Kicking Horse Pass

Kicking Horse Pass is a mountain crossing in the Canadian Rockies that connects Alberta and British Columbia at an elevation of 1627 meters. Both the Trans-Canada Highway and the Canadian Pacific Railway traverse this pass, making it a major transportation corridor linking the two provinces.

The Canadian Pacific Railway selected this pass in the 1880s as its main route through the Rocky Mountains to connect eastern and western Canada. This choice became pivotal in shaping the nation's transportation network and economic development.

The name comes from an 1858 incident when geologist James Hector was injured while examining the nearby river during the Palliser Expedition. This story remains part of local memory and shapes how people understand this mountain crossing today.

The pass is accessible year-round via the Trans-Canada Highway, though winter conditions can make driving challenging. Visitors should check current road conditions and prepare for rapidly changing weather at this elevation.

Two spiral tunnels were built in the early 1900s to reduce the steep railway grade and make train operation safer along this route. These tunnels remain engineering achievements that visitors traveling by rail can still observe today.

Location: Improvement District No. 09 (Banff National Park)

Location: Columbia-Shuswap Regional District

Location: British Columbia

Elevation above the sea: 1,627 m

GPS coordinates: 51.45280,-116.28300

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:05