What is the Highest Highway Pass in Canada?
The highest highway pass in Canada is HIGHWOOD PASS, along Highway 40 in Kananaskis Country. This route is closed between December 1 and June 15 annually to protect local wildlife populations.
The highest highway passes in the Canadian Rockies are also the highest highway passes in Canada. They are:
|
NAME |
LOCATION |
METRES |
FEET |
|
Highwood Pass |
Hwy. 40, Kananaskis Country |
2,206 |
7,240 |
|
Bow Summit Pass |
Icefields Parkway |
2,082 |
6,830 |
|
The Hump* |
Hwy. 532, Kananaskis Country |
2,041 |
6,700 |
|
Sunwapta Pass |
Icefields Parkway |
2,035 |
6,680 |
|
Vermilion Pass |
Banff/Kootenay National Parks |
1,640 |
5,380 |
|
Kicking Horse Pass |
Banff/Yoho National Parks |
1,627 |
5,340 |
|
Sinclair Pass |
Kootenay National Park |
1,486 |
4,880 |
|
Scott Lake Hill |
Trans-Canada Highway |
1,410 |
4,630 |
|
Yellowhead Pass |
Jasper National Park/Mt Robson |
1,066 |
3,500 |
*Highway 532 over The Hump is unpaved. This road is closed from December 1 to April 30.
What is the Highest Road in Canada?
Highwood Pass is definitely the highest paved road in Canada. But to the south, unpaved Plateau Mountain Road branches off Highway 940 and climbs into PLATEAU MOUNTAIN ECOLOGICAL RESERVE. The road is gated after 3.7 km (2.3 miles), where the elevation is 2,250 metres (7,380 feet), which makes it the highest publicly accessible road in Canada. Beyond the gate, the road continues up and on the 2,500-metre (8,200-foot) Plateau Mountain Ecological Reserve, but the only access is on foot. Note that Highway 940 is closed December 1 to April 30. Gem Trek’s Highwood & Cataract Creek Map shows Plateau Mountain Road and describes access to the reserve.
What is the Highest Pass on the Trans-Canada Highway?
The highest pass on the Trans-Canada Highway is the KICKING HORSE PASS (1,627 metres/5,340 feet) on the Continental Divide. This pass also marks the boundary between Banff and Yoho National Parks. Other notable Trans-Canada highway passes are:
Scott Lake Hill 1,410 metres/4,630 feet
Rogers Pass 1,330 metres/4,360 feet
Coquihalla Pass 1,244 metres/4,080 feet
Highway 40 across Highwood Pass is Canada’s highest highway.