The Nigel Pass hike in northern Banff National Park is a rewarding one – whether it be just a day trip or part of a longer backpack that includes Jonas Pass on the 5 – 6 day Brazeau Loop. Most people do this excellent hike as a day trip when they’re exploring the Columbia Icefield area.
On the weekend we did the Nigel Pass hike, we had been planning to go all the way up to Jonas Pass. We only made it to the Four Point Creek Campsite, which fortunately is absolutely lovely.
A staffer in Jasper National Park had given us bad information and as it turns out, you’re not allowed to take dogs past the Four Point Campground – and up Jonas Pass, because of the caribou. (We finally did it in 2021!)
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Nigel Pass hike summary
Distance: 14.4 km (8.9 miles) round trip
Elevation gain: 365 m or 1,197 feet
Level of difficulty: Easy to moderate
Time needed: 4.5 – 6 hours
Dogs: Permitted on a leash
Best time to hike: July to September
Camping: There are backcountry campsites beyond Nigel Pass that can be reserved. In 2023, reservations open on March 20 at 8 AM, MST.
Permits: You need a Parks Canada Pass to do the Nigel Pass hike.
Bears: You’re traveling in bear country so don’t forget the bear spray in an easy to access bear spray holster.
Map: The map for this hike isGem Trek Columbia Icefield. For an offline hiking app I recommend Organic Maps.
Don’t forget: Let someone know where you’re hiking and when you’re due back. Always pack the 10 hiking essentials.
Where is the Nigel Pass trailhead?
Drive west on the Trans-Canada Highway from Lake Louise to the Icefields Parkway (93N). Continue north for 113.0 km.
Look for a Nigel Pass sign and turn right onto a dirt road. If you’re coming from Jasper the trailhead is 13.0 km south of the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre – but the turn can be hard to make and you may have to pass it and then turn around and get it going north.
Where to stay before of after the hike
There is lots of camping along the Icefields Parkway and some of it is first come, first served. The closest campgrounds are Wilcox Creek and the Icefield Campground. At the Columbia Icefield, there is also a hotel – the Glacier View Lodge.
Recommended reading: Everything You Need to Know About Camping on the Icefields Parkway
Lake Louise accommodation
Paradise Lodge and Bungalows would be a lovely choice in summer – and it’s quite close to Lake Louise – the lake, not the village.
The Mountaineer Lodge would also work for many people. At the budget end, there is the Lake Louise Hostel.
Jasper accommodation
The Crimson Jasper is on the strip of hotels within walking distance to everything.
If you don’t mind being a short drive from town, then Pyramid Lake Resort is a good choice, especially with families.
Bear Hill Lodge is also a good choice.
Nigel Pass hike details
It’s 7.2 km to reach Nigel Pass over a vertical gain of 361 m (1,185 feet). It’s gradual and not very taxing, even with a fully loaded backpack. For the first 1.8 km, follow an old road, the Wonder Road, reportedly the original Icefields Parkway, used until the 1960’s.
Where the road splits at 1.8 km veer right and stay on the main trail. Historic Camp Parker is reached at the 2.1 km mark. When the trail forks again descend to sturdy footbridges across Nigel and silt-laden Hilda Creeks.
Note that the source of water for Nigel Creek is rain and snow-melt so it’s fairly clear whereas Hilda Creek gets its water source from a glacier, a mere five kilometres away. It’s cloudy as the rock flour as no time to settle.
Make your way up to a warden’s cabin that is not in use. Continue right to follow the main signed trail, that stays east of Nigel Creek.
About an hour into the hike the annoying highway noise disappears and you arrive at open meadows with gorgeous views. Jump a few tributary creeklets as you continue the hike up to the pass marking the Jasper- Banff National Park boundary. It will take you roughly 2.5 hours to get there.
The meadows and the area immediately around the pass are reportedly frequented by grizzly bears but we didn’t even see bear scat.
Once you reach the austere looking pass you have a view down to the Brazeau River and excellent views of Parker Ridge and Mt. Saskatchewan as you look back the way you came. It’s easy to rock hop across the Brazeau River and continue exploring.
The option going south from the Brazeau River
While we didn’t turn right (southeast) after crossing the river you can do this and continue to Upper Brazeau Canyon, Cataract Lake and then onto to Cataract Pass. But you need up to 10 hours to do the return hike to the pass.
You can also camp overnight without permits once you leave Banff National Park, and it’s reportedly amazing scenery and camping.
The option going north from Nigel Pass
After a straight forward rock hop across the Brazeau River, you can turn left (north) and climb up through rock slide debris to reach a viewpoint of a waterfall, 0.8 km from the river.
Continue on what is now part of the multi-day Brazeau Loop backpacking trip as it heads in the direction of Jonas Pass.
Count on a steep and hot descent in the afternoon sun to reach the Brazeau Valley. When we did it over a Labour Day weekend, the fall colours were showing up in ground-hugging plants.
We continued all the way to Boulder Creek Campground, a pleasant place to spend a night though Four Point Campground at 13.9 km is even nicer. From there it’s 9.9 km to reach Jonas Pass – rather a lot for a day trip. If you want to continue, plan to do it as part of a 3 – 5 day backpacking trip.
Camping in Jasper National Park on the Brazeau Loop
There are several campsites in the Nigel Pass – Brazeau Loop area, all of which must be reserved in advance on the Jasper National Park website – even though the hike starts in Banff National Park.
On the way to the Boulder Creek Campground where we ended up, there’s one bridge to cross.
We stayed here for two nights as we couldn’t get reservations for the slightly nicer Four Point Campground – despite the fact we found it deserted the next day.
The hike up the Brazeau River
As our plans were thwarted we decided we would hike up the Brazeau River a ways but found the scenery after the warden’s cabin wasn’t very inspiring. It ended up being a retrace your steps and hang out in the tent, reading kind of day.
Next time the dog will not be accompanying us.
Want to do the Nigel Pass hike as part of a backpacking trip?
If you are interesting in spending the night in the backcountry reserve a backcountry permit from Jasper National Park on March 20, 2023 starting at 8 AM MST.
An online reservation costs $11.50. Costs are $12.75 per person per night.
Don’t forget the following on the Nigel Pass hike
Even in summer, dress in layers. I always take a lightweight down jacket and rain gear like this pricey but will last you a decade jacket from Arc’teryx.
Rain pants will come in handy if its recently rained because of all the low brush on parts of the hike. I prefer the full zip ones so I don’t overheat.
A pack cover is always a good idea too.
Don’t forget a sun hat.
For comfort on breaks, especially if its wet or cold, I recommend an inflatable seat cushion.
Location map for the Nigel Pass hike
Further reading on hikes in Banff and Jasper National Parks
- Tonquin Valley Hiking Guide – What You Need to Know
- 8 Stunning Hikes to do along the Icefields Parkway
- Hiking the Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park
- Bald Hills Trail Hike, Jasper National Park
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