Parking
Lake Louise Lakeshore parking is the listed access point, about 4 km from the community. Paid parking and transit service are available. The route begins at the eastern Old Highway 1A access and returns the same way.
Overview
About Great Divide Trail at Lake Louise
Why go
- The boundary arch and Divide Creek give this old-road walk a clear destination.
- Winter grooming adds a classic-ski and skating-lane option.
Heads up
- The full return is nearly 20 km; even the arch turnaround is a substantial walk.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Banff map
Full mapElevation1,610–1,705 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
8 active Banff alerts
- ClosureJohnston Canyon Trail and Day Use Area closedJohnston Canyon Trail and Day Use Area are closed to all traffic and travel through December 11, 2026, because construction work requires protecting public and workers’ safety.Official details
- ClosureBaker Lake and Hidden Lake campgrounds closed to campingCamping is prohibited at Baker Lake and Hidden Lake campgrounds through December 1, 2026, because a grizzly bear entered campsites and investigated tents and gear; the closures reduce risk to…Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Banff Tour Guide
Your drive to Great Divide Trail at Lake Louise, 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.
See the Banff audio tourRecorded for this area
Lake Louise and the Lakeshore0:00 / 0:32
“You're coming up on Lake Louise, where the public shore looks straight toward Victoria Glacier between the mountains. You don't need a big hike for that view.”
Plays on the road 0.7 km from the trailhead in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Ice Beneath the Boulders
- Lake Louise Village: Advice, Lunch and the Old Tram Route
- Lake Louise Campgrounds: Choose the Right Section
- The Bird That Spirals Up a Tree
- 185 audio storiesacross Banff’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Grizzly Bear, Brown Bear, Gray Wolf, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 162 trails, 90 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.”
Trail guide
Hiking Great Divide Trail at Lake Louise
The full routeThe Great Divide follows former Highway 1A west from Lake Louise, across the continental divide…
The Great Divide follows former Highway 1A west from Lake Louise, across the continental divide and into Yoho. The route is 9.8 km one way, so the full return is about 19.6 km (12.2 mi); allow roughly 6 to 7 hours on foot. This is a long road walk on rough pavement with a mild overall grade, not a summit hike. The timber boundary arch is about 7.1 km from the Lake Louise end; walking to it and back is still about 14.3 km (8.9 mi), but cuts off the final stretch into Yoho.
Following the old roadStart at the Lake Louise end and follow the former highway west.
Start at the Lake Louise end and follow the former highway west. It is closed to motor vehicles but shared with cyclists. Heading west, the official profile gains about 115 m and loses roughly 205 to 210 m, so the return climbs back over the larger descents. This is an out-and-back with no loop or shortcut; choose your turnaround before you leave.
The Great DivideThis old road once carried travelers to Lake Louise.
This old road once carried travelers to Lake Louise. A timber arch over the pavement marks the Alberta–British Columbia boundary. Nearby, a short side path reaches Divide Creek and an interpretive sign about the watershed. The arch and creek are the route’s clearest landmarks; the old road continues beyond them into Yoho.
Winter and accessIn winter, the corridor is groomed for classic cross-country skiing and skating, generally from…
In winter, the corridor is groomed for classic cross-country skiing and skating, generally from November through April. In summer it is a walk or ride on the same shared route. Lake Louise Lakeshore parking is the listed access, about 4 km from the community, with paid parking and transit service. A national park pass is required on the Yoho side, and dogs may come along on leash.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Banff
123 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
69 sightingsMooseMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
466 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 9 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Banff. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
