Hike Alberta
Crystal Ridge 500 m N
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Crystal Ridge Route

Banff National Park

Expert · Loop

Trail score 61 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

Crystal Ridge 500 m Open the map

About this trail

Crystal Ridge Route is a 2.9 km loop trail in Banff National Park. The route gains 383 m in total and tops out at 2,585 m. Hike Alberta rates it expert. Allow about 3 hours of moving time. It meets Crystal Ridge North Route at 1.4 km. Three side branches with the same name split off the route, at 10 m and 1.7 km. The distance and climb above follow this route only, not its branches. Along the way you pass the summit of Crystal Ridge. Expect scrambling and exposure; this is mountain terrain. Also used for scrambling.

Length
2.9km
Elevation gain
383m
Estimated time
3h
Moving time
Route
Loop
Highest point
2,585m
Lowest point
2,201m

Elevation profile

2,201 m to 2,585 m
2,5842,201 0 km2.9 km

Highest point 2,585 m, lowest 2,201 m, 383 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 56% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 100% of route

100% LTE · 0% 5G

Longest modelled gap
0.0 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

  1. 1.5 kmCrystal RidgeSummit · 2,527 m

Good for

  • Hiking, Scrambling
  • Dog friendly (on leash)
  • Summit, Views, Alpine

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 51.6675° N, 116.4257° 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

Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30