Great Divide
Near Lake Louise · Banff National Park
Trail score 62 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality
About this trail
Great Divide is a 14.0 km out and back trail near Lake Louise in Banff National Park. It runs 7.0 km each way. The route gains 178 m in total and tops out at 1,702 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate, and Parks Canada rates it easy. Allow about 4 hours of moving time. It meets Old Highway 1A at 0.6 km, and passes three other mapped junctions. Along the way you pass Divide Creek. Also used for trail running, mountain biking and horseback riding.
- Length
- 14.0km
- 7.0 km each way
- Elevation gain
- 178m
- Estimated time
- 4h
- Moving time
- Route
- Out and back
- Highest point
- 1,702m
- Lowest point
- 1,638m
Elevation profile
1,638 m to 1,702 mHighest point 1,702 m, lowest 1,638 m, 178 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 12% over 100 m.
Predicted coverage: 100% of route
0% LTE · 100% 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
- 0.0 kmGreat Divide TrailheadTrailhead
- 7.0 kmDivide CreekLandmark
Good for
- Hiking, Trail running, Mountain biking, Horseback riding, Cross country skiing
- Dog friendly (on leash)
Trailhead
The trail starts at 51.4195° N, 116.2046° 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
- Lac LouiseEasy · 1.0 km · 39 m gain · 0.6 km away
- Paradise Valley TrailHard · 23.8 km · 1,443 m gain · 0.7 km away
- Lake Louise LakeshoreModerate · 4.6 km · 75 m gain · 0.8 km away
- Plain of Six GlaciersModerate · 13.7 km · 692 m gain · 0.9 km away
- Ross Lake TrailHard · 14.2 km · 378 m gain · 0.9 km away
- Saddleback · Sheol ValleyHard · 14.3 km · 1,090 m gain · 0.9 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