Guide's Rock Trail

Near Sawback · Banff National Park

Moderate · Out and back

Trail score 44 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

About this trail

Guide's Rock Trail is a 1.3 km out and back trail near Sawback in Banff National Park. It runs 0.6 km each way. The route gains 229 m in total and tops out at 1,644 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate. Allow about 1 hour 30 minutes of moving time. It passes one mapped trail junction, at 0.6 km. Along the way you pass Backswamp.

Length: 1.3km; 0.6 km each way
Elevation gain: 229m
Estimated time: 1h30min; Moving time
Route: Out and back
Highest point: 1,644m
Lowest point: 1,416m

Elevation profile

1,416 m to 1,644 m

Highest point 1,644 m, lowest 1,416 m, 229 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 43% 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 kmBackswampViewpoint

Good for

Hiking
Dog friendly (on leash)
Views

Trailhead

The trail starts at 51.1690° N, 115.6959° 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