Cory Pass Hike, Banff National Park

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It took me over a decade of living in Calgary for me to do the Cory Pass hike. Don’t leave it that long. The views once you’ve climbed about 20 minutes up from the turnoff to Cory Pass are great – and they continue to enchant for several hours. This is a difficult hike and not one for those who hate a lot of elevation gain (about 900 m over just 4.5 km) or dislike airy trails. There is a long section of hiking across open slopes with steep gullies that you must navigate to reach Cory Pass – a great place to stop for lunch and take in the mountain landscape.  

The views from Cory Pass are like no other I’ve seen in Banff National Park – dramatic, austere, magnificent, and reminiscent of a fabulous hiking trip to Zanskar in northern India. The descent from Cory Pass wasn’t as gnarly as I expected it to be. There was plenty of scree, but after losing about 100 m of elevation, the grade moderated and some of the scree was the good kind, where you could plunge step and make good time. When you get to the trail in the trees, you’ll probably just want to be back at the trailhead. The last 4 km or so of the Cory Pass hike isn’t as interesting, but at least it’s easy.

Some people do an out and back on the Cory Pass trail, but I love a good loop hike and found it easy to find the trail on the backside of Edith Mountain. 

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Looking back towards Cory Pass

Cory Pass hike summary

Distance: Approximately 11.6 km (7.2 miles) return as an out and back hike or 13.0 km (8.1 miles) as a loop hike around Mt. Edith 

Elevation: 900 m (2,953 feet) to Cory Pass, 1,000 m (3,281 feet) on the circuit around Mt. Edith

Level of difficulty: Hard

Time needed: 4.5 – 6 hours.

Best time to do the Cory Pass hike: Any time after the snow has melted, so late June or early July – until the snow flies again. You do not want to be on the steep narrow trails with snow unless you have considerable experience with an ice axe and self arrest!

Backcountry campsites: None on the hike.

Dogs permitted: Yes, but this hike is exposed and there isn’t any water except at the very start and end – and some dogs might have a tough time on the scree.

Watch your foot placement on the steep down climb

Cory Pass hike trailhead location

To get to the Cory Pass trail take the exit off the Trans-Canada Highway, onto Highway 1A – west of Banff, also called the Bow Valley Parkway. Drive north for half a kilometre and turn right onto an access road that takes you to the Fireside Picnic Area. It’s a kilometre up the road to reach the parking lot.

The formal Cory Pass trail starts on the far side of the creek. When I did it there wasn’t a bridge in place so be prepared to rock hop. You know you’re in the right place when you see the remains of a rock fireplace and picnic tables.

You’ll have to rock hop this stream to get started on the Cory Pass trail

Cory Pass hike description

I had expected more route-finding issues on the hike to Cory Pass and Edith Pass. It’s quite straightforward as long as you stay high near the end of the scree section on the descent, but be prepared for a workout after the first kilometre.

To start the hike to Cory Pass, cross the stream via rocks and logs to the Fireside Picnic Area as there is no bridge in place right now. (There is a big bridge on land that looks like it is ready to be moved). Hike 1.1 km through a coniferous forest, to reach a junction. Turn left to head to Cory Pass. If you do the loop hike, you’ll end up back here near the end of the hike.

Checking the mileage for the Cory Pass hike

The first kilometre on the Cory Pass trail is an easy walk through the woods

Start climbing up an open slope on a steep, can’t-catch-your-breath grade. At 1.7 km reach the Cory Knoll Viewpoint. Enjoy views in either direction as shown below.

It doesn’t take long when you start climbing towards Cory Pass to get some great views; this is looking towards the Banff townsite

Looking northwest on the direction of Lake Louise from the Cory Pass trail

Continue hiking up through the forest to a ridge offering the first view of Cory Pass off in the distance. To the right in the photo below is 2,553-m high Mt. Edith and to the left is 2,801-m high Mt. Cory.

The Cory Pass trail follows the ridgeline at a modest grade save for one steep section. At the top of the forested ridge at the 2.4 km mark, there’s a cliff-band that requires a steep, but not difficult down climb. It’s marked by paint on the rocks and there is one hiker sign part way down. From the base of the cliff stay on the obvious but narrow trail as it gradually climbs the open southwest slope of Mt. Edith towards Cory Pass. 

Fun fact: Mount Edith, pictured on the right below, is named for Edith Orde, assistant to Lady Agnes MacDonald, the wife of Sir John A. MacDonald.

First view of Cory Pass in the distance

Heading up the cliff band is easier than this photo might suggest – notice the paint on the rock to keep you on track

A few more steps and you’re down the steep rocky section

Some hikers might find the trail across the open slopes too airy for their liking. I didn’t like crossing the rock gullies or the avalanche chutes, but they were short. The rock gullies can be problematic if there is snow. I never like to linger in these areas in case of rockfall.

Top out at Cory Pass at 5.5 km and an elevation of 2,360 m. This is a great place to linger over lunch, but don’t forget some warm clothes as the wind blows up here on a regular basis.

Hiking across the open slopes of Mount Edith

Looking back from where we’d come

Our scenic lunch spot just out of the wind below Cory Pass

The descent from Cory Pass

Looking down from Cory Pass I saw nothing but scree. It looks a bit dodgy at the top but if you take your time, you’ll be through the worst section of it in about 10 minutes. Then the grade moderated, and I found the rest of the scree was easy to hike through. The trail curves through what is called the Gargoyle Valley, though it looked to me that the only gargoyle-like rocks were at Cory Pass. You’ll have to be the judge.

Don’t forget to look back at Cory Pass as the mountain scene is spectacular. I’d also suggest slowing down and savouring this part of the Cory Pass hike, especially near Mount Louis, a fang of grey limestone considered to be one of the most difficult rock climbs in Banff National Park. Although we didn’t see any climbers, we did notice a lot of climber trails in the area.

Continue through the scree and rocks to reach an open area. Stay high, crossing a boulder field, while looking for cairns. In the trees sharp-eyed people will see an orange sign. When you get closer, you’ll recognize it as a hiker – which means you’re on the right track.

Looking down to the trail we’ll be taking to complete the Cory Pass-Edith Pass loop

Starting down the austere backside of Cory Pass

Lots of scree but what a nice grade on the descent from Cory Pass

Almost finished the rocky section on the Cory Pass hike

Enjoy grand views of Mt. Louis

Into the woods to complete the Cory Pass hike

Gain about 100 m again once you’re in the trees, and then descend to reach 1,950-metre-high Edith Pass. Go right and descend through the forest, initially steeply and then the grade moderates. (If you went left, you’d end up at Forty Mile Creek). After a further 2.9 km of not so interesting hiking, reach the junction where you started the climb to Cory Pass. You’re only 15 – 20 minutes from the parking lot now and back in familiar territory.

Do not descend into this valley – stay high instead

Cross a scree-vegetation slope (below this view) to reach a trail in the woods with a bright orange hiker sign on it

Lots of uninteresting walking in the woods for last few kilometres on the Cory Pass hike

A wildflower filled section means your almost back to the Cory Pass trailhead

Places to stay in Banff National Park

Some of my favourite hotels in Banff include the Moose Hotel – great location, Buffalo Mountain Lodge – excellent restaurant and wood-burning fireplaces plus a huge outdoor hot tub and the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel when I’m looking to splurge.

One of the best family-friendly options is the Canalta Lodge – with bunk beds in some rooms. And the Dorothy Motel is Banff’s first boutique motel.

Map of our Cory Pass hike

The loop we did in the hike to Cory Pass and Edith Pass

Further reading on great hikes in Banff National Park

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