Pipestone

Near Lake Louise · Banff National Park

Hard · Out and back · Official trail

Trail score 64 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

About this trail

Pipestone is a 76.9 km out and back trail near Lake Louise in Banff National Park. It runs 38.5 km each way. The route gains 1,430 m in total and tops out at 2,453 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard, and Parks Canada rates it difficult. Allow about 23 hours of moving time. It passes nine mapped trail junctions. At 1.7 km the trail forks. This route keeps right; the left fork is a 0.8 km side branch with the same name. The map also shows a separate section with the same name that is not part of this route. The distance and climb above follow this route only, not its branches. Along the way you pass Ford River Crossing and a campground. Much of the route follows Pipestone River. Also used for mountain biking, horseback riding and backpacking.

Length: 76.9km; 38.5 km each way
Elevation gain: 1,430m
Estimated time: 23h; Moving time
Route: Out and back
Highest point: 2,453m
Lowest point: 1,560m

Elevation profile

1,560 m to 2,453 m

Highest point 2,453 m, lowest 1,560 m, 1,430 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 24% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 64% of route

10% LTE · 55% 5G

Longest modelled gap: 8.3 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 kmPipestone TrailheadTrailhead
19.3 kmFord River CrossingStream crossing
29.0 kmCamp (random camping)Campground

Good for

Hiking, Mountain biking, Horseback riding, Backpacking, Cross country skiing
Dog friendly (on leash)
Views, River or creek, Camping, Alpine

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 51.4335° N, 116.1853° 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