About the Great Divide Trail
The Great Divide Trail (in short GDT) is a Canadian wilderness thru hike that goes along the British Columbia and Alberta state borders. It was first introduced in 1975, so it’s a somewhat old hiking trail. Only some parts of it are officially recognized by the state parks, so some sections are unmarked, but still easily navigatable. It crosses the Canadian Rockies starting at Waterton Lakes National Park (US-Canada border) and ends at the Kawka Provincial Park (Northern end of the Rockies). The Great Divide Trail is essentially a northern extension of the Continental Divide Trail (the CDT goes from Mexico to Canada). It takes you through breathtakingly-beautiful wildernesses, with many blossoming alpine meadows, steep valleys and cliffs, and dense pine forests of the Canadian Rockies.
Statistics About the GDT
- Start point: Boundary Bay Backcountry Camp, United States – Canada border
- End point: Bastille Creek Bridge, British Columbia, Canada
- Total distance: 698 miles / 1123 km
- Total altitude gain/loss: 88 645 ft / 27 019 m
- Highest point: 8497 ft / 2590 m (Unnamed Pass)
- Countries crossed: Canada
- States crossed: British Columbia, Alberta
- National parks crossed: Waterton Lakes NP, Banff NP, Kootenay NP, Yoho NP, and Jasper NP
- Time to finish: Usually 7-9 weeks
- Record finish: 20 days
- Best time to hike: June-September
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