Hike Alberta
Minnestima Lakes 500 m N
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Sentinel Pass

Near Lake Louise · Banff National Park

Hard · Out and back · Official trail

Trail score 73 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

Minnestima Lakes 1 km Open the map

About this trail

Sentinel Pass is a 5.6 km out and back trail near Lake Louise in Banff National Park. It runs 2.8 km each way. The route gains 559 m in total and tops out at 2,602 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard, and Parks Canada rates it difficult. Allow about 3 hours 45 minutes of moving time. It meets Mount Temple, South West Ridge Route at 1.7 km. Along the way you pass Minnestima Lakes and Sentinel Pass. Some sections are steep, rough or exposed. Nearly all of it is mapped as T3 demanding mountain hiking. Also used for horseback riding.

Length
5.6km
2.8 km each way
Elevation gain
559m
Estimated time
3h45min
Moving time
Route
Out and back
Highest point
2,602m
Lowest point
2,229m

Elevation profile

2,229 m to 2,602 m
2,6022,229 0 km2.8 km

Highest point 2,602 m, lowest 2,229 m, 559 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 56% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 100% of route

0% LTE · 100% 5G

Longest modelled gap
0.0 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. 1.6 kmSentinel PassLandmark · 2,611 m
  2. 2.8 kmMinnestima LakesLake

Good for

  • Hiking, Horseback riding
  • Dog friendly (on leash)
  • Lake, Views, Alpine

Trailhead

The trail starts at 51.3496° N, 116.2329° 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
Parks Canada trail data, Open Government Licence Canada
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30