Parking
Use the Lake Louise Lakeshore parking lot, about 4 km from the community of Lake Louise. Parking is paid and can fill during busy periods; transit access is available. A valid Banff National Park pass is required.
Overview
About Saddleback Pass
Saddleback Pass is a demanding Lake Louise out-and-back to an open alpine pass between Fairview Mountain and Saddle Mountain: 7.2 km (4.5 miles) round trip, 600 m of elevation gain, and about 3–4 hours. The stored line follows the 3.6 km one-way route from the lakeshore boathouse to Saddleback Pass; it does not continue to the Fairview Mountain summit or into Paradise Valley.
Why go
- Open views toward Mount Temple and Paradise Valley from the pass
- Golden larches make the route especially scenic in fall
- Shorter alpine objective than continuing to the Fairview Mountain summit
Heads up
- Sustained 600 m climb over 3.6 km one way
- Lower route is mostly forested and the return descent is steep
- Avalanche terrain and seasonal mountain conditions require careful planning
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Banff map
Full mapElevation1,737–2,329 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 Saddleback 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 area
The Fairmont Chateau and Lake Louise ShorelineListen
“You're now arriving at the main shoreline area of Lake Louise, centered around the historic Fairmont Chateau hotel. This is where you'll find that famous postcard view of the lake and Victoria Glacier.”
Plays near this trailhead in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Teahouses in the Sky: Lake Agnes and Plain of Six Glaciers
- Deer Lodge: A Historic Lodge Near the Lake
- Great Divide Trail: An Easy Walk on an Old Highway
- Paradise Lodge: Walk-In Access to Lake Louise
- 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 Saddleback Pass
The routeStart at the boathouse on the shore of Lake Louise and climb steadily through spruce and larch…
Start at the boathouse on the shore of Lake Louise and climb steadily through spruce and larch forest on a long series of switchbacks. The trees gradually thin near the pass, where the trail opens to views toward Mount Temple, Paradise Valley, Mount Lefroy, and the surrounding peaks. The route is non-technical but sustained, with a short section of uneven, rocky footing near the pass. Return the same way.
Access and planningUse the Lake Louise Lakeshore parking lot, about 4 km from the community of Lake Louise.
Use the Lake Louise Lakeshore parking lot, about 4 km from the community of Lake Louise. Parking is paid and busy periods can fill the lot; transit access is available. A valid Banff National Park pass is required. Dogs are permitted on leash. Carry water, bear spray, and traction or poles when conditions warrant.
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.
