Parking
Small parking lot east of Highway 93N, 16.5 km north of Saskatchewan Crossing; no toilets at the trailhead.
Overview
About Sunset Pass
Why go
- Panoramic pass views that include turquoise Pinto Lake
- Glorious late‑season golden meadows with far fewer crowds
Heads up
- Brutally steep first 3 km with 35+ switchbacks
- Creek crossing gets harder as levels rise later in the day
- No facilities at the trailhead
Sunset Pass is a quiet, strenuous Icefields Parkway hike to an expansive alpine meadow with broad views west to major peaks and east into the White Goat Wilderness Area. The route ends at Sunset Pass; the continuation toward Pinto Lake is a separate backcountry option.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy goMap & elevation
The route
Loading the Banff map
Full mapElevation1,448–2,166 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Best time to go
Safety
8 active Banff alerts
- 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
- ClosureLake Minnewanka and Aylmer area closureLake 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
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Banff Tour Guide
Your drive to Sunset 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
Sunset Pass: A Hard-Earned Hike for SolitudeListen
“The trailhead you're passing is for Sunset Pass. This one isn't a casual walk; it's a good choice if you're looking for a quieter trail and don't mind a challenge.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Reading the Ridges: Moraines, Nature’s Dams of the Rockies
- The Parkway's Hidden Plumbing
- Tiny Carnivores by the Parkway: Sundews and Butterworts
- HI Rampart Creek: A Hostel with a Creekside Sauna
- 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 Sunset Pass
The hike, in plain termsThis out-and-back covers about 10.1 miles (16.
This out-and-back covers about 10.1 miles (16.2 km) total and gains about 715 m, with roughly 40 m of elevation loss. It climbs steadily through forest, including 35-plus switchbacks over the first ~2.9 km, then eases toward Norman Creek and the Norman Lake backcountry campground before reaching the meadow at the pass. Allow 6 to 7 hours round trip for the full visitor route.
Vibe and sceneryThe trail is quieter than many Banff classics.
The trail is quieter than many Banff classics. After the steep lower climb, the route opens into Norman’s meadows and a high pass with wide mountain views. Late summer brings wildflowers, while fall turns the willows and grasses gold.
Wildlife and terrainThis is active bear country, and buffaloberries grow along the lower trail.
This is active bear country, and buffaloberries grow along the lower trail. Carry bear spray where it is immediately accessible and know how to use it. Expect rough, rooty singletrack, a Norman Creek crossing, and rapidly changing weather near the pass; trekking poles can help on the steep switchbacks.
Variations and add-onsSunset Lookout is a signed 1.
Sunset Lookout is a signed 1.6 km branch from the route near the top of the initial climb and is not included in this trail’s distance. Backpackers can continue beyond Sunset Pass toward Pinto Lake, but that is a separate longer backcountry itinerary. Norman Lake Campground is the overnight option along the approach for visitors with the required reservation.
Good to knowThe trailhead is a small parking lot east of Highway 93N, 16.
The trailhead is a small parking lot east of Highway 93N, 16.5 km north of Saskatchewan Crossing. There are no toilets at the parking lot. Dogs are allowed on leash, and a Parks Canada pass is required.
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.
