banff National Park, or hike the short and easy trail to Wapta Falls in Yoho National Park.
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK OF CANADA: The Hermit Trail and the Glacier Crest Trail are two challenging and steep trails that lead to epic views over glaciers and jagged peaks and are just a few hours from Banff.
MOUNT REVELSTOKE: The Eva and Miller Lakes hike is the best hike in Mount Revelstoke National Park, showcasing alpine meadows and two beautiful alpine lakes.
We hope this guide gives you a good idea of what it’s like to hike to the Nublet in Mount Assiniboine! Let us know if you have any questions and what you thought about the Niblet and Nublet hike!