An iconic road to Kicking Horse Pass in the Canadian Rockies
Canada, north-america
25.8 km
1,683 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, road trippers! Kicking Horse Pass is calling your name!
Perched way up high at 1,683 meters (that's 5,521 feet for my American friends!), this epic mountain pass straddles the Alberta/British Columbia border, right in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. We're talking Yoho and Banff National Parks kinda views.
The entire 25.8 km (or 16 glorious miles) is paved, making it a smooth ride for most vehicles. You'll cruise from Lake Louise (Banff) to Field (Yoho) along the Trans-Canada Highway, which was blasted through here back in '62. Fun fact: you're actually hitting the highest point on the entire Trans-Canada Highway right here!
Keep your eyes peeled though, this area's known for rockslides, debris flows, and even the occasional avalanche. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking, steeped in history. Legend has it, Kicking Horse Pass got its name when a geologist named Dr. Hector got, well, *kicked* by his horse right here back in 1858! So, yeah, watch your step and enjoy the ride!
Where is it?
An iconic road to Kicking Horse Pass in the Canadian Rockies is located in Canada (north-america). Coordinates: 52.5855, -104.5597
Road Details
- Country
- Canada
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 25.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,683 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 52.5855, -104.5597
Related Roads in north-america
moderateWhat is Pride of the West Tunnel?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, adventurers, because we're heading to the Pride of the West Mine in Colorado's Chaffee County! This isn't your average Sunday drive; we're talking about one of the highest roads in the state, topping out at a staggering 12,014 feet above sea level. You'll find the Pride of the West Tunnel, also known as the Billings Tunnel, up there. The tunnel entrance is super cool, with an 1880 keystone marking its start. Apparently, it was built to cut through Pomeroy Peak, but who knows how far it actually goes? Legend has it, there was even a two-story hotel nearby back in the day. The tunnel's still there, but watch out – it's full of water! Some say the whole thing was just a fancy facade to lure investors. Who knows for sure? The 11.6-mile (18.66 km) journey starts from Maysville and is entirely unpaved. Get ready for a bumpy ride with plenty of rocks on Forest Road 240! High clearance is a must, but most stock 4x4s should be able to handle it. Be warned: the last section narrows down to a single lane. Trust me, though, the scenery is SO worth it. Think incredible views and a truly unforgettable experience. Keep in mind, this is Colorado, so winter closures are a thing. Plan your trip accordingly!
moderateWhere is Cascade Lake?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, fellow adventurers, let me tell you about Cascade Lake in Wyoming! This alpine beauty sits way up high in Carbon County, nestled within the Medicine Bow National Forest, not too far from Laramie and the Colorado border. Now, getting there is part of the adventure. The road? Let's just say it's "unimproved." Think bumpy, gravelly, and definitely not for your low-rider. You'll want a high-clearance, narrow, four-wheel drive beast to tackle this one. But trust me, the views are worth it! The road snakes its way through breathtaking meadows and opens up access to a ton of awesome hiking and camping spots in the area. Just be prepared for about of slow-and-steady driving. Heads up: this road is typically impassable during the winter months. Even in the warmer seasons, Wyoming weather can be totally unpredictable, so keep an eye on the forecast before you go. If you're looking for a truly off-the-beaten-path experience, Cascade Lake is calling your name!
hardHow to get by car to the summit of Blackcomb Mountain in BC?
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Wanna hit one of the highest spots in Canada? Head to Blackcomb Mountain in British Columbia! This peak hits an altitude of 2,252 meters (7,388 feet), so buckle up for some serious views. You'll find this gem about 120 km (75 miles) north of Vancouver, hanging out near Whistler. It's nestled right in Garibaldi Provincial Park. Blackcomb’s got a cool backstory: it transformed from untouched mountain to ski haven back in '66, and now it’s part of the massive Whistler Blackcomb resort. And get this – it's linked to Whistler Mountain by the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, which is a record-breaker for distance and height! Prepare for mind-blowing panoramas! The mountain's named after the dark glaciers and rocks you'll spot way up high. Now, about that road to the top… Forget pavement; it’s all rugged and unpaved. It’s basically a service road for the chairlifts. Trust me, you'll need a 4x4 to handle the super-steep inclines. This shelf road gets seriously narrow, with some heart-stopping drop-offs. Keep in mind, once winter hits, this road is a no-go. But when it's open, you're in for some unreal scenery in the Fitzsimmons Range of the Garibaldi Ranges!
moderateA delightful yet crowded road to Bear Lake in CO
🇺🇸 Usa
Bear Lake is an alpine lake at an elevation of 2.890m (9,481ft) above the sea level, located in Larimer County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The road is usually crowded during peak tourist season. Is the road to Bear Lake in CO paved? Set high in the Rocky Mountain National Park, the road to the summit is and navigable by all passenger vehicles. It’s called Bear Lake Road. Starting at US-36, the drive is 15.12km (9.4 miles) long. It's a dazzling little drive, with a few hairpin turns. The road was constructed in 1928. Is the road to Bear Lake in CO open? Access to the lake is typically , with the occasional closure in winters due to dangerous weather conditions. At 2.890m (9,481ft), Bear Lake freezes in the winter. Is the road to Bear Lake in CO worth it? The drive is very scenic. It’s said to be one of the most famous roads in Rocky Mountain National Park . It has an estimated 2 million visitors each year. Traffic can be heavy especially in summer and on fall weekends and the Bear Lake parking lot often fills up by noon on busy summer days. It can be congested. Is the road to Bear Lake steep? The road to the summit is steep, hitting a 9% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting at US-36, the ascent is 15.12km (9.4 miles) long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 385 meters. The average gradient is 2.54%. Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.