Great Divide Trail
Description
- Name Great Divide Trail (GDT)
- Length of trail 1,127 km, 700 miles
- Length in days 80 days
- Traildino grading SW, Strenuous walk, mountain trail
- Hut tour grading T2, Mountain walk
Waterton - Kakwa, 1200 km (700 miles)
The Great Divide Trail is a wilderness hiking trail in the magnificent Canadian Rockies. It connects to the USA Continental Divide Trail. The trail closely follows the Continental Divide between Alberta and British Columbia.
The trail crosses many national and provincial parks. However, it is not officially recognised by the authorities. Therefore, most of the trail is unsigned. Only the 100 km stretch in Alberta Crown Forest Reserve are maintained by the Friends of the Great Divide Trail.
The trail passes through five national parks, seven provincial parks and four wilderness areas. The character of the trail changes from tourist trail to backcountry trail and crosscountry route. The backcountry bushwalking is very much a contrast to hiking in the national parks. Therefore, thruhiking is the exception, and the great sounding name and great promise of this trail do not reflect any popularity of it.
Opinions

- Canadoug July 2010
- Rate 10
- Positive The breathtaking views, the ruggedness, abundant wildlife, amazing waterfalls and deep cut gorges, glacier topped peaks and glistening aquamarine high mountain lakes
- Negative The confusing ATV trails around the Castle Mtn/Crowsnest section, and the high amount of blowdowns and overgrowth in the national park section of Yoho/Banff on the Amiskwi/ Howse Pass trail
Map
Links
Facts
- Great Divide Trail
Home page of the Great Divide Trail. Sources of information, trailconditions, waypoinst, links, forum, guidebook and more.
- Spirit Eagle – thruhiking Canada’s Great Divide Trail
Hiking, planning, resupply, camping, navigation, guidebook and a GDT journal: good place to start your own 700 mile walk.
- Great Divide Trail - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Hiking the Great Divide Trail, Alberta - Canada Trails
Fact sheet for the Great Divide Trail.
Reports
- Trail Journals, Backpacking and Hiking Journals
All trail journals from the popular www.trailjournals.com regarding the Great Divide Trail.
- The Great Divide Trail
Detailed account of a hike in 2004, map, "dealing with permits", many pictures, gear and updates to the guidebook.