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Cotton Grass Pass

Banff National Park

Moderate · Out and back · Official trail

Trail score 45 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

2 km Open the map

About this trail

Cotton Grass Pass is a 10.3 km out and back trail in Banff National Park. It runs 5.1 km each way. The route gains 151 m in total and tops out at 2,194 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate, and Parks Canada rates it moderate. Allow about 3 hours of moving time. It meets Skoki Mountain Route at 2.2 km and Oyster Peak Route at 3.6 km, and passes two other mapped junctions. At 4.3 km the trail forks. This route keeps left; the right fork is a 0.7 km side branch with the same name. The distance and climb above follow this route only, not its branches. Also used for trail running and horseback riding.

Length
10.3km
5.1 km each way
Elevation gain
151m
Estimated time
3h
Moving time
Route
Out and back
Highest point
2,194m
Lowest point
2,100m

Elevation profile

2,100 m to 2,194 m
2,1942,100 0 km5.1 km

Highest point 2,194 m, lowest 2,100 m, 151 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 21% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 0% of route

0% LTE · 0% 5G

Longest modelled gap
5.1 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.

Good for

  • Hiking, Trail running, Horseback riding
  • Dog friendly (on leash)
  • Views, Alpine

Trailhead

The trail starts at 51.5327° N, 116.0440° W.

Driving directions

Banff National Park admission

National park admission required

Buy day or annual pass

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.

Official details

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

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