The Great Divide Trail Association | Dedicated to maintaining, protecting and promoting the Great Divide Trail

Discover the Great Divide Trail

Trip-Planning Resources

Trail Maintenance

Discover the Great Divide Trail

Learn about the history of the GDT, take a photo journey on the trail, or read journals of other hikers experiences on the GDT.

Trip-Planning Resources

Whether out on the trail for a day or a month, check out these resources to make your trip planning easier.

Get Involved

Become a member now! Or support the Great Divide Trail by volunteering on a trail maintenance trip, joining a committee, or becoming a sponsor.

Trail Maintenance

In 2020, we refused to give up hope of a trail building season and developed a modified plan that adhered to public health restrictions and guidelines. Thanks to the incredible work of our dedicated volunteers, 2020 was a huge success!

Canada's Great Divide Trail
a journey on the crest of the continent

The Great Divide Trail traverses the continental divide between Alberta and British Columbia, wandering through the vast wilderness of the Canadian Rocky Mountains for more than 1100 kilometres. It is one of the most spectacular and challenging long‐distance trails on the planet.

The Great Divide Trail is not officially designated and not always even an actual trail, sometimes merely a wilderness route, inspiring modern-day adventurers to walk the same paths of the original Indigenous people and explorers to the area. A journey on the Great Divide Trail promises to be demanding but on the GDT you'll discover a definitive wilderness experience in one of the most magnificent settings on Earth.

The Great Divide Trail Association is dedicated to maintaining, protecting and promoting the Great Divide Trail and with your support, we can preserve the GDT and its wilderness experience for generations to come!

About the GDTA

The Great Divide Trail Association is a Canadian not‐for‐profit corporation and registered charitable organization headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, responsible for maintaining, promoting and protecting the Great Divide Trail.

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Membership

We are supported by members who make the Great Divide Trail experience possible. Join the GDTA community - Become a member today.

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Volunteer

Come join a volunteer trail crew and give back to the Great Divide Trail!

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GDTA Spring 2021 Webinars

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by Charlene Deck and Keri Bowzaylo This spring, the Outreach Committee presented webinars on trip planning and safety, and gear selection to help hikers prepare for the trails this summer. Trip Planning and Safety Webinar In a Trip Planning and Safety Webinar, Keri Bowzaylo, an ultra-runner, fitness professional, and apprentice…

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Thinking Outside the Donation Box

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By Mary Jane Kreisel June is an exciting month for the Great Divide Trail Association! Our volunteer trail building trips in BC and Alberta are about to begin. Hikers from far and wide will soon embark on a thru-hike of a lifetime on the GDT. Others will attempt a challenging…

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Ordering “Tales from the Great Divide”

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By Jenny Feick, PhD Tales from the Great Divide, Vignettes on the Origins and Early History of Canada’s Great Divide Trail and Great Divide Trail Association brings to life the memories of many of the ‘originals’ whose vision, idealism, dedication, and hard work over five decades made Canada’s Great Divide Trail…

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Preparing for the Great Divide Trail

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by Austin Hager Wow, was I shocked at how much prep is required for a Great Divide Trail thru-hike. Still more than a month away from my start date, and I have put in well over 100 hours of preparation. Between my partner Tanya and I sharing the load, it…

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