Parking
Use the Cascade Trailhead access for this route, not the Lake Minnewanka day-use parking lot. Confirm current Parks Canada access and parking conditions before departure; the approach is remote and the route itself is unmaintained.
Overview
About Mount Inglismaldie Route
This is a demanding, unmaintained out-and-back scramble from the Cascade Trailhead to the 2,964 m summit of Mount Inglismaldie. Plan on about 16.6 km (10.3 miles) round trip, roughly 1,450 m of gain, and 8–10 hours for most parties. The summit delivers broad views over Lake Minnewanka, the Bow Valley, the Fairholme Range, Cascade Mountain, and Mount Rundle.
Why go
- Wide views over Lake Minnewanka, the Bow Valley, and the Fairholme Range from the upper route and summit
- A demanding, quiet objective for experienced scramblers
Heads up
- Long, unmaintained route with steep loose scree and talus
- Route-finding is required and the upper scramble is exposed in places
- No reliable water on route
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Banff map
Full mapElevation1,451–2,923 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
8 active Banff alerts
- ClosureLake Minnewanka and Aylmer area closureMentions Lake Minnewanka, referenced in this guideLake 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 Mount Inglismaldie Route, 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
- Ancient Campsites of Lake Minnewanka
- Two Jack Lake: Reflections and Calm Waters
- Two Jack Main Campground: Quiet Forest Camping
- Banff Hoodoos Viewpoint and a Photo Tip
- 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 Mount Inglismaldie Route
What to expectThe lower approach moves through forest and rough terrain before turning into steep, loose…
The lower approach moves through forest and rough terrain before turning into steep, loose scree and talus. There is no maintained hiking trail to rely on, and route-finding becomes important as the line leaves the trees. The summit push involves exposed Class 2–3 scrambling, so this is for experienced scramblers who are comfortable using their hands and managing loose rock.
Access and preparationStart at the Cascade Trailhead and carry a GPS track, sturdy footwear, poles, a helmet for…
Start at the Cascade Trailhead and carry a GPS track, sturdy footwear, poles, a helmet for loose upper terrain, and all water you need. Parking and access are managed within Banff National Park; check Parks Canada access information before setting out and carry the required park pass. Keep wildlife distance, carry bear spray, and never treat intermittent cairns as a maintained route.
Best conditionsThe route is best attempted when the rock is dry and the seasonal snow has melted.
The route is best attempted when the rock is dry and the seasonal snow has melted. Avoid wet or snowy conditions that make the scree and exposed scrambling substantially less secure, and allow a generous weather window for the descent.
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.
