Portal Peak Route
Banff National Park
Trail score 66 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality
About this trail
Portal Peak Route is a 4.6 km out and back trail in Banff National Park. It runs 2.3 km each way. The route gains 826 m in total and tops out at 2,818 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard. Allow about 5 hours of moving time. Two side branches with the same name split off the route, at 0.6 km and 1.2 km. 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 the summit of Portal Peak.
- Length
- 4.6km
- 2.3 km each way
- Elevation gain
- 826m
- Estimated time
- 5h
- Moving time
- Route
- Out and back
- Highest point
- 2,818m
- Lowest point
- 2,042m
Elevation profile
2,042 m to 2,818 mHighest point 2,818 m, lowest 2,042 m, 826 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 106% over 100 m.
Predicted coverage: 61% of route
61% LTE · 0% 5G
- Longest modelled gap
- 0.9 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
- 2.2 kmPortal PeakSummit · 2,911 m
Good for
- Hiking
- Dog friendly (on leash)
- Summit, Views, Glacier, Alpine
Trailhead
The trail starts at 51.6575° N, 116.4953° 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
- Mount Jimmy Simpson TrailHard · 7.4 km · 1,037 m gain · 0.3 km away
- Crowfoot Mountain North RouteHard · 4.6 km · 691 m gain · 0.6 km away
- Bow Hut RouteModerate · 10.0 km · 507 m gain · 1.1 km away
- Wapta Icefields RoutesEasy · 0.9 km · 87 m gain · 2.0 km away
- Crowfoot Mountain Approach RouteHard · 8.5 km · 835 m gain · 2.1 km away
- Jimmy Junior Alt RouteHard · 1.8 km · 366 m gain · 2.2 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