Nigel Pass
Banff National Park
Trail score 67 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality
About this trail
Nigel Pass is a 27.0 km out and back trail in Banff National Park. It runs 13.5 km each way. The route gains 920 m in total and tops out at 2,207 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate, and Parks Canada rates it moderate. Allow about 9 hours 15 minutes of moving time. It passes one mapped trail junction, at 12.9 km. Much of the route follows Nigel Creek. Also used for trail running, horseback riding and backpacking.
- Length
- 27.0km
- 13.5 km each way
- Elevation gain
- 920m
- Estimated time
- 9h15min
- Moving time
- Route
- Out and back
- Highest point
- 2,207m
- Lowest point
- 1,865m
Elevation profile
1,865 m to 2,207 mHighest point 2,207 m, lowest 1,865 m, 920 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 25% over 100 m.
Predicted coverage: 64% of route
64% LTE · 0% 5G
- Longest modelled gap
- 2.6 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 kmNigel Creek TrailheadTrailhead
- 7.3 kmNigel PassPass or saddle · 2,195 m
Good for
- Hiking, Trail running, Horseback riding, Backpacking
- Dog friendly (on leash)
- Views, River or creek, Alpine
Trailhead
The trail starts at 52.1861° N, 117.0689° 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
- Nigel RoadEasy · 3.5 km · 82 m gain · 0.1 km away
- Panther Falls TrailModerate · 0.9 km · 56 m gain · 1.0 km away
- Big Bend Peak RouteHard · 12.1 km · 1,228 m gain · 1.6 km away
- Nigel Pass HorseModerate · 6.3 km · 214 m gain · 2.0 km away
- Parker RidgeModerate · 5.5 km · 269 m gain · 3.3 km away
- Nigel SE3 RouteHard · 10.1 km · 1,078 m gain · 4.1 km away
All 588 trails in Banff National Park
Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
Parks Canada trail data, Open Government Licence Canada
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30