Mount Smutwood Route

Near Fortress Mountain Resort · Banff National Park

Hard · Out and back

Trail score 72 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

About this trail

Mount Smutwood Route is a 14.5 km out and back trail near Fortress Mountain Resort in Banff National Park. It runs 7.2 km each way. The route gains 916 m in total and tops out at 2,651 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard. Allow about 6 hours 45 minutes of moving time. It meets Tryst Lake Ridge Route at 0.2 km, Commonwealth Lake Route at 1.7 km and Commonwealth Traverse Route at 3.1 km, and passes seven other mapped junctions. Along the way you pass the summit of Smutwood Peak and a waterfall. Much of the route follows Commonwealth Creek.

Length: 14.5km; 7.2 km each way
Elevation gain: 916m
Estimated time: 6h45min; Moving time
Route: Out and back
Highest point: 2,651m
Lowest point: 1,872m

Elevation profile

1,872 m to 2,651 m

Highest point 2,651 m, lowest 1,872 m, 916 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 51% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 0% of route

0% LTE · 0% 5G

Longest modelled gap: 7.2 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 kmWaterfall
7.2 kmSmutwood PeakSummit · 2,693 m

Good for

Hiking
Dog friendly (on leash)
Waterfall, Summit, Views, River or creek, Alpine

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 50.8249° N, 115.3461° 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