Barrier Mountain Route
Banff National Park
Trail score 44 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality
About this trail
Barrier Mountain Route is a 15.0 km out and back trail in Banff National Park. It runs 7.5 km each way. The route gains 1,322 m in total and tops out at 2,944 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard. Allow about 9 hours of moving time. It meets Gable Mountain Route at 1.9 km, and passes three other mapped junctions. Between 4.8 km and 6.5 km a 1.8 km alternative with the same name runs beside the route. The distance and climb above follow this route only, not its branches. Along the way you pass the summit of Barrier Mountain.
- Length
- 15.0km
- 7.5 km each way
- Elevation gain
- 1,322m
- Estimated time
- 9h
- Moving time
- Route
- Out and back
- Highest point
- 2,944m
- Lowest point
- 1,759m
Elevation profile
1,759 m to 2,944 mHighest point 2,944 m, lowest 1,759 m, 1,322 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 76% over 100 m.
Predicted coverage: 70% of route
70% LTE · 0% 5G
- Longest modelled gap
- 2.3 km
- Model
- 2024 · Natural Resources Canada
Predicted coverage is not guaranteed. It varies by carrier, terrain, weather, device and network load, and it does not guarantee emergency service.
Along the way
- 7.4 kmBarrier MountainSummit · 2,957 m
Good for
- Hiking
- Dog friendly (on leash)
- Summit, Views, Alpine
Trailhead
The trail starts at 51.6861° N, 115.6978° W.
Banff National Park admission
National park admission required
Pass details
Visitors spending time in a national park need valid daily admission or a Parks Canada Discovery Pass. Admission is separate from camping, reservations, parking and other service fees.
Information checked October 21, 2026.
Before you go
Carry an offline map and plan for no service in backcountry areas. Trails close for wildlife, fire, weather and construction. Check the official sources:
Nearby trails
- Warden Rock West RouteHard · 7.5 km · 959 m gain · 1.2 km away
- Gable Mountain RouteHard · 5.8 km · 1,032 m gain · 1.7 km away
- Red Deer RiverModerate · 3.6 km · 48 m gain · 2.0 km away
- Wapiti Mountain RouteHard · 11.6 km · 1,640 m gain · 2.6 km away
- Well Site MountainModerate · 14.8 km · 955 m gain · 3.9 km away
- Red Deer River NorthEasy · 3.8 km · 31 m gain · 3.9 km away
All 588 trails in Banff National Park
Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30