In case you are up for the tough 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 lately, with path circumstances bettering every mountain climbing season, however it’s nonetheless a lot rougher to hike than most of the mainstream lengthy trails within the US. Happily, there are many sources for potential hikers to assist make this journey the journey of a lifetime.
Fast Information
- Distance: 700 miles (1,123 km)
- Days Wanted: 36 – 68 days
- Peak Elevation: 8,497 ft (2,590 m) at an unnamed cross above Michele Lakes
- Low Elevation: 3,461 ft (1,055 m) Previous Fort Level trailhead close to Jasper
- Permits: Sure
- Issue: Troublesome
Highlights
- Jaw-dropping views all through the hike
- Considerable wildlife
- Numerous communities and hikers on the path
Lowlights
- Permits require numerous pre-planning and restrict spontaneity on the path
- Mosquitoes
- Troublesome and typically harmful glacial river fords
- Lengthy meals carry to Kakwa Lake
Finest Time to Hike
Attributable to its northern latitude and mountainous terrain, the most effective time to hike the Nice Divide Path is July to September if you wish to reduce the snow you encounter on the path. Beginning earlier than July, you danger operating 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 may snow any day of the 12 months within the Canadian Rockies.
Issue of Path
The implausible views discovered alongside this route include further pre-trip planning. You will need 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 mountain 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 a path in some locations, although the navigation tends to be simple as a consequence of mountain 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 selections and coping with blowdowns.
That stated, the GDT has come a good distance lately because of the exhausting 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 mountain climbing app has additionally helped to make this path extra simply accessible to hikers of various skills.
GLACIAL RIVER FORDS
The Nice Divide Path crosses many creeks and rivers that run quick in the summertime as a consequence of each seasonal snow and glacier soften. There are bridges over most of the creeks within the in style elements of the nationwide parks, however less-trafficked areas could also be tougher.
For instance, the Howse River flood plain in part D consists of 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 operating 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 via 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 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 could be fairly aggressive, so we suggest creating an itinerary forward of time with backup plans in case a campsite is already booked. It will be significant for all via and part hikers to guide permits the place required and persist with their reservations to assist preserve 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 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 acceptable layers, verify 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 ought to be bear conscious by storing meals correctly, making noise whereas mountain climbing, and carrying bear spray. Different animals, large and small, additionally frequent the hall, together with moose and mosquitoes.
Getting There
Each NOBO and SOBO GDT thru-hikes are doable, however northbound tends to be the only option for many thru-hikers. A NOBO thru-hike permits hikers to begin barely earlier within the season and supplies 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 set 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 many who strictly wish to hike the GDT solely, the terminus could 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 possibility is to fly into Calgary, AB, and take a shuttle. An alternative choice is to take a prepare to East Glacier, Montana, and guide a shuttle to Waterton from there.
Some hikers select so as to add an extended strategy or extension to their hike by mountain climbing the Continental Divide Path by means of Glacier Nationwide Park. This will likely simplify the shuttle facet by permitting hikers to make the most 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 positioned 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 middle on Freeway 16. Public transportation is just not accessible 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 achieve. Hikers who end right here ought to count on to stroll for a minimum of 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 possibility is to hike 20 miles (32 km) through Deadhorse Meadows to the closest 4×4 trailhead. From there, hikers might attempt to get rides at a number of trailheads additional down the street to Grande Prairie, AB.
Planning Your Itinerary
Happily for these inquisitive about thru-hiking the GDT, there are a lot of planning sources. The Nice Divide Path Affiliation has a wealth of data accessible 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 accessible 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 accessible by means of GoTrekkers. The discharge of the FarOut GDT app in 2017 was a sport changer for this path and makes an ideal 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 various routes alongside the GDT. Some provide 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 number of the extra in style alternate routes embrace Barnaby Ridge in part A, Northover Ridge in part C, Kiwetinok alternate in part D, and Shock Go in part F. It’s a good suggestion to analysis the routes beforehand and have an excellent grasp of off path journey. Barnaby Ridge, specifically, could be 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 middle. Under are among the widespread areas to resupply, although it’s in no way an exhaustive listing. The Nice Divide Path Affiliation presents further sources.
WATERTON TOWNSITE, AB (NOBO MILE 4 [KM 6.4])
Waterton has a stunning variety of facilities given its distant location. It’s doable 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 neglect to cease on the customer middle to name customs and declare your go to when you hiked into the park from Glacier Nationwide Park.
Don’t Miss: Waterton Lakes Opera Home, Large Scoop Ice Cream Parlor, Waterton Customer Data Middle
COLEMAN & BLAIREMORE, AB (NOBO MILE 91 [KM 145])
The cities of Coleman and Blairmore are just a few miles aside on Freeway 3. The official GDT goes proper by means of Coleman, however as the primary grocery retailer is in Blairmore, most hikers will go to each. There are just a few inns 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 might select to hike the Blairmore Entry alternate route into city.
Don’t Miss: Sobeys IGA, Crowsnest Pantry, Go 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 Publish not settle for packages, it’s doable to mail them for supply to a particular cache field on the Elk Go Trailhead. Supply should be booked by means 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 wish to ship a package deal might 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 primary entry level for Banff is from Sunshine Village ski space. Hikers might select to stroll up and down the hill, journey the gondola, or a mixture of each. The gondola is a bit dear, so our suggestion 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 via hikers. There are numerous shops with gear, meals, and most different objects a hiker may wish. 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 price 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 positioned 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, just a few costly cafes, and a few dear lodging. These seeking to take a zero or spend the evening might wish to contemplate hitching into Golden, which is about an hour to the west, however a comparatively simple 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 may be meals accessible 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 may make it on time.
Don’t Miss: Breakfast buffet
JASPER, AB (NOBO MILE 520 [KM 837])
A full-service city, Jasper has rather a lot in widespread with Banff, as it’s one other in style vacationer vacation spot. Like Banff, we’d suggest planning lodging upfront to keep away from scrambling for costly rooms final minute. The Jasper Curry Place is certainly one of our favourite stops on the town and has an all-you-can-eat buffet at an inexpensive value. Word 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 could be mailed to the customer middle for many who are making the trek to Kakwa Lake and are keen so as to add an additional 17 miles (28 km) one approach 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 need a shorter facet journey or to interrupt up the lengthy part between Jasper and Kakwa extra evenly may 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 price it for some hikers.
Gear Checklist
Be sure that to take a look at our Final Backpacking Guidelines so that you don’t neglect one thing essential.
Under you’ll discover our present favourite backpacking gear. If you wish to see further choices, our curated gear guides are the results of a few years of in depth analysis and hands-on testing by our crew of out of doors specialists.
BACKPACK
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 suggest it for many who need a barely (however not fully) off-the-beaten-path path.
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