Hike Alberta
Spray Lakes ReservoirBelgium Lake 5 km N
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Palliser Pass

Near Kananaskis Village · Banff National Park

Hard · Out and back · Official trail

Trail score 76 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

Spray Lakes ReservoirBelgium Lake 10 km Open the map

About this trail

Palliser Pass is a 37.8 km out and back trail near Kananaskis Village in Banff National Park. It runs 18.9 km each way. The route gains 726 m in total and tops out at 2,088 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard, and Parks Canada rates it difficult. Allow about 11 hours 30 minutes of moving time. It meets Great Divide Trail at 6.1 km, and passes three other mapped junctions. Along the way you pass Spray Lakes Reservoir and Belgium Lake and a backcountry campground. Much of the route follows Spray River. Also used for horseback riding and backpacking.

Length
37.8km
18.9 km each way
Elevation gain
726m
Estimated time
11h30min
Moving time
Route
Out and back
Highest point
2,088m
Lowest point
1,711m

Elevation profile

1,711 m to 2,088 m
2,0841,711 0 km18.9 km

Highest point 2,088 m, lowest 1,711 m, 726 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 27% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 0% of route

0% LTE · 0% 5G

Longest modelled gap
18.9 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 kmSpray Lakes ReservoirLake
  2. 8.3 kmBirdwood Backcountry CampgroundBackcountry campground
  3. 18.2 kmBelgium LakeLake
  4. 18.9 kmPalliser PassPass or saddle

Good for

  • Hiking, Horseback riding, Backpacking
  • Dog friendly (on leash)
  • Lake, Views, River or creek, Camping

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 50.8586° N, 115.4450° 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

Parks Canada trail data, Open Government Licence Canada
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30