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Rockbound LakeHelena RidgeRockbound Lake Viewpoint 500 m N
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Helena Ridge Trail

Near Castle Junction · Banff National Park

Hard · Out and back

Trail score 66 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

Rockbound LakeHelena Ridge 500 m Open the map

About this trail

Helena Ridge Trail is a 5.3 km out and back trail near Castle Junction in Banff National Park. It runs 2.7 km each way. The route gains 878 m in total and tops out at 2,861 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard. Allow about 5 hours 15 minutes of moving time. It meets Castle Mountain Stuart Knob Route at 0.8 km and Helena Ridge Extension at 1.7 km. Along the way you pass Rockbound Lake and Rockbound Lake Viewpoint.

Length
5.3km
2.7 km each way
Elevation gain
878m
Estimated time
5h15min
Moving time
Route
Out and back
Highest point
2,861m
Lowest point
2,218m

Elevation profile

2,218 m to 2,861 m
2,8602,218 0 km2.7 km

Highest point 2,861 m, lowest 2,218 m, 878 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 64% 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. 0.0 kmRockbound LakeLake
  2. 0.2 kmRockbound Lake ViewpointViewpoint
  3. 2.0 kmHelena RidgeSummit · 2,862 m

Good for

  • Hiking
  • Dog friendly (on leash)
  • Lake, Views, Alpine

Trailhead

The trail starts at 51.3146° N, 115.9272° 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