Clearwater River
Banff National Park
Trail score 67 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality
About this trail
Clearwater River is a 57.6 km out and back trail in Banff National Park. It runs 28.8 km each way. The route gains 1,228 m in total and tops out at 2,344 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard, and Parks Canada rates it difficult. Allow about 17 hours 45 minutes of moving time. It meets Mount Willingdon Route at 26.0 km, and passes one other mapped junction. Along the way you pass Martin Lake and Clearwater Lake and a stream crossing. Also used for horseback riding and backpacking.
- Length
- 57.6km
- 28.8 km each way
- Elevation gain
- 1,228m
- Estimated time
- 17h45min
- Moving time
- Route
- Out and back
- Highest point
- 2,344m
- Lowest point
- 1,770m
Elevation profile
1,770 m to 2,344 mHighest point 2,344 m, lowest 1,770 m, 1,228 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 38% over 100 m.
Predicted coverage: 0% of route
0% LTE · 0% 5G
- Longest modelled gap
- 28.8 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
- 9.8 kmStream crossing
- 11.4 kmStream crossing
- 12.1 kmStream crossing
- 12.1 kmMartin LakeLake
- 14.8 kmClearwater LakeLake
- 16.3 kmStream crossing
- 20.1 kmStream crossing
- 23.9 kmStream crossing
- 26.0 kmStream crossing
Good for
- Hiking, Horseback riding, Backpacking
- Dog friendly (on leash)
- Lake, Views, River or creek, Alpine
Trailhead
The trail starts at 51.8483° N, 115.9891° 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
- Peter's CreekHard · 29.3 km · 857 m gain · 0.8 km away
- Headwaters TrailHard · 20.3 km · 890 m gain · 1.0 km away
- Indianhead CreekHard · 24.5 km · 797 m gain · 1.7 km away
- Condor CreekHard · 1.1 km · 111 m gain · 4.3 km away
- Shale PassHard · 1.8 km · 209 m gain · 10.7 km away
- Lost Guide Lake TrailHard · 31.7 km · 1,026 m gain · 12.1 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