Categories: Travel

One of the planet’s most spectacular & challenging distance trails traverses the Alberta border

Photo via the Great Divide Trail Association

Hard-core hikers, this one’s for you. Did you know you can journey the crest of the continental divide between Alberta and British Columbia?

The Great Divide Trail runs the continental divide between Alberta and British Columbia. This 1100-kilometre trail wanders through the wilderness of the Canadian Rocky Mountains and is hailed as one of the most breathtaking (figuratively and literally) long-distance trails in the world. However, it’s not for the faint of heart.

The trail isn’t always a trail, often evolving into wilderness routes akin to those travelled by the first Indigenous peoples. While the journey is difficult, it’s an incredible way to discover the Canadian wilderness in a truly magnificent setting.

Plan, plan, and plan some more

You don’t just go out and do the Great Divide Trail. It involves tons of planning, even if you’re only hiking a section.

Because you’ll be camping in a variety of national and provincial parks along the way, it’s best to have all of your park permits in advance. You’ll need a good map, which can be found at GearTrade or on the GDT app. And, of course, it’s imperative you’re well-versed in safety measures regarding navigation, hazards, wildlife, gear, and more. Nobody wants to be that guy who disappears in the Canadian wilderness.

It takes an estimated eight weeks to hike the entire Great Divide Trail, so it’s also a good idea to have a detailed itinerary with campground bookings, resupply locations, and daily distances recorded. Fortunately, you can find a few sample itineraries online and personalize them accordingly.

Don’t have two months to shell out? The Great Divide Trail can be broken down into different sections. Section C is a great Alberta option, running from Elk Pass Trailhead to Feild. The seven-day hike goes through Banff, Kootenary, and Yoho National Park and is a very popular subset for its sought-after campsites along the way.

Visit the Great Divide Trail website for a complete summary of each section, including what to expect and advice to help plan your hike.

If you’re an experienced hiker with the knowledge and skills to tackle this incredible trail, it should be considered a bucket-list item. There’s nothing like a trek through nature to gain a deeper appreciation of the beauty of Western Canada.

Visit GreatDivideTrail.com for a full list of resources.