Little Hector Route
Banff National Park
Trail score 53 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality
About this trail
Little Hector Route is a 5.9 km out and back trail in Banff National Park. It runs 3.0 km each way. The route gains 992 m in total and tops out at 3,082 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard. Allow about 6 hours of moving time. It meets Mount Andromache Route at 0.3 km and Mount Hector Route at 1.6 km. Along the way you pass the summit of Little Hector.
- Length
- 5.9km
- 3.0 km each way
- Elevation gain
- 992m
- Estimated time
- 6h
- Moving time
- Route
- Out and back
- Highest point
- 3,082m
- Lowest point
- 2,091m
Elevation profile
2,091 m to 3,082 mHighest point 3,082 m, lowest 2,091 m, 992 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 67% over 100 m.
Predicted coverage: 100% of route
100% LTE · 0% 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
- 2.9 kmLittle HectorSummit · 3,124 m
Good for
- Hiking
- Dog friendly (on leash)
- Summit, Views, River or creek, Glacier, Alpine
Trailhead
The trail starts at 51.6059° N, 116.2972° W.
Banff National Park admission
National park admission required
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.
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
- Hector Creek TrailHard · 2.1 km · 227 m gain · 1.0 km away
- Mount Hector RouteHard · 7.3 km · 741 m gain · 1.3 km away
- Molar Mountain RouteHard · 13.5 km · 1,740 m gain · 1.6 km away
- Noseeum Peak RouteHard · 11.5 km · 1,188 m gain · 2.4 km away
- Mount Andromache RouteHard · 14.7 km · 2,113 m gain · 2.4 km away
- Hector LakeModerate · 4.1 km · 82 m gain · 3.1 km away
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