
Take the Scenic Route and Discover Sinclair Pass in BC
Canada, north-america
62.9 km
1,486 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, road trip fans, let's talk Sinclair Pass in beautiful British Columbia, Canada! Nestled high in the Canadian Rockies, inside Kootenay National Park, this paved beauty, aka Highway 93, clocks in at about 63 kilometers (or 39 miles) stretching between Radium Hot Springs and Vermilion Crossing.
This isn't a Sunday drive, folks. Get ready for some serious climbing! The road gets STEEP, with grades hitting up to 11% in sections. It's a two-lane highway that winds its way up to 1,486 meters (4,875 feet) above sea level. Oh, and pro tip: keep an eye out! This area is known for avalanches and rock slides, so always be aware of your surroundings. Despite the hazards, the views are absolutely breathtaking. So buckle up and get ready to experience some epic mountain scenery!
Where is it?
Take the Scenic Route and Discover Sinclair Pass in BC is located in Canada (north-america). Coordinates: 56.6862, -105.1020
Road Details
- Country
- Canada
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 62.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,486 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 56.6862, -105.1020
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