Parking
Use the gravel Sunset Pass pullout on the east side of Icefields Parkway, about 16.5 km north of Saskatchewan River Crossing. It sits at the bottom of a hill and is not signed from the highway.
Overview
About Sunset Pass Trail
Why go
- A dramatic change from steep forest switchbacks to open, willow-filled meadows
- Views of Mount Coleman and Mount Wilson along the high meadow
Heads up
- A long, steep approach with about 725 m of climbing
- Creek crossings and faint tread through dense willows after camp
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Banff map
Full mapElevation1,448–2,176 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 Sunset Pass Trail, 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 trailhead
Sunset Pass Trailhead: Lookout or Meadows0:00 / 0:28
“You're coming up on the Sunset Pass trailhead, where both hikes begin with a steep forest climb.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- The Squirrel Beneath the Cone Pile
- The Hare’s Built-In Snowshoes
- Rampart Creek: A Riverside Night on the Parkway
- Bison by Helicopter
- 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 Sunset Pass Trail
The daySunset Pass is a hard, 16.2 km out-and-back from the Icefields Parkway, climbing 8.
Sunset Pass is a hard, 16.2 km out-and-back from the Icefields Parkway, climbing 8.1 km each way from forest into broad willow meadows and up to a high pass. Allow about 6–7 hours and roughly 725 m of climbing. The steep start, creek crossings and tall willows make this a full-day hike; a Banff park-entry pass is required. Dogs may accompany you on leash.
The first climbThe trail gains height quickly on rocky, root-covered switchbacks.
The trail gains height quickly on rocky, root-covered switchbacks. Short side paths reach views over Norman Creek Falls; return to the main tread after each stop. Near the top of this climb, the Sunset Lookout trail branches away. The pass route continues through forest beyond the junction.
Sunset MeadowsThe woods open into a broad, wet meadow beside Norman Creek.
The woods open into a broad, wet meadow beside Norman Creek. Norman Creek Campground sits in spruce a little way beyond the meadow’s start, with campsites and tables. Past camp, follow the meadow edge and cross the creek again. Tall willows can close over the narrow tread, so pay attention at the marked crossing. The meadow looks toward Mount Coleman, with Mount Wilson behind you to the southwest.
The pass and Pinto Lake viewBeyond the meadow, the path climbs through open subalpine trees to the height of land near the…
Beyond the meadow, the path climbs through open subalpine trees to the height of land near the park boundary, then reaches a pale limestone bench. A short continuation northeast beyond the pass reaches a cliff view toward Pinto Lake; it adds about 0.6 km each way and is outside the mapped 16.2 km out-and-back. The route continues downhill toward Pinto Lake beyond that viewpoint, a much longer backcountry trip.
A separate lookout spurSunset Lookout is a different branch near the upper switchbacks, not part of the pass route.
Sunset Lookout is a different branch near the upper switchbacks, not part of the pass route. It adds about 3.2 km round trip and leads to the remains of an old fire lookout, including foundation pieces and lightning-conductor cables. Treat it as an optional extension and keep daylight for the long return.
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.
