Parking
Use the small parking area just south of the turnoff to Mosquito Creek Campground, about 24 km north of the Lake Louise junction on Hwy 93N. Do not block the campground access road.
Overview
About Molar Pass
Why go
- Extended alpine meadows with peak summer wildflower displays
- Golden larch color in September across the high meadows
Heads up
- Final approach is steep, loose scree that lingers with snow late
- Long, exposed day—wind and fast-changing weather at the pass
Molar Pass is a demanding Icefields Parkway day hike into Banff’s high country, ending in broad alpine meadows above treeline. The route is remote, exposed and rewarding, with big Rockies scenery and far fewer visitors than the park’s headline trails.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy hike itMap & elevation
The route
Loading the Banff map
Full mapElevation1,841–2,297 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Best time to go
Safety
8 active Banff alerts
- ClosureLake Louise area trails and access areas closed for wildlifeMentions Lake Louise, referenced in this guideThe Bow River Trail, Louise Creek Trail, lower Tramline Trail, and Great Divide Trail parking area are closed because the closure prevents wildlife from being displaced from an essential travel…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 Molar Pass, 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
HI Mosquito Creek: Wilderness Hostel and Alpine TrailsListen
“The cluster of cabins coming into view is the HI Mosquito Creek hostel, a true wilderness base right on the parkway. This is a very rustic, off-grid kind of place, popular with hikers and climbers.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Why It’s Called Noseeum Creek: Tiny Biters, Big Role
- Dolomite Country: The Magnesium Rock Shaping This Valley
- The Doctor and the Kicking Horse
- Hector Lake: A Quiet Hike with a River Crossing
- 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.”
Trail guide
Hiking Molar Pass
Trail snapshotFrom the small parking area south of the Mosquito Creek Campground turnoff, the trail climbs…
From the small parking area south of the Mosquito Creek Campground turnoff, the trail climbs through forest and follows Mosquito Creek past the backcountry campground. It continues along the creek corridor before rising toward the open alpine meadows of Molar Pass.
- Distance: 12.2 miles total (19.6 km) out-and-back to Molar Pass
- Elevation gain: about 1,837 ft (560 m)
- Time: plan on 7–8 hours round trip
Trail experienceThe first section is a steady forest approach to the Mosquito Creek campsite.
The first section is a steady forest approach to the Mosquito Creek campsite. Beyond the campsite, the trail remains remote and gradually climbs toward the pass, where the forest gives way to expansive alpine terrain and views of the surrounding peaks. Expect route-finding demands, uneven ground and a steep final approach.
TipsCarry bear spray and travel in a tight group in grizzly habitat.
- Carry bear spray and travel in a tight group in grizzly habitat.
- Bring a map or offline GPS and enough water for a long, remote day.
- Expect lingering snow, loose rock and rapidly changing weather near the pass.
- Backcountry camping beyond the trailhead requires the appropriate Parks Canada permit.
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.
