Hike Alberta
Mistaya CanyonConway Creek 5 km N
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Great Divide Trail

Near Saskatchewan River Crossing · Banff National Park

Hard · Out and back

Trail score 56 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

Mistaya CanyonConway Creek 10 km Open the map

About this trail

Great Divide Trail is a 52.8 km out and back trail near Saskatchewan River Crossing in Banff National Park. It runs 26.4 km each way. The route gains 711 m in total and tops out at 1,538 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard. Allow about 15 hours of moving time. It meets Mount Sarbach Route at 0.2 km, and passes four other mapped junctions. Along the way you pass Mistaya Canyon, a campground and Howse Pass / David Thompson. Much of the route follows Howse River. Also used for backpacking.

Length
52.8km
26.4 km each way
Elevation gain
711m
Estimated time
15h
Moving time
Route
Out and back
Highest point
1,538m
Lowest point
1,394m

Elevation profile

1,394 m to 1,538 m
1,5361,394 0 km26.5 km

Highest point 1,538 m, lowest 1,394 m, 711 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 24% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 0% of route

0% LTE · 0% 5G

Longest modelled gap
26.4 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. 0.0 kmMistaya CanyonViewpoint
  2. 23.5 kmConway CreekCampground
  3. 26.4 kmHowse Pass / David ThompsonHistoric site
  4. 26.4 kmHowse PassHistoric site · 1,539 m

Good for

  • Hiking, Backpacking
  • Dog friendly (on leash)
  • Views, River or creek, Historic site, Camping

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 51.9424° N, 116.7215° 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