Hike Alberta
Hector South Ridge 500 m N
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Hector South Ridge Route

Near Lake Louise · Banff National Park

Hard · Out and back

Trail score 62 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

Hector South Ridge 1 km Open the map

About this trail

Hector South Ridge Route is a 9.2 km out and back trail near Lake Louise in Banff National Park. It runs 4.6 km each way. The route gains 962 m in total and tops out at 2,733 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard. Allow about 6 hours 15 minutes of moving time. It passes one mapped trail junction, at 3.2 km. Along the way you pass the summit of Hector South Ridge.

Length
9.2km
4.6 km each way
Elevation gain
962m
Estimated time
6h15min
Moving time
Route
Out and back
Highest point
2,733m
Lowest point
1,810m

Elevation profile

1,810 m to 2,733 m
2,7331,810 0 km4.6 km

Highest point 2,733 m, lowest 1,810 m, 962 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 50% 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

  1. 4.5 kmHector South RidgeSummit · 2,706 m

Good for

  • Hiking
  • Dog friendly (on leash)
  • Summit, Views, Glacier, Alpine

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 51.5218° N, 116.2658° 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