Satellite map of Banff-Windermere Parkway

British Columbia · Canada

Banff-Windermere Parkway

BC 93Castle Junction to Radium Hot Springs

Distance65.2 mi105 km
Drive time2 h 10 minon the road
DifficultyModeratetightness 5 of 10
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Opened in 1923 as the first motor road across the central Rockies, 105 kilometres from Castle Junction over the Continental Divide at Vermilion Pass to Radium Hot Springs. The finale drops past Marble Canyon and the Paint Pots into Sinclair Canyon.

Opened in 1923 as the first motor road across the central Rockies, this 105 kilometre route runs between the Trans-Canada near Castle Junction and Radium Hot Springs. It crosses the Continental Divide at Vermilion Pass, then descends past Marble Canyon and the Paint Pots into Sinclair Canyon. Mind the wildlife, two mountain passes and post-wildfire rockfall.

Scenery

MountainForestValleyGorge

Best seasons

SummerAutumn

In these collections

Where it runs65.2 mi · point to point

Castle JunctionStart · British Columbia
Radium Hot SpringsEnd · British Columbia

Character

Corners50bends
Tightness5of 10
Max gradient8%≈ 1-in-13
Descent1,390 mtotal descent
Summit1,743.6 mhighest point of the line · 5,720 ft

Corners

busiest around mile 64
163349 mi

Elevation

under 4%4–8%over 8%888.1 – 1,743.6 m
summit · 1,743.6 m 1,0001,2001,4001,600 m 03365 mi

From the road

Points of interest3 stops

  • Castle Junction Bridge ViewpointViewpoint
    0.4 mi in
  • Hector Gorge ViewpointViewpoint
    36 mi in
  • Kootenay Valley ViewpointViewpoint
    55 mi in

Hazards

  • Wildlife on road
  • Rockfall in burn areas
  • Sudden mountain weather

Sources

Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked

Driving the Banff-Windermere Parkway: quick answers

How long does it take to drive the Banff-Windermere Parkway?
Banff-Windermere Parkway runs 65.2 miles (105 km) and takes about 2 h 10 min to drive without stops.
How difficult is the Banff-Windermere Parkway to drive?
We rate it moderate: 50 corners, a maximum gradient of 8%, and a tightness of 5 out of 10.
When is the best time to drive the Banff-Windermere Parkway?
Summer and Autumn are best.

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