Great Divide Trail

Near Waterton Park · Waterton Lakes National Park

Moderate · Out and back

The international boundary cutline at Upper Waterton Lake. Photo by R. Sieben, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Trail score 68 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

About this trail

Great Divide Trail is a 10.1 km out and back trail near Waterton Park in Waterton Lakes National Park. It runs 5.0 km each way. The route gains 454 m in total and tops out at 1,394 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate. Allow about 3 hours 45 minutes of moving time. It passes one mapped trail junction, at 4.0 km. Along the way you pass Upper Waterton Lake, Monument 276, a stream crossing and a backcountry campground. Also used for trail running and backpacking.

Length: 10.1km; 5.0 km each way
Elevation gain: 454m
Estimated time: 3h45min; Moving time
Route: Out and back
Highest point: 1,394m
Lowest point: 1,282m

Elevation profile

1,282 m to 1,394 m

Highest point 1,394 m, lowest 1,282 m, 454 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 26% 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 kmMonument 276Historic site
0.0 kmCDT North Terminus · GDT South TerminusTrailhead
0.0 kmStream crossing
0.0 kmBoundary BayBackcountry campground
0.0 kmUpper Waterton LakeLake
4.0 kmBertha BayBackcountry campground
4.2 kmStream crossing
4.9 kmViewpointAt 4.9 km

Good for

Hiking, Trail running, Backpacking
Dog friendly (on leash)
Lake, Views, Historic site, Camping

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 48.9987° N, 113.9061° W.

Driving directions

Waterton Lakes National Park admission

National park admission required

Buy Discovery 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 63 trails in Waterton Lakes National Park

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