Hiking Burstall Pass and Snow Peak in Kananaskis Country

If I were to tell a friend which hikes to prioritize in Canada, I would recommend the Burstall Pass trail in Kananaskis Country. It’s a fantastic hike that isn’t too challenging and will take them to incredible views as they hike up and reach the physical Burstall Pass.

Plus, it gives you access to summit one of the easier mountains in the area, Snow Peak, which offers 10/10 views once you reach the top.

And this is all without fall colors. Once the larches begin to turn, Burstall Pass will get crowded. But for good reason. The slopes will turn a deep yellow as peak colors hit, transforming this basin into a sea of gold.

While most people venture into Banff National Park for the Icefields Parkway and maybe Yoho National Park, fewer people trek down to the gems in Kananaskis Country. I think you should, and I know you’ll love it!

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Amazing Fall Colors Hiking Burstall Pass Trail with a bonus summit of Snow Peak

One Minute Trail Details for Burstall Pass in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park:

• AllTrails Info
• Location: Alberta, Canada
• Distance: 10 miles
• Elevation Gain: Alltrails says 2,400. I think it’s more like 1,500.
• Difficulty: Moderate-Hard
• Time on Trail: Most of the day
• Trailhead
• Snow Peak Summit Stats: 12.5 miles, 3,400 feet of gain, 7.5 hours on the trail (Garmin info)

Trip Report up Burstall Pass and to Snow Peak

Beginning the Burstall Pass Hike

So many people raved about the larch trees on Burstall Pass that I put it on the top of my list for my week-long adventure into Canada for fall colors.

At 10 miles and with less than 2,000 feet of gain, it’s a medium/hard hike, but honestly, nothing too challenging; the most elevation gain occurs near the end. (The hardest part is probably hiking at altitude – especially coming from Seattle.)

The first 2.5 to 3 miles of the trail are relatively straightforward and mostly flat. (There’s a 250-foot incline at the half-mile mark.) After that, it’s mellow, providing a nice opportunity to warm up the body and lungs.

Around the 2.4-mile mark, you’ll pass an open area where you will cross Burstall Creek. We took this opportunity to enjoy the sun and each lunch; the views of Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, including Commonwealth Peak to the North and various jagged peaks to the South, looked impressive.

Once you hit three miles, the incline begins up to Burstall Pass. There’s a short, flat section in the middle to help you catch your breath. Thankfully, it’s a pretty quick ascent.

This is also where you’ll start to see the larches. Unfortunately for us, we were 3-5 days early, and the larches were just beginning their transition from green to yellow.

Burstall Pass

Burstall Pass offers some incredible views and serves as a gateway into Banff National Park. My friend, with whom I hiked, hadn’t been into Banff yet, so we walked down the trail a bit to make sure we crossed into the highway park’s boundaries.

At the pass, you can see Assiniboine’s peaks, as well as dozens of jagged mountain tops around you. I was blown away.

If this is your turnaround point, you’re in for a treat. However, if you’re looking to elevate your experience and take your views to the next level, hiking Snow Peak is a fantastic option that is non-technical and rad.

Optional Summit of Snow Peak

After we had been on Burstall Pass for a bit, I suggested we go up the hill a bit and see what the views would be like. On the wya, we passed two women who had just summited Snow Peak, and they said it was “easy” (when I say easy, I mean non-technical and just a walk).

So, we agreed to keep going up and see how far we would make it. Well, lo and behold, we summited Snow Peak. And holy crap, it was amazing!

The trail is a mixture of scree, but not the worst I’ve been on. It then moves to harder rock towards the top. There were a few sections where you had to use your hands to navigate, but nothing was particularly challenging or dangerous.

From the top of Snow Peak, you had 360-degree views of the Canadian Rockies and Kananaskis Country. It was honestly some of the most brilliant views I’ve ever seen.

Three years earlier, I had gone up Smutwood Peak, and I realized that was what we were looking down on just north of the peak. It’s one of the most popular trails in Alberta.

We stayed up until about 30 minutes before sunset as the temperatures were beginning to fall, and we wanted to go a bit further down the mountain before darkness completely enveloped us.

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The descent was quick and harmless to the main trail. From there, we cruised down the nicely defined trail, getting back to the trailhead around 9:15.

More Hikes You’ll Love in the Area:
Lake O’Hara in Yoho NP
Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass in Banff NP

Gear Suggestions for the Hike and Summit

A few suggestions for the trek. The warmer gear is geared for those doing this in the fall as temperatures drop.

• Hiking Pants
• Long-sleeve Sunhoodie or Wool Baselayer
• Down jacket
• Rain Jacket
• 30L backpack w/ water bladder
• Hiking Poles
• Hiking Boots
• Beanie
• Gloves
• Snacks
• Camera Gear (Canon R5, RF 100-500, RF 24-105)

Lodging Options in Canmore or Banff

The closest lodging options are in Canmore, followed by Banff, approximately 20 minutes west. Neither will be cheap, but you will have plenty of places to stay on your trip.

Hotels

Hotels closer to Lake Louise

Solo/Younger Travelers: HI Lake Louise Hostel—I’ve stayed here twice, and it’s been awesome. It’s one of the best-located hostels, and for the price point, it’s super affordable!
HI Lake Louise Hostel – HI Banff Hostel
Mid-Range Options: Mountaineer Lodge – Deer Lodge – Lake Louise Inn
Luxury Options: Emerald Lake Lodge – Chateau Lake Louise – Baker Creek by Basecamp

Campgrounds

There are plenty of campgrounds in the Kananaskis area, as well as up by Banff. During the summer weekends, you may have more difficulty finding openings. But in the fall, these should be easy to reserve.

When I went the last week of September, the Elkwood Campground was pretty empty. It’s a fantastic place to camp in for fall colors!

Photos from Burstall Pass and Snow Peak (Must-See!)

This hike was one of my favorites in 2024 and even made the cover image below. (I’d love it if you could watch and subscribe!)

FAQ: Hiking Burstall Pass

When are peak fall colors for the Banff and Kananaskis Country?

This tends to vary a bit, but it is generally the last week of September and into early October. For my trip in 2024, it started a little later than I was expecting. Also, it can vary by location. ‘

By the end of our trip, the colors were nearing peak in the Banff area, but seemed to be a few days slower in Kananaskis Country.

Can it snow in late September or early October in the Canadian Rockies?

Yes, it can! The first time I hiked here in 2021, we got snowed on at least once around October 3. The weather can fluctuate, so be sure to pack warm gear in case the temperature drops.

Should I be worried about bears around Burstall Pass?

Yes, there is always a risk of a bear encounter in Canada. And this is especially possible in Kananaskis Country. While I’ve never seen one on a trail, we did see one down in the meadows around the Visitor Center one morning.

Make sure you have bear spray on you at all times and make it easily accessible. Additionally, hiking with others will decrease the risk of a negative outcome.

In addition to hiking, are there any tours worth checking out in the area?

Check out this Viator page I created with awesome tours in the Banff National Park region. I think you’ll really enjoy them! If you use GetYourGuide, I also have options available.

Final Thoughts on the Burstall Pass hike and Snow Peak Summit

You are going to LOVE hiking Burstall Pass. It’s a perfect Canadian Rockies hike with awesome views, but you don’t have to push your body too far. Obviously, it’s a long day on he trail, but I think you can do it!

Be sure to explore other hikes in the area, such as Sarrail Ridge, Tent Ridge, Read’s Tower, and Pocaterra Ridge.

Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.

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