Hike Alberta
500 m N
Route preview. The interactive map opens here with terrain, contours and live notices.Open the map

Wenkchemna Pass

Near Lake Louise · Banff National Park

Hard · Out and back · Official trail

Trail score 65 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

500 m Open the map

About this trail

Wenkchemna Pass is a 6.5 km out and back trail near Lake Louise in Banff National Park. It runs 3.2 km each way. The route gains 338 m in total and tops out at 2,602 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard, and Parks Canada rates it difficult. Allow about 2 hours 30 minutes of moving time. It passes two mapped trail junctions. Two side branches with the same name split off the route, at 1.7 km and 2.3 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. Also used for horseback riding and cross country skiing.

Length
6.5km
3.2 km each way
Elevation gain
338m
Estimated time
2h30min
Moving time
Route
Out and back
Highest point
2,602m
Lowest point
2,303m

Elevation profile

2,303 m to 2,602 m
2,6022,303 0 km3.2 km

Highest point 2,602 m, lowest 2,303 m, 338 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 33% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 23% of route

5G near trailhead

Longest modelled gap
2.5 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.

Good for

  • Hiking, Horseback riding, Cross country skiing
  • Dog friendly (on leash)
  • Views, Alpine

Trailhead

The trail starts at 51.3251° N, 116.2444° 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