In case you are up for the difficult logistics of this thru-hike, there are spectacular views round virtually each nook of the Nice Divide Path. This hall has come a good distance in recent times, with path circumstances enhancing every mountaineering season, however it’s nonetheless a lot rougher to hike than most of the mainstream lengthy trails within the US. Thankfully, there are many assets for potential hikers to assist make this journey the journey of a lifetime.
Fast Details
- Distance: 700 miles (1,123 km)
- Days Wanted: 36 – 68 days
- Peak Elevation: 8,497 toes (2,590 m) at an unnamed cross above Michele Lakes
- Low Elevation: 3,461 toes (1,055 m) Outdated Fort Level trailhead close to Jasper
- Permits: Sure
- Problem: Tough
Highlights
- Jaw-dropping views all through the hike
- Plentiful wildlife
- Various communities and hikers on the path
Lowlights
- Permits require plenty of pre-planning and restrict spontaneity on the path
- Mosquitoes
- Tough and generally harmful glacial river fords
- Lengthy meals carry to Kakwa Lake
Greatest Time to Hike
As a consequence of its northern latitude and mountainous terrain, the perfect time to hike the Nice Divide Path is July to September if you wish to decrease the snow you encounter on the path. Beginning earlier than July, you threat working into snowpack from the earlier winter. The prospect of recent snow falling will increase all through the month of September. By October, increased snow totals are doubtless. Although snowstorms have a tendency to simply go away dustings in the course of the summer time months, remember that it could possibly snow any day of the 12 months within the Canadian Rockies.
Problem of Path
The implausible views discovered alongside this route include extra pre-trip planning. It’s essential to “earn these turns,” so to talk, on the Nice Divide Path. In comparison with better-established thru-hikes, such because the Appalachian or Pacific Crest Trails, the GDT is a tougher and technical mountaineering expertise. Having hiked each well-blazed trails and unmarked routes, we might classify it as someplace in between for the next causes.
ROUTE FINDING & TRAIL QUALITY
Although the GDT is an official path with an related non-profit and blazes, there are nonetheless many sections which are in tough situation. There isn’t any path in some locations, although the navigation tends to be straightforward as a result of mountaineering above treeline, scrambling alongside rock fields, or following river valleys. In comparison with better-established long-distance trails, hikers ought to really feel extra comfy making navigational decisions and coping with blowdowns.
That mentioned, the GDT has come a good distance in recent times because of the laborious work of the Nice Divide Path Affiliation. Many sections that had been as soon as fully off-trail now have path tread or flagging to assist hikers alongside. The FarOut GDT mountaineering app has additionally helped to make this path extra simply accessible to hikers of various talents.
GLACIAL RIVER FORDS
The Nice Divide Path crosses many creeks and rivers that run quick in the summertime as a result of each seasonal snow and glacier soften. There are bridges over most of the creeks within the fashionable elements of the nationwide parks, however less-trafficked areas could also be tougher.
For instance, the Howse River flood plain in part D contains a number of crossings with out bridges. It’s greatest to keep away from crossing in the course of the warmest a part of the day when the water is working the quickest. Hikers ought to analysis protected crossing strategies, be ready to delay their crossing, or flip round if wanted to keep away from an accident.
Permits
One of many largest hurdles when planning a GDT through hike is the allow course of for the Canadian Nationwide Parks. The path passes by means of 5 Nationwide Parks and eight provincial parks. Although not all parks require permits, there are various locations the place no quantity of lengthy days and strategic planning will get across the allow course of.
The trickiest locations to get permits embody Banff and Jasper Nationwide Parks in addition to Mount Assiniboine and Mount Robson Provincial Parks. Permits are additionally required for backcountry tenting in Kootenay, Yoho, and Waterton Nationwide Parks, in addition to Peter Lougheed Provincial Parks, although it’s simpler to keep away from tenting in these areas with some planning.
Backcountry reservations for the nationwide parks open on the finish of January. Reservations might be fairly aggressive, so we advocate creating an itinerary forward of time with backup plans in case a campsite is already booked. It will be important for all through and part hikers to e book permits the place required and persist with their reservations to assist keep a optimistic relationship with Parks Canada.
There are three provincial parks on the GDT that require in a single day tenting permits. Mount Assiniboine, Peter Lougheed, and Mount Robson all have totally different reservation dates and costs.
An Alberta Public Lands Tenting Allow is the one different cross wanted to camp in just a few areas of sections B, E, and G. The Nice Divide Path Affiliation has up-to-date data on backcountry permits.
Climate
Summer season within the Canadian Rockies tends to be a lot wetter than additional south, although it relies on the 12 months. Snow is feasible in the course of the summer time, as are fires. Hikers ought to pack applicable layers, test the climate, and observe closure warnings when wanted.
Wildlife
The GDT hall is dwelling to an abundance of wildlife, together with each black and grizzly bears. Anybody spending time on this path must be bear conscious by storing meals correctly, making noise whereas mountaineering, and carrying bear spray. Different animals, huge and small, additionally frequent the hall, together with moose and mosquitoes.
Getting There
Each NOBO and SOBO GDT thru-hikes are potential, however northbound tends to be your best option for many thru-hikers. A NOBO thru-hike permits hikers to begin barely earlier within the season and gives time for hikers to achieve their path legs earlier than coping with the extra distant and higher-consequence elements of the path. The primary benefit of a SOBO hike is that it might be simpler to rearrange a shuttle alongside Walker Creek Street to the Kakwa Lake terminus with a hard and fast begin date.
SOUTHERN TERMINUS
Situated on the US-Canadian border the place Glacier Nationwide Park transitions into Waterton Nationwide Park, there are a number of methods to achieve the southern terminus. For individuals who strictly wish to hike the GDT solely, the terminus might be reached by an out-and-back hike from the Waterton townsite to the border on the boundary lake path. Some hikers additionally decide to take a ferry from the Waterton marina to the Goat Hang-out ranger station in Glacier Nationwide Park. Each routes are roughly the identical distance, round 7-8 miles spherical journey (12-13 km).
These beginning or ending on the Waterton townsite have just a few journey choices. The primary choice is to fly into Calgary, AB, and take a shuttle. Another choice is to take a prepare to East Glacier, Montana, and e book a shuttle to Waterton from there.
Some hikers select so as to add an extended method or extension to their hike by mountaineering the Continental Divide Path by means of Glacier Nationwide Park. This will simplify the shuttle facet by permitting hikers to benefit from the Amtrak prepare station in East Glacier.
NORTHERN TERMINUS
There are two official northern termini for the Nice Divide Path: Mount Robson and Kakwa Lake. Mount Robson is situated north of Jasper, AB, and is the tallest level within the Canadian Rockies. The terminus is within the provincial park sharing its title. Hikers ending right here should add a further 17 miles (27 km) to the Mount Robson customer middle on Freeway 16. Public transportation is just not out there right here, so hikers should be ready to rearrange a shuttle or hitchhike.
Kakwa Lake is the northernmost terminus, however its distant location could make it logistically troublesome to achieve. Hikers who end right here ought to anticipate to stroll for at the least one other day or two to achieve the closest street, probably longer if a journey with 4×4 capabilities is just not organized forward of time. Most individuals use the western entry level, Walker Creek Service Street. It’s 17 miles (28 km) to the 4×4 trailhead and one other 46 miles (75 km) to pavement. From there, hikers should hitch or organize a shuttle journey to Prince George, BC. The opposite choice is to hike 20 miles (32 km) through Deadhorse Meadows to the closest 4×4 trailhead. From there, hikers could attempt to get rides at a number of trailheads additional down the street to Grande Prairie, AB.
Planning Your Itinerary
Thankfully for these interested by thru-hiking the GDT, there are various planning assets. The Nice Divide Path Affiliation has a wealth of knowledge out there on their web site, together with allow data and pattern itineraries. Mountaineering Canada’s Nice Divide Path by Dustin Lynx is at the moment the principle guidebook out there and likewise pairs with the paper topo map set, additionally created by Dustin Lynx, which is a free useful resource.
Extra detailed, waterproof maps are additionally out there by means of GoTrekkers. The discharge of the FarOut GDT app in 2017 was a recreation changer for this path and makes a terrific useful resource for planning and day-to-day navigation. The GDTA additionally manages a Fb group known as Nice Divide Path Hikers, and is a superb place to get questions answered.
ALTERNATE ROUTES
There are numerous different routes alongside the GDT. Some provide simpler strolling, many present a scenic, however more durable route in comparison with the official path. Lots of the alternates are proven on the FarOut app in addition to on the Guidebook Topo Map set created by Dustin Lynx.
Among the extra fashionable alternate routes embody Barnaby Ridge in part A, Northover Ridge in part C, Kiwetinok alternate in part D, and Shock Cross in part F. It’s a good suggestion to analysis the routes beforehand and have an excellent grasp of off path journey. Barnaby Ridge, particularly, could be a bit technical, dropping off from La Coulette Peak.
The place to Resupply
The number of path cities and resupply places is huge on the GDT, starting from the bustling vacationer lure of Banff townsite to the extra distant Peter Lougheed customer middle. Beneath are a few of the widespread places to resupply, although it’s under no circumstances an exhaustive checklist. The Nice Divide Path Affiliation affords extra assets.
WATERTON TOWNSITE, AB (NOBO MILE 4 [KM 6.4])
Waterton has a shocking variety of facilities given its distant location. It’s potential to resupply on the grocery retailer, and there are numerous lodges for in a single day stays. We booked a hiker campsite on the Parks Canada campground to economize and used it to go to the movie show as an alternative. There are many eating places, as Waterton is a vacationer cease near the US border. Don’t overlook to cease on the customer middle to name customs and declare your go to in the event you hiked into the park from Glacier Nationwide Park.
Don’t Miss: Waterton Lakes Opera Home, Huge Scoop Ice Cream Parlor, Waterton Customer Data Middle
COLEMAN & BLAIREMORE, AB (NOBO MILE 91 [KM 145])
The cities of Coleman and Blairmore are only some miles aside on Freeway 3. The official GDT goes proper by means of Coleman, however as the principle grocery retailer is in Blairmore, most hikers will go to each. There are just a few motels and eating places in each cities, and lots of locals are keen to offer rides. Hikers who know they are going to be spending all of their time in Blairmore could select to hike the Blairmore Entry alternate route into city.
Don’t Miss: Sobeys IGA, Crowsnest Pantry, Cross Beer
ELK PASS TRAILHEAD IN PETER LOUGHEED PROVINCIAL PARK & BOULTON CREEK TRADING POST, AB (NOBO MILE 210 [KM 338])
To interrupt up the lengthy stretch between Coleman and Banff, it’s a good suggestion to ship a resupply package deal to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. Although the customer’s middle and Boulton Creek Buying and selling Put up now not settle for packages, it’s potential to mail them for supply to a particular cache field on the Elk Cross Trailhead. Supply have to be booked by means of a particular electronic mail, and the associated fee to take action is listed on the GDTA web site. GDTA members obtain a reduction on supply.
Those that don’t wish to ship a package deal could try and resupply on the Boulton Creek Buying and selling Put up. Simply know that the meals is each costly and restricted because of the distant location. It’s also primarily geared in direction of automotive campers.
Don’t Miss: Boulton Creek Buying and selling Put up
SUNSHINE VILLAGE & BANFF, AB (NOBO MILES 270 [KM 435])
The primary entry level for Banff is from Sunshine Village ski space. Hikers could select to stroll up and down the hill, journey the gondola, or a mixture of each. The gondola is a bit dear, so our advice is to stroll downhill along with your empty pack, then pay for the journey to the highest if you end up loaded down with meals. From the underside of the ski space, there’s a bus that shuttles vacationers into Banff townsite.
The city of Banff itself is each a blessing and a curse for through hikers. There are a lot of shops with gear, meals, and most different gadgets a hiker may need. Nevertheless, there’s a vacationer markup on costs, and the streets are extraordinarily busy in the course of the summer time with vacationers from all around the world. Whereas there’s a hostel on the town, it might be value reserving a campsite reservation upfront when shopping for backcountry permits or paying to take the bus into Canmore, simply down the street.
Don’t Miss: historic Parks Canada administration constructing, Banff Middle, Fairmont Banff Springs (simply stroll by and test it out), Bow Falls
FIELD & GOLDEN, BC (NOBO MILE 337 [KM 542])
The city of Discipline is situated proper on the GDT, which makes it handy for a fast cease earlier than pushing on. There’s a put up workplace for mailing resupply bins, just a few costly cafes, and a few dear lodging. These trying to take a zero or spend the evening could wish to think about hitching into Golden, which is about an hour to the west, however a comparatively straightforward hitch. Golden is a full-service city with a number of lodging choices, shops, and eating places. There’s a hostel and a ski space.
Don’t Miss: Dream Catcher Hostel
SASKATCHEWAN RIVER CROSS, AB (NOBO MILE 402 [KM 647])
Saskatchewan Crossing is pricey, however a essential resupply location. The resort accepts packages for a steep dealing with payment. See the GDTA web site for present costs. There may be meals out there for buy, however choices are restricted as it’s a comfort retailer and simply as costly as mailing a field. The field payment is waived for hikers who keep the evening. The perfect a part of Saskatchewan Crossing needs to be the breakfast buffet if you can also make it on time.
Don’t Miss: Breakfast buffet
JASPER, AB (NOBO MILE 520 [KM 837])
A full-service city, Jasper has loads in widespread with Banff, as it’s one other fashionable vacationer vacation spot. Like Banff, we might advocate planning lodging upfront to keep away from scrambling for costly rooms final minute. The Jasper Curry Place is one among our favourite stops on the town and has an all-you-can-eat buffet at an inexpensive worth. Observe that some companies will doubtless nonetheless be recovering in 2025 and past because of the devastating fires in 2024.
Don’t Miss: Jasper Curry Place, HI Hostel, Bear Paw Bakery
MOUNT ROBSON VISITOR CENTER, BC (NOBO MILE 583 [KM 938])
Resupply packages might be mailed to the customer middle for individuals who are making the trek to Kakwa Lake and are keen so as to add an additional 17 miles (28 km) one method to make the journey. Make sure you contact the customer middle earlier than sending the package deal and permit further time for transit. Those that desire a shorter facet journey or to interrupt up the lengthy part between Jasper and Kakwa extra evenly would possibly think about using Robson Backcountry Adventures package deal supply service to the Blueberry Trailhead bear field. The supply comes with a steep payment, however could also be value it for some hikers.
MAPS & RESOURCES
Gear Record
Be sure that to take a look at our Final Backpacking Guidelines so that you don’t overlook one thing necessary.
Beneath you’ll discover our present favourite backpacking gear. If you wish to see extra choices, our curated gear guides are the results of a few years of intensive analysis and hands-on testing by our staff of outside specialists.
BACKPACK
- Greatest Backpacking Pack General: REI Flash 55 – Males’s / REI Flash 55 – Ladies’s
- Greatest Ultralight Backpacking Backpack: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40
- Extra: Take a look at our greatest backpacking backpacks information for ultralight and trekking choices
TENT
- Greatest Backpacking Tent General: Huge Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2
- Greatest Ultralight Tent: Zpacks Duplex
- Greatest Finances Tent: REI Half Dome SL 2+
- Greatest Tent Stakes General: All One Tech Aluminum Stakes
- Extra: Take a look at our greatest backpacking tents information for extra choices
SLEEPING BAG/QUILT
- Greatest Sleeping Bag General: Males’s Feathered Pals Swallow YF 20 / Ladies’s Feathered Pals Egret YF 20
- Greatest Quilt General: Enlightened Tools Revelation 20
- Extra: Take a look at our greatest backpacking sleeping baggage information and greatest backpacking quilts information for extra choices
SLEEPING PAD
- Greatest Sleeping Pad General: NEMO Tensor All-Season
- Greatest Foam Sleeping Pad: NEMO Switchback
- Extra: Take a look at our greatest backpacking sleeping pads information for ultralight and trekking choices
CAMP KITCHEN
- Greatest Backpacking Range General: MSR PocketRocket 2
- Greatest Backpacking Cookware General: TOAKS Titanium 750ml
- Greatest Backpacking Espresso General: Starbucks VIA
- Extra: Take a look at our greatest backpacking stoves information and greatest backpacking cookware information for ultralight and huge group choices
WATER & FILTRATION
- Greatest Water Filter General: Sawyer Squeeze
- Greatest Hydration Bladder General: Gregory 3D Hydro
- Greatest Backpacking Water Bottles: Smartwater Bottles
- Extra: Take a look at our greatest backpacking water filters information and greatest backpacking water bottles information for ultralight and huge group choices
CLOTHING
- Greatest Mountaineering Pants General: Males’s Outside Analysis Ferrosi / Ladies’s The North Face Aphrodite 2.0
- Greatest Mountaineering Shorts General: Males’s Patagonia Quandary / Ladies’s Outside Analysis Ferrosi
- Greatest Ladies’s Mountaineering Leggings: Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights HD
- Greatest Rain Jacket General: Males’s Patagonia Torrentshell 3L / Ladies’s Patagonia Torrentshell 3L
- Greatest Rain Pants: Males’s Patagonia Torrentshell 3L / Ladies’s Patagonia Torrentshell 3L
- Greatest Down Jacket General: Males’s Patagonia Down Sweater Hoodie / Ladies’s Patagonia Down Sweater Hoodie
- Greatest Fleece Jacket General: Males’s Patagonia Higher Sweater / Ladies’s Patagonia Higher Sweater
- Greatest Sunshirt General: Males’s Outside Analysis Echo / Ladies’s Outside Analysis Echo
- Greatest Socks General: Males’s Darn Powerful Gentle Hiker Micro Crew / Ladies’s Darn Powerful Gentle Hiker Micro Crew
- Beste Ultralight Liner Glove: Patagonia Capilene Midweight Liner
- Extra: Take a look at our greatest backpacking attire lists for extra choices
FOOTWEAR & TRACTION
- Greatest Mountaineering Footwear General: Males’s HOKA Speedgoat 6 / Ladies’s HOKA Speedgoat 6
- Greatest Mountaineering Boots General: Males’s Salomon X Extremely 4 GTX / Ladies’s Lowa Renegade GTX
- Greatest Mountaineering Sandals General: Males’s Chaco Z/1 Traditional / Ladies’s Chaco Z/1 Traditional
- Greatest Camp Footwear General: Crocs Traditional Clogs
- Greatest Traction Gadget for Mountaineering General: Kahtoola MICROspikes
- Extra: Take a look at our greatest backpacking footwear lists for extra choices
NAVIGATION
- Greatest GPS Watch General: Garmin Intuition 2 Photo voltaic
- Greatest Private Locator Beacon (PLB): Garmin inReach Mini 2
- Extra: Take a look at our article Easy methods to Use Your Telephone as a GPS Gadget for Backpacking & Mountaineering to be taught extra
FOOD
FIRST-AID & TOOLS
- Greatest First-Support Package General: Journey Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7
- Greatest Pocket Knife General: Kershaw Leek
- Greatest Multitool General: Leatherman Wave+
- Greatest Headlamp General: Black Diamond Spot 400-R
- Greatest Energy Financial institution General: Nitcore NB 10000 Gen 3
- Extra: Take a look at our greatest first-aid Package information, greatest pocket knife information, greatest multitool information, greatest backpacking headlamps information, and greatest energy banks information for extra choices
MISCELLANEOUS
- Greatest Trekking Poles General: Black Diamond Pursuit
- Greatest Backpacking Chair General: REI Flexlite Air
- Greatest Backpacking Stuff Sack General: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Drawstring
- Extra: Take a look at our greatest trekking poles information, greatest backpacking chairs information, and greatest stuff sacks information for extra choices
Conclusion
The Nice Divide Path is a difficult however rewarding Canadian journey. Although it requires some superior planning, backpackers are rewarded with beautiful views virtually each mile. We extremely advocate it for individuals who desire a barely (however not fully) off-the-beaten-path path.
And make sure you take a look at a few of our different fashionable content material:
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