Parking
Use the Lake Minnewanka Day-Use Area parking lot off Lake Minnewanka Loop Road. The route begins on the Minnewanka Trail along the north shore; parking is limited, so an early start is useful.
Overview
About Aylmer Pass Trail
Aylmer Pass is a strenuous out-and-back from the Lake Minnewanka Day-Use Area to an alpine pass above the lake. Parks Canada lists the route at 13.1 km one way; allow about 26.2 km (16.3 miles) total and roughly 970 m of elevation gain. It is an 8- to 9-hour day for strong hikers, with a long shoreline approach before the climb.
Follow the Minnewanka Trail along the north shore for about 7.8 km to the Aylmer Pass Trail junction. Continue uphill for about 2.3 km to the Aylmer Lookout junction, then stay on the Aylmer Pass route toward open alpine meadows and the pass. The lookout is a separate branch; do not follow it if Aylmer Pass is your destination.
The route combines rolling lakeshore travel with a sustained, rugged climb and exposed alpine terrain. Lake Minnewanka provides the main early views, while Aylmer Pass opens toward the Palliser Range. The long distance, elevation gain, remote setting, and variable footing make this a demanding full-day route; carry adequate food, layers, water treatment, navigation tools, and bear spray.
Start early from the day-use area. Seasonal wildlife restrictions have applied to the Minnewanka–Aylmer corridor, including minimum group sizes and limits on bicycles and dogs, so check current Parks Canada bulletins and trail conditions before leaving. Early-season snow or mud can persist higher up, and bear warnings or closures can change access.
Why go
- Long lake-to-alpine route with sweeping Lake Minnewanka views.
- Aylmer Pass opens to high meadows and Palliser Range scenery.
Heads up
- The 13.1 km one-way route and roughly 970 m of gain make a very long day.
- Remote, rugged terrain and seasonal wildlife restrictions require careful planning.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Banff map
Full mapElevation1,469–2,291 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
8 active Banff alerts
- ClosureLake Minnewanka and Aylmer area closureMentions this trailLake Minnewanka Trail, Aylmer Pass Trail, and campgrounds Lm8, Lm9, Lm11, Lm20, Lm22 and Lm31 are closed to all users because black bears are displaying food-seeking behaviour.Official details
- ClosureRed Deer River valley bottom closed for ceremonial bison harvestThe Red Deer River valley bottom is closed to the public during an Indigenous ceremonial bison harvest taking place through November.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Banff Tour Guide
Your drive to Aylmer Pass Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Banff National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
Recorded for this trailhead
Lake Minnewanka Hikes for All LevelsListen
“The large parking area you're approaching is the main trailhead for Lake Minnewanka. The most popular hike here is the lakeshore trail, a simple walk that follows the shoreline, letting you choose how far you want to go.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Protecting Banff's Native Trout
- Lake Minnewanka: A Submerged Town and Bighorn Sheep
- C-Level Cirque Trail from Upper Bankhead
- Bankhead Ghost Town: A Historical Walk
- 178 audio storiesacross Banff’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Grizzly Bear, Brown Bear, Gray Wolf, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 177 trails, 236 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“…Loved the commentary as you drove thru. I’m sure the app can do more than I know but the tips were very helpful. I’m gonna use it when we go to Banff next month.”
Wildlife
Wildlife in Banff
122 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
150 sightingsBrown BearMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
44 sightingsGray WolfMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
12 sightingsRiver OtterMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
67 sightingsMooseMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
465 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 9 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Banff. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
