Hike Alberta
Pinto LakeNorman Creek FallsSunset PassNo5 · Norman Lake Campground 2 km N
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Sunset Pass

Banff National Park

Hard · Out and back · Official trail

Trail score 77 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

Pinto LakeNorman Creek Falls 2 km Open the map

About this trail

Sunset Pass is a 26.8 km out and back trail in Banff National Park. It runs 13.4 km each way. The route gains 1,325 m in total and tops out at 2,195 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard, and Parks Canada rates it difficult. Allow about 10 hours 30 minutes of moving time. It meets Sunset Lookout Trail at 2.8 km and Great Divide Trail at 13.0 km, and passes three other mapped junctions. Along the way you pass Pinto Lake, Norman Creek Falls, a campground and a stream crossing. Also used for horseback riding and backpacking.

Length
26.8km
13.4 km each way
Elevation gain
1,325m
Estimated time
10h30min
Moving time
Route
Out and back
Highest point
2,195m
Lowest point
1,440m

Elevation profile

1,440 m to 2,195 m
2,1951,440 0 km13.4 km

Highest point 2,195 m, lowest 1,440 m, 1,325 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 35% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 0% of route

0% LTE · 0% 5G

Longest modelled gap
13.4 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 kmSunset Pass TrailheadTrailhead
  2. 1.1 kmNorman Creek FallsWaterfall
  3. 4.2 kmNo5 · Norman Lake CampgroundCampground
  4. 7.9 kmSunset PassPass or saddle
  5. 13.0 kmStream crossing
  6. 13.0 kmPinto LakeLake
  7. 13.4 kmPinto Lake CampgroundCampground

Good for

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

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 52.0688° N, 116.9098° 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