A scenic paved road to Vermilion Pass in the Canadian Rockies

A scenic paved road to Vermilion Pass in the Canadian Rockies

Canada, north-america

Length

9 km

Elevation

1,647 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the Banff-Windermere Highway (also known as British Columbia Highway 93), right on the border between Alberta and British Columbia. You're climbing to Vermilion Pass, a sweet spot at 1,647 meters (that's 5,403 feet!) above sea level.

Nestled within Banff National Park and smack-dab on the Continental Divide, this pass has serious history. Think fur traders and early explorers – it’s been a vital route for ages! The name comes from those awesome iron oxide springs just a few kilometers away.

The road itself? Smooth sailing – it's paved the whole way! The drive is about 105 km (or 65 miles) from Radium Hot Springs, over in BC's East Kootenay region, all the way to Castle Junction in Alberta's Banff National Park.

Word to the wise: you're in the Canadian Rockies, which means subarctic vibes! Expect heavy snow in winter, so be prepared for icy conditions. But don't let that scare you – the scenery is absolutely breathtaking!

Where is it?

A scenic paved road to Vermilion Pass in the Canadian Rockies is located in Canada (north-america). Coordinates: 58.5734, -107.0877

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Road Details

Country
Canada
Continent
north-america
Length
9 km
Max Elevation
1,647 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
58.5734, -107.0877

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