Visit the Healy Pass trail in Banff and prepare to be wowed by the natural scenery in the Canadian Rockies. This hike is well known for the wildflowers that carpet the meadows in summer and the golden larches that blanket the landscape in fall. It’s a hike that will leave a lasting impression for years to come.
My husband and I got the chance to visit Banff during larch season and it was one of the most incredible things we’ve seen with our own eyes… which is saying something after traveling full time for three years!
But, we were able to hike Healy Pass right as the larches peaked and it was absolutely mind-blowing. 🤯 I have never seen anything so beautiful. It felt like we had been transported to a different world with golden hues surrounding us everywhere. You have to add this hike to your Banff fall or summer itinerary!
Are you ready for the hike of your life? I’ve created this complete trail guide to Healy Pass with everything you need to know. This guide has directions on getting there, a detailed trail description, and tips on when to visit. Your jaw will be on the floor when you see this place for yourself!
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Table of Contents
Planning Your Hike on the Healy Pass Trail
Below you’ll find everything you need to plan your hike to Healy Pass. This section includes tips for your visit, details on when to go, and directions for getting to the trailhead! You’ll be ready to plan an amazing excursion out here!
Healy Pass Trail Quick Stats
Distance: 11 miles (17.7 km)
Elevation: 2900 feet of gain (885 meters)
Type: Out and Back
Length: 5-7 hours
Difficulty: Hard
Healy Pass Trail Location
The Healy Pass trail leaves from the Sunshine Village Ski Resort in Banff National Park, Canada. This scenic area of Alberta has tons of fantastic trails that wind their way through the Canadian Rockies. 🏔
Sunshine Village is about 20 minutes from downtown Banff, 30 minutes from Canmore, and 35 minutes from Lake Louise. So, it’s well located and easily accessible from many of the most popular areas to stay.
Things to Know Before You Go
💵 There is a $11 Daily Fee per adult for Banff National Park. You can also get a Parks Canada Discovery Pass either for one adult or for a family/group. That will get you entry to the parks for a year!
⛈ Weather changes quickly in the mountains, which means you should be prepared for inclement weather. Thunderstorms are common during the afternoon in the summertime.
⛺️ There are a few backcountry campgrounds along the Healy Pass Trail including Healy Creek and Egypt Lake. You will need reservations in advance.
🥾 This trail is known for getting muddy after rain, so just be prepared with shoes you don’t mind getting covered. Do not go off trail, please just walk through the mud!
🐻 This is bear country, so pack bear spray and stay bear aware on the trail. If you go in the fall, bears are preparing to hibernate, which means they are more aggressive.
🦮 Pets are allowed on the Healy Pass trail, but just keep in mind that it’s rather long!
🍃 Remember to follow the Leave No Trace Principles. As always, you want to leave nature looking better than you found it.
Getting to Healy Pass
Healy Pass is easily accessible from the Sunshine Village Resort by car or shuttle. It’s about 80 miles or 135 kilometers from the Calgary International Airport. ✈️
This ski resort has a very large parking lot, so you can drive to the base and park. However, if you plan on visiting on a weekend during peak season, then I would get there early in the morning to secure a spot.
If you plan on renting a car to get around, check out rentalcars.com for the cheapest rates. 🚗
Luckily, because of its popularity there is also a shuttle that runs from Banff and Lake Louise to the Sunshine Village Resort. 🚌 This shuttle runs from late June through mid September and then again for ski season in the winter. You can look at shuttle times here.
Best Time to Hike Healy Pass
There are two times of year that Healy Pass has remarkable scenery: the wildflower bloom in summer 🌺 and the golden larches appearance in fall 🍂.
The best time to hike Healy Pass is during the wildflower bloom in late summer and the larches appearance in fall. 📅
Wildflowers Healy Pass
During the summer, wildflowers begin to bloom and take over the landscape with a mixture of reds, purples, and yellows. It’s known as one of the best wildflower hikes in the area!
You can check wildflower conditions on Alltrails.
These flowers usually begin to appear in mid-July, but they flourish by the end of the month into mid-August. It’s an enchanting sight as flowers cover the landscape 🌸🌺. I haven’t got a chance to visit during this time, but it’s on my list.
Larches Healy Pass
Then, later in autumn the larches begin to change color to a stunning golden hue. 💛Larches are a conifer tree that shed their needles in the fall. However, before they shed their needles they turn a vibrant yellow hue.
These usually peak sometime in late September or early October. But, you can check conditions online or at the Banff visitor center. Once you get to Healy Pass, you’ll see clusters of golden larches below ragged mountain peaks.
We went in late September and it was truly the most stunning scenery I have ever seen! I couldn’t believe my eyes as golden colors blanketed the enter scene.
Packing Guide for the Healy Pass Trail
Like most mountainous hikes, the most important thing you can do is pack plenty of layers! I don’t think I’ve ever been as cold as when we were at the peak of this trail. Although it had been sunny and warm, wind blew in and howled around us until my hands were numb. So, take it from me, you definitely want warm and waterproof layers!
After rain, the Healy Pass trail gets incredibly muddy. There were many times we had to navigate the mud. So bring poles and shoes you don’t mind covering in mud!
Also, when you are hiking in bear country, it’s very important to pack bear spray and know how to use it before you go! If you are flying into Banff, there are some gear stores in town that will rent out bear spray to you.
Packing List for Healy Pass
- Comfortable Hiking Boots
- Day Pack
- Hiking poles
- Water Reservoir
- 1-2 Liters of Water
- Snacks and Food
- First Aid Kit
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Bear Spray
- Headlamp
- Shelter
- Rain jacket
- Light winter jacket
- Base Layer
- Good Hiking Pants/Bottoms
- Winter Hat
- Gloves
- Satellite phone
Healy Pass Trail Description
Now, let’s get into the fun stuff. I’ve written this detailed Healy Pass trail guide, so that you’ll be prepared for your trek. If you have any questions at all, just leave them in the comments. Happy hiking!
Sunshine Village to Healy Creek Campground
Once you park at Sunshine Village, the first part you’ll need to navigate is finding the trail. If you walk past the buildings to the right and continue towards the trees, you will see the trailhead. From there, you can begin your hike.
It starts on a large gravel road uphill and continues for about half a mile (.8 km) until you get to the trail junction. At this point, you’ll want to take the right path ➡️ that goes a bit downhill before crossing over a footbridge.
If you are going after precipitation, this is where the trail begins to get muddy… and it doesn’t stop until the meadows. So, try your best to navigate the mud and do not go off trail. Our shoes were pretty much covered by the time we got back!
This part of the trail is fairly boring as you walk through a tree covered pathway for 2ish slow miles. At this point I was wondering if it was worth it, with no views and muddy shoes. But, trust me it is!
Finally, you’ll come to the backcountry campground 🏕 with a few designated sites at just over 3 miles or 5 kilometers. At this point, you’re about halfway there!
Distance: 3.3 miles (5.3 km)
Elevation: 1100 Feet (330 meters)
Campground to Meadows
Finally, the trail begins to get a little more interesting and also a bit more difficult at this part. As soon as you leave the campground, you’ll see Simpson Pass trail to your right. You can add this on or continue right.
We were racing the sun, so we continued to the right. Along the way, you’ll make two steep ascents in the trees over some rocky paths. It’s tough, but just take your time and you will make it.
As, you get towards the end of this stretch, the trees begin to thin and you’ll see peaks of larches and mountain peaks. 👀 It’s definitely motivating to get you through to the end!
Finally, you’ll walk out of the trees to one of my favorite views with a bridge over the creek and the large mountain peak of the Monarch to your left. It’s time to truly take in some remarkable scenery!
Distance: 1.4 miles (2.25 km)
Elevation: 700 Feet (213 meters)
Meadows to Healy Pass
As the forest opens up, you’ll feel as if you’re walking into a paradise. Either one that is wildflower covered or filled with the most exquisite golden hues!
When I think back on this hike, I truly only remember this last mile of the trail. I’ve been on hundreds of hikes and this was one of the most spectacular and jaw dropping. 😮This last mile took us so long, because I just kept stopping taking pictures and marveling at the views!
As you follow the path, you’ll walk over the creek a couple times and then up the mountain to the final viewpoints over the area. Although you’ll gain a significant elevation, the vistas will offer plenty of distraction.
Finally, you’ll crest to the top of the Pass and WOW!!! 🤩 You will be surrounded with 360 degree views of the magical Rockies. I’ve seriously never loved a view more than I loved this one!
Down below, you’ll see Egypt Lake with the Monarch towering over it and if you’ve timed it right wildflowers or larches as far as the eye can see. Sit down for a break on the large rock and take in this amazing area before heading back.
It was all worth it.
Final Tips for Hiking the Healy Pass Trail
Now, it’s time for you to take on the Healy Pass trail! Before you go, just make sure to pack enough water and food for your hike. It can feel really long as you walk through the trees, but the end has such an incredible payoff. So, take your time and enjoy the reward at the end!
I hope you enjoy this hike as much as we did!
Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed this trail guide.
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