Glacier Trail

Banff National Park

Hard · Out and back · Official trail

Trail score 55 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

About this trail

Glacier Trail is a 35.7 km out and back trail in Banff National Park. It runs 17.9 km each way. The route gains 398 m in total and tops out at 1,458 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard. Allow about 10 hours of moving time. It passes four mapped trail junctions. Between 16.5 km and 17.7 km a 1.5 km alternative with the same name runs beside the route. The distance and climb above follow this route only, not its branches. Also used for backpacking.

Length: 35.7km; 17.9 km each way
Elevation gain: 398m
Estimated time: 10h; Moving time
Route: Out and back
Highest point: 1,458m
Lowest point: 1,347m

Elevation profile

1,347 m to 1,458 m

Highest point 1,458 m, lowest 1,347 m, 398 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 20% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 0% of route

0% LTE · 0% 5G

Longest modelled gap: 17.9 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, Backpacking
Dog friendly (on leash)
Glacier

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 52.0026° N, 116.4490° 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

Government of Alberta, Open Government Licence Alberta
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30