If you’re up for the tough logistics of this thru-hike, there are spectacular views round nearly each nook of the Nice Divide Path. This hall has come a great distance lately, with path situations enhancing every climbing season, however it’s nonetheless a lot rougher to hike than lots of the mainstream lengthy trails within the US. Happily, there are many assets for potential hikers to assist make this journey the journey of a lifetime.
Fast Info
- 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- Low Elevation: 3,461 toes (1,055 m) Outdated Fort Level trailhead close to Jasper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: Troublesome
Highlights
- Jaw-dropping views all through the hike
- Plentiful wildlife
- Various communities and hikers on the path
Lowlights
- Permits require lots of pre-planning and restrict spontaneity on the path
- Mosquitoes
- Troublesome and typically harmful glacial river fords
- Lengthy meals carry to Kakwa Lake
Greatest Time to Hike
Attributable to its northern latitude and mountainous terrain, the very best 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 contemporary snow falling will increase all through the month of September. By October, greater snow totals are possible. Although snowstorms have a tendency to only go away dustings in the course of the summer season months, bear in mind that it will probably snow any day of the yr within the Canadian Rockies.
Problem of Path
The unbelievable views discovered alongside this route include extra pre-trip planning. You could “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 harder and technical climbing expertise. Having hiked each well-blazed trails and unmarked routes, we’d 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 might be in tough situation. There isn’t any path in some locations, although the navigation tends to be straightforward as a result of climbing above treeline, scrambling alongside rock fields, or following river valleys. In comparison with better-established long-distance trails, hikers ought to really feel extra snug making navigational decisions and coping with blowdowns.
That stated, the GDT has come a great distance lately because of the arduous work of the Nice Divide Path Affiliation. Many sections that have been as soon as fully off-trail now have path tread or flagging to assist hikers alongside. The FarOut GDT climbing 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 lots of the creeks within the standard elements of the nationwide parks, however less-trafficked areas could also be more difficult.
For instance, the Howse River flood plain in part D consists of a number of crossings with out bridges. It’s finest 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 secure 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 way of 5 Nationwide Parks and eight provincial parks. Although not all parks require permits, there are a lot of locations the place no quantity of lengthy days and strategic planning will get across the allow course of.
The trickiest locations to get permits embrace 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 will be fairly aggressive, so we advocate creating an itinerary forward of time with backup plans in case a campsite is already booked. It is vital for all through and part hikers to ebook permits the place required and follow their reservations to assist keep a constructive 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 completely different reservation dates and charges.
An Alberta Public Lands Tenting Allow is the one different cross wanted to camp in a couple of areas of sections B, E, and G. The Nice Divide Path Affiliation has up-to-date data on backcountry permits.
Climate
Summer time within the Canadian Rockies tends to be a lot wetter than additional south, although it will depend on the yr. Snow is feasible in the course of the summer season, as are fires. Hikers ought to pack acceptable layers, examine the climate, and comply with 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 needs to be bear conscious by storing meals correctly, making noise whereas climbing, 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 attainable, however northbound tends to be your best option for many thru-hikers. A NOBO thru-hike permits hikers to start out 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 principle 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
Positioned on the US-Canadian border the place Glacier Nationwide Park transitions into Waterton Nationwide Park, there are a number of methods to succeed in the southern terminus. For many who strictly need to hike the GDT solely, the terminus will be reached by an out-and-back hike from the Waterton townsite to the border on the boundary lake path. Some hikers additionally choose 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 a couple of journey choices. The principle possibility is to fly into Calgary, AB, and take a shuttle. An alternative choice is to take a prepare to East Glacier, Montana, and ebook a shuttle to Waterton from there.
Some hikers select so as to add an extended strategy or extension to their hike by climbing the Continental Divide Path by way of Glacier Nationwide Park. This will simplify the shuttle side by permitting hikers to reap the benefits of 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 identify. Hikers ending right here should add an extra 17 miles (27 km) to the Mount Robson customer heart on Freeway 16. Public transportation will not be 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 tough to succeed in. Hikers who end right here ought to anticipate to stroll for not less than one other day or two to succeed in the closest street, probably longer if a trip with 4×4 capabilities will not be 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 prepare a shuttle trip to Prince George, BC. The opposite possibility is to hike 20 miles (32 km) by way of 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
Happily for these curious about thru-hiking the GDT, there are a lot of planning assets. The Nice Divide Path Affiliation has a wealth of data out there on their web site, together with allow data and pattern itineraries. Mountaineering Canada’s Nice Divide Path by Dustin Lynx is at present the primary guidebook out there and in addition 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 way of GoTrekkers. The discharge of the FarOut GDT app in 2017 was a sport changer for this path and makes an amazing 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 good place to get questions answered.
ALTERNATE ROUTES
There are numerous different routes alongside the GDT. Some supply simpler strolling, many present a scenic, however harder 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.
A few of the extra standard alternate routes embrace Barnaby Ridge in part A, Northover Ridge in part C, Kiwetinok alternate in part D, and Shock Move 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, generally is a bit technical, dropping off from La Coulette Peak.
The place to Resupply
The number of path cities and resupply areas is huge on the GDT, starting from the bustling vacationer lure of Banff townsite to the extra distant Peter Lougheed customer heart. Beneath are a number of the frequent areas to resupply, although it’s not at all an exhaustive checklist. The Nice Divide Path Affiliation presents extra assets.
WATERTON TOWNSITE, AB (NOBO MILE 4 [KM 6.4])
Waterton has a stunning variety of facilities given its distant location. It’s attainable 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 save cash 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 heart to name customs and declare your go to should you hiked into the park from Glacier Nationwide Park.
Don’t Miss: Waterton Lakes Opera Home, Large Scoop Ice Cream Parlor, Waterton Customer Info Heart
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 way of Coleman, however as the primary grocery retailer is in Blairmore, most hikers will go to each. There are a couple of accommodations and eating places in each cities, and plenty of locals are prepared 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, Move 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 bundle to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. Although the customer’s heart and Boulton Creek Buying and selling Publish not settle for packages, it’s attainable to mail them for supply to a particular cache field on the Elk Move Trailhead. Supply should be booked by way of a particular e mail, and the fee to take action is listed on the GDTA web site. GDTA members obtain a reduction on supply.
Those that don’t need to ship a bundle could try to resupply on the Boulton Creek Buying and selling Publish. Simply know that the meals is each costly and restricted because of the distant location. Additionally it is primarily geared in the direction of automotive campers.
Don’t Miss: Boulton Creek Buying and selling Publish
SUNSHINE VILLAGE & BANFF, AB (NOBO MILES 270 [KM 435])
The principle entry level for Banff is from Sunshine Village ski space. Hikers could select to stroll up and down the hill, trip the gondola, or a mixture of each. The gondola is a bit expensive, so our advice is to stroll downhill together with your empty pack, then pay for the trip to the highest if you find yourself 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 numerous shops with gear, meals, and most different gadgets a hiker may need. Nonetheless, there’s a vacationer markup on costs, and the streets are extraordinarily busy in the course of the summer season with vacationers from all around the world. Whereas there’s a hostel on the town, it might be price reserving a campsite reservation prematurely 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 Heart, Fairmont Banff Springs (simply stroll by and test it out), Bow Falls
FIELD & GOLDEN, BC (NOBO MILE 337 [KM 542])
The city of Area is situated proper on the GDT, which makes it handy for a fast cease earlier than pushing on. There’s a submit workplace for mailing resupply bins, a couple of costly cafes, and a few expensive lodging. These trying to take a zero or spend the night time could need to take into account 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 dear, however a vital resupply location. The resort accepts packages for a steep dealing with payment. See the GDTA web site for present costs. There’s 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 night time. One of the best a part of Saskatchewan Crossing must 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 quite a bit in frequent with Banff, as it’s one other standard vacationer vacation spot. Like Banff, we’d advocate planning lodging prematurely to keep away from scrambling for costly rooms final minute. The Jasper Curry Place is one in all our favourite stops on the town and has an all-you-can-eat buffet at an inexpensive value. Word that some companies will possible 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 will be mailed to the customer heart for many who are making the trek to Kakwa Lake and are prepared so as to add an additional 17 miles (28 km) one solution to make the journey. Make sure you contact the customer heart earlier than sending the bundle and permit further time for transit. Those that need 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 bundle supply service to the Blueberry Trailhead bear field. The supply comes with a steep payment, however could also be price it for some hikers.
MAPS & RESOURCES
Gear Record
Make certain to take a look at our Final Backpacking Guidelines so that you don’t overlook one thing vital.
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 in depth analysis and hands-on testing by our workforce of outside specialists.
BACKPACK
- Greatest Backpacking Pack Total: REI Flash 55 – Males’s / REI Flash 55 – Ladies’s
- Greatest Ultralight Backpacking Backpack: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40
- Extra: Try our finest backpacking backpacks information for ultralight and trekking choices
TENT
- Greatest Backpacking Tent Total: Large Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2
- Greatest Ultralight Tent: Zpacks Duplex
- Greatest Finances Tent: REI Half Dome SL 2+
- Greatest Tent Stakes Total: All One Tech Aluminum Stakes
- Extra: Try our finest backpacking tents information for extra choices
SLEEPING BAG/QUILT
- Greatest Sleeping Bag Total: Males’s Feathered Associates Swallow YF 20 / Ladies’s Feathered Associates Egret YF 20
- Greatest Quilt Total: Enlightened Tools Revelation 20
- Extra: Try our finest backpacking sleeping luggage information and finest backpacking quilts information for extra choices
SLEEPING PAD
- Greatest Sleeping Pad Total: NEMO Tensor All-Season
- Greatest Foam Sleeping Pad: NEMO Switchback
- Extra: Try our finest backpacking sleeping pads information for ultralight and trekking choices
CAMP KITCHEN
- Greatest Backpacking Range Total: MSR PocketRocket 2
- Greatest Backpacking Cookware Total: TOAKS Titanium 750ml
- Greatest Backpacking Espresso Total: Starbucks VIA
- Extra: Try our finest backpacking stoves information and finest backpacking cookware information for ultralight and enormous group choices
WATER & FILTRATION
- Greatest Water Filter Total: Sawyer Squeeze
- Greatest Hydration Bladder Total: Gregory 3D Hydro
- Greatest Backpacking Water Bottles: Smartwater Bottles
- Extra: Try our finest backpacking water filters information and finest backpacking water bottles information for ultralight and enormous group choices
CLOTHING
- Greatest Mountaineering Pants Total: Males’s Outside Analysis Ferrosi / Ladies’s The North Face Aphrodite 2.0
- Greatest Mountaineering Shorts Total: Males’s Patagonia Quandary / Ladies’s Outside Analysis Ferrosi
- Greatest Ladies’s Mountaineering Leggings: Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights HD
- Greatest Rain Jacket Total: 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 Total: Males’s Patagonia Down Sweater Hoodie / Ladies’s Patagonia Down Sweater Hoodie
- Greatest Fleece Jacket Total: Males’s Patagonia Higher Sweater / Ladies’s Patagonia Higher Sweater
- Greatest Sunshirt Total: Males’s Outside Analysis Echo / Ladies’s Outside Analysis Echo
- Greatest Socks Total: Males’s Darn Robust Gentle Hiker Micro Crew / Ladies’s Darn Robust Gentle Hiker Micro Crew
- Beste Ultralight Liner Glove: Patagonia Capilene Midweight Liner
- Extra: Try our finest backpacking attire lists for extra choices
FOOTWEAR & TRACTION
- Greatest Mountaineering Sneakers Total: Males’s HOKA Speedgoat 6 / Ladies’s HOKA Speedgoat 6
- Greatest Mountaineering Boots Total: Males’s Salomon X Extremely 4 GTX / Ladies’s Lowa Renegade GTX
- Greatest Mountaineering Sandals Total: Males’s Chaco Z/1 Traditional / Ladies’s Chaco Z/1 Traditional
- Greatest Camp Sneakers Total: Crocs Traditional Clogs
- Greatest Traction Machine for Mountaineering Total: Kahtoola MICROspikes
- Extra: Try our finest backpacking footwear lists for extra choices
NAVIGATION
- Greatest GPS Watch Total: Garmin Intuition 2 Photo voltaic
- Greatest Private Locator Beacon (PLB): Garmin inReach Mini 2
- Extra: Try our article Learn how to Use Your Telephone as a GPS Machine for Backpacking & Mountaineering to study extra
FOOD
FIRST-AID & TOOLS
- Greatest First-Support Equipment Total: Journey Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7
- Greatest Pocket Knife Total: Kershaw Leek
- Greatest Multitool Total: Leatherman Wave+
- Greatest Headlamp Total: Black Diamond Spot 400-R
- Greatest Energy Financial institution Total: Nitcore NB 10000 Gen 3
- Extra: Try our finest first-aid Equipment information, finest pocket knife information, finest multitool information, finest backpacking headlamps information, and finest energy banks information for extra choices
MISCELLANEOUS
- Greatest Trekking Poles Total: Black Diamond Pursuit
- Greatest Backpacking Chair Total: REI Flexlite Air
- Greatest Backpacking Stuff Sack Total: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Drawstring
- Extra: Try our finest trekking poles information, finest backpacking chairs information, and finest 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 gorgeous views nearly each mile. We extremely advocate it for many who need a barely (however not fully) off-the-beaten-path path.
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