Cascade North Fork
Near Banff · Banff National Park
Trail score 61 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality
About this trail
Cascade North Fork is a 41.9 km out and back trail near Banff in Banff National Park. It runs 21.0 km each way. The route gains 1,456 m in total and tops out at 2,428 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard, and Parks Canada rates it difficult. Allow about 14 hours 15 minutes of moving time. It meets North Fork Pass Trail at 3.1 km, and passes one other mapped junction. Along the way you pass a stream crossing. Also used for horseback riding and backpacking.
- Length
- 41.9km
- 21.0 km each way
- Elevation gain
- 1,456m
- Estimated time
- 14h15min
- Moving time
- Route
- Out and back
- Highest point
- 2,428m
- Lowest point
- 1,843m
Elevation profile
1,843 m to 2,428 mHighest point 2,428 m, lowest 1,843 m, 1,456 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 45% over 100 m.
Predicted coverage: 7% of route
7% LTE · 0% 5G
- Longest modelled gap
- 19.4 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
- 2.9 kmStream crossing
Good for
- Hiking, Horseback riding, Backpacking
- Dog friendly (on leash)
- Waterfall, Views, Alpine
Trailhead
The trail starts at 51.4067° N, 115.7679° 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
- North Fork Pass TrailModerate · 6.1 km · 144 m gain · 0.0 km away
- Badger PassHard · 36.3 km · 1,415 m gain · 0.2 km away
- Forty Mile SummitModerate · 27.3 km · 793 m gain · 0.2 km away
- Sawback Creek TrailModerate · 9.2 km · 214 m gain · 0.2 km away
- Cascade River TrailHard · 21.5 km · 495 m gain · 1.5 km away
- Rainbow LakeModerate · 9.0 km · 518 m gain · 3.1 km away
All 588 trails in Banff National Park
Parks Canada trail data, Open Government Licence Canada
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30