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  • The Hang Tags Are Back in Town!

    The Hang Tags Are Back in Town!

    Are you planning to hike the Great Divide Trail in 2026? Whether you’re tackling the full length of the trail or just a section, we encourage you to register your hike and pick up a free GDT Hang Tag; your badge of stewardship and a symbol of your commitment to protecting the Great Divide Trail.

    The Hang Tag Program is back for another season, and we’re excited to continue growing the program in 2026 with four pickup locations across the trail corridor.

    This voluntary registration is open to anyone planning to spend one or more nights on the GDT in 2026.

    How to Register

    1. Visit one of the participating locations listed below.
    2. Let the staff know you’re there to pick up your GDT Hang Tag.
    3. Scan the QR code they provide to complete your registration.
    4. Show the staff your completed registration.
    5. Walk away happily with your new Hang Tag!

    What You’ll Receive

    Hikers who register for 2026 are eligible to receive a free GDT Hang Tag.

    These tags are:

    • A memento of your adventure on the Great Divide Trail
    • A visible sign of your pledge to practice Leave No Trace and care for the trail
    • Available while supplies last — once they’re gone, they’re gone!

    Note: This registration is not a permit and does not replace permits required in national or provincial parks along the GDT. Be sure to research and obtain all necessary permits for your hike.

    Hang Tag Pickup Locations

    Hang Tags must be picked up in person at one of the following locations during business hours. Shipping of Hang Tags is not available.

    Tamarack Outdoors

    214 Mount View Road, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta
    Visit their website for hours of operation

    Kindred Ground – Movement & Coffee House

    7702 18 Avenue, Coleman, Alberta
    Visit their website for hours of operation

    Friends of Yoho Gift Shop

    5764 Trans-Canada Hwy, Field, BC

    The Friends of Yoho Gift Shop is located inside the Yoho National Park Visitor Centre in Field, BC, and now offers a resupply service for GDT hikers for a $20 service fee per box.

    Friends of Jasper National Park Gift Shop

    500 Connaught Drive, Jasper, Alberta
    Visit their website for hours of operation

    Friends of Jasper National Park Gift Shop also offers GDTA members a 10% discount in-store with proof of GDTA membership.

    Quantities are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once locations run out, that’s it for the season.

    Why Do We Ask You to Register?

    Your registration helps us better understand how many people are hiking the GDT, and where. This information is incredibly valuable:

    • It helps us advocate for the trail with land managers and government agencies.
    • It supports funding opportunities by showing how popular and meaningful the GDT is to users.
    • It helps us plan trail maintenance, focusing efforts on the most-used and most-loved areas.

    By registering, you’re helping to protect the GDT’s future – thank you!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Q: Do I have to pick up my Hang Tag in person?

    A: Yes. Hang Tags are only available for pickup in person at our partner locations. Shipping of Hang Tags is not available.

    Q: Can I get a Hang Tag for a previous year’s hike?

    A: No. Hang Tags are only available to hikers registered for the current hiking season (2026).

    Q: Is registration required to hike the GDT?

    A: No. Registration is completely voluntary but strongly encouraged to support trail stewardship and planning.

    Q: Do I still need permits?

    A: Yes. Registration does not replace permits. Be sure to secure all required camping permits for areas such as national and provincial parks along your route. Visit our Permits Page for more information.

    The GDT hang tags shown on grass

  • Calgary Film Festival Raises $7,820

    Calgary Film Festival Raises $7,820

    What an incredible evening! The Great Divide Trail Film Festival in Calgary brought together more than 150 attendees for a night of adventure, storytelling, inspiration, and connection and, thanks to the support of our community, the event raised an amazing $7,820 in support of the Great Divide Trail Association. 

    We were honoured to have Mayor, Jeromy Farkas at the event, where he welcomed the crowd and spoke about the importance of the work that organizations like the GDTA do. His message focused on the power of community, stewardship, and the incredible people behind organizations that work to protect and connect people to the outdoors. It was an important reminder that, at the heart of it all, it is really about the people. 

    We would also like to extend a huge thank you to our emcees, Meaghan Underhill and Nathan Reitsema, who brought incredible energy, humour, and enthusiasm to the evening. Their passion for the outdoors and ability to keep the event flowing made the night even more memorable. 

    The festival showcased an outstanding lineup of films created by hikers, adventurers, and outdoor storytellers, each offering a unique perspective on life on the trail. A huge congratulations and thank you goes out to all of the filmmakers for creating such an unforgettable viewing experience for everyone in attendance. 

    A special shoutout goes to the audience favourite and Viewers’ Choice winner, Keiko Climaco, for her film Ups & Downs. The film clearly resonated with viewers and was a deserving winner of the evening. 

    We were also thrilled to welcome special guest speakers Greg Gerla and Greg Fulmes from Insight Creative Workshops. Their presentation was engaging, practical, and inspiring, giving attendees valuable tools and tips to improve smartphone photography and filmmaking skills. Their energy and expertise added an incredible dimension to the event. 

    Another highlight of the evening was having Latitude 55 Distillery onsite, offering samples of their Kakwa Rum. It was a fantastic addition to the atmosphere and a great way to celebrate the spirit of adventure and community that surrounds the trail world. 

    A huge thank you go to our lead sponsor, Durston, for their strong support in helping make the event possible. We are so grateful and honored to be on the same team as you. 

    We are also thankful to all of the businesses and individuals who generously donated silent auction items. Your contributions helped make the evening a success and directly support the continued work of the GDTA. 

    Lastly, events like this help fund the ongoing work of the Great Divide Trail Association, including trail maintenance, stewardship, advocacy, infrastructure projects, and connecting people with the outdoors. 

    To everyone who attended, volunteered, donated, submitted films, sponsored the event, or helped spread the word, thank you. Your support helps keep the spirit of the Great Divide Trail alive and thriving. 

    We are already looking forward to the next one! 

    Calgary’s Mayor, Jeromy Farkas

  • Turn Your Gear into Trail Support

    Turn Your Gear into Trail Support

    Geartrade Garage Sale in Support of the Great Divide Trail Association

    Got gear you are not using anymore? Let it do some good.

    The Annual Garage Sale in support of the Great Divide Trail Association (GDTA) is back, and the easiest way to take part is by donating or consigning your gear. No need to set up a table or manage sales. Just drop off your items and we will handle the rest.

    It is a simple way to clear out your gear, support the trail, and be part of something meaningful.

    The Easiest Way to Participate: Donate or Consign

    If you have gently used outdoor gear, we would love to take it off your hands.

    Option 1: Donate Your Gear

    The simplest way to support the trail.

    • Drop off your items and we will sell them at the event
    • 100 percent of proceeds go directly to the Great Divide Trail
    • No follow-up needed

    Option 2: Consign Your Gear

    Support the trail and earn a little back.

    • Drop off your items and we will sell them for you
    • You receive 70 percent of the sale
    • 30 percent supports the Great Divide Trail

    How it works:

    • Drop off your items at Geartrade between May 1 and May 9 (by appointment)
    • Label each item with your name, phone number, price, and whether you are open to offers
    • We will take care of the rest

    Drop-off options:

    • Geartrade (May 1 to May 9, during business hours, by appointment)
    • Day-of drop-off starting at 9:30 am

    If these times do not work, reach out and we will find another option.

    Pick-up deadline (consignment only):
    All unsold items or proceeds must be picked up by 3:30 pm on May 9.

    Why It Matters

    Donations and consignment items are where we raise the most funds for the trail. Every item sold helps support maintenance, protection, and access along the Great Divide Trail.

    Your old gear can help keep the trail wild.

    Want to Shop or Sell in Person?

    You can still join us on the day to browse or sell your own gear.

    For buyers:

    • Free entry
    • Great deals on outdoor gear
    • Cash recommended

    For sellers:

    Join Us

    Come by the Geartrade parking lot for a day of gear, community, and trail support. We will have a campfire, smokies, chips, and refreshments available, with all proceeds going to the GDTA.

    Whether you are donating gear, consigning items, hunting for deals, or just stopping in to say hello, we would love to see you there.

    Garage Sale BBQ
    Garage Sale BBQ
  • Great Gear and Great Trails Go Together: The GDTA Partners with Durston 

    Great Gear and Great Trails Go Together: The GDTA Partners with Durston 

    The Great Divide Trail Association is proud to announce a significant multiyear sponsorship with Durston.  

    Designed in the Canadian Rockies and built on real-world backcountry experience, Durston is known for thoughtful, functional, and lightweight equipment that supports long days and big miles. And the Great Divide Trail certainly has big miles to offer. 

    This multiyear sponsorship will directly support trail maintenance, volunteer-led projects, and long-term improvements along the Great Divide Trail, while also helping cover the all-important but less flashy organizational work that keeps everything moving forward. It reflects a shared belief that well-built gear and well-cared trails go hand in hand. 

    We are grateful to Durston for stepping up in a meaningful, long-term way and for investing in the future of the GDT. We are excited about what this partnership will make possible in the years ahead. 

    Welcome to the trail, Durston. 

    Click here for more information about Durston

  • We’re the Green Bib Charity again! 

    We’re the Green Bib Charity again! 

    The Great Divide Trail Association is proud to be the Green Bib Charity for the Servus Calgary Marathon once again this year. 

    The marathon dedicates time, energy, and resources to reducing its environmental impact. When runners choose the Green Bib option, a $10 donation is made to the Great Divide Trail Association in lieu of a race shirt and medal – directly supporting trail maintenance, stewardship, and volunteer-led projects along the Great Divide Trail. 

    Run for the trail 

    • Choose the Green Bib 

    Thanks to the Green Bib program, runners helped make a real difference. Not only did they reduce waste, they raised $6,600 for the GDTA! 

    Thank you to both the Servus Calgary Marathon and Fluid Projects, the Green Bib program sponsor.

    Lace up. Go green. Support the trail. 

    event booth attendees
    Kate Hamilton
  • Peace Poles: An Overview and an Invitation

    Peace Poles: An Overview and an Invitation

    The Southern Terminus of the Great Divide Trail, where it meets the Continental Divide Trail and our neighbors to the south, is located within the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. On November 22, we join together in celebrating International Peace Pole Day.

    What Peace Poles Stand For

    The first Peace Pole was erected  in 1976 Japan based on the ideas of Masahisa Goi. The first one  in North America was in 1983 in California. Every Peace Pole has May Peace Prevail on Earth in 4 to 8 languages.

    “May Peace Prevail On Earth is an all-inclusive message. It is a meeting place of the heart, bringing together people of all faiths, backgrounds, and cultures to embrace the oneness of our planetary family.”

    There is over 250,000 Peace Poles around the world dedicated as monuments to peace. “Planting a Peace Pole is a way of bringing people together to inspire, awaken and uplift the human consciousness the world over. It is a wonderful project for any community, organization, or your home. Peace Poles are now recognized as the most prominent international symbol and monument to peace. They remind us to think, speak, and act in the spirit of peace and harmony, and they stand as a silent visual for peace to prevail on earth. Each pole is engraved with 4 or 8 languages which all state, “May Peace Prevail On Earth”.

    For more information; https://www.peacepoleproject.org/  and https://rotarypeacepoles.world/

    Waterton Glacier International Peace Park Association

    In 1931, in Waterton close to 100 Rotarians from Canada and the United States assembled. Looking south from Alberta to Montana from the Prince of Wales Hotel, one Rotarian observed, “Where no border can be seen, no border should exist.” Just one year later, in 1932, both the Canadian and United States governments agreed to create the worlds first International Peace Park.

    Today, there are an estimated 265 international peace parks in the world. The Waterton Glacier International Peace Park Association has set a goal of 100 additional Peace Poles in the four-member Rotary Districts (Kootenays British Columbia, Alberta, Montana, and Idaho) for our 100th anniversary in 2032.  For more; https://www.watertonglacierpeacepark.org/

    Pledge Of Peace

    ​ We invite you, your community, and your Rotary Club to;

    1. Place a Peace Pole in your community, and
    2. share the Waterton Glacier International Peace Park Association’s Pledge of Peace;

    “In the name of all we hold sacred, we will not take up arms against each other. We will work for peace, maintain liberty, strive for freedom, and demand equal opportunities for all. May the long existing peace between our nations stimulate other peoples to follow this example”

    In our current world, we seek positive peace between all nations.

    by David B. Savage

    Rotary Club of Cranbrook (British Columbia, Canada) and

    Waterton Glacier International Peace Park Association (Canada and the United States)

  • Great Divide Trail Annual Film Festival Call for Film Submissions – 2026 

    Great Divide Trail Annual Film Festival Call for Film Submissions – 2026 

    Thank you for your interest in submitting your film to the Great Divide Trail Association’s Annual Film Fundraiser 

    We are excited to showcase as much of the Great Divide Trail (GDT) from as many perspectives as we can. If you have touched this trail that we love in any way, we want to see it and share it! 

    • We want to see your thru-hike experience! 
    • We want to see your section hikes! 
    • We want to see your weekend getaways! 
    • We want to see your trail-building experience! 

    We each have our own personal relationship and experience with the GDT, and we want to see and share it all! 

    Submission Guidelines 
    Deadline March 15th, 2026 
    Duration Max – 15 Minutes (incl. Title and Credits) 
    Eligibility Content MUST: Align with the mission and values of the GDTA promoting Environmental stewardship Respect for local communities Cultural sensitivity, AND Respect the rules and regulations of all land use areas
    Please be sure to:
    – Obtain any relevant Parks Canada Film Permits  
    – Adhere to all copyright laws and permissions  
    Title/Credits Opening and closing credits should be included and contain: Title of your film, and Your name as the filmmaker 
    Format For best viewing: HD – 1920 X 1080p 
    Submission Upload your file to the link below: 
    Submission Link 
    Clearly label the file with your name and the film title AND email events@greatdividetrail.com with: 
    – Subject Line: GDTA Film Festival Submission
    – Film Title 
    – Filmmakers: Full Name Email, Address Mailing address , Phone Number 
    – A brief synopsis of the film Max – 200 words 
    – Any additional relevant information 

    About the Selection Process:  

    A committee of judges will review all submitted films and curate a diverse lineup for the annual film fest. The selected filmmakers will be notified via email by April 15th, 2026. 

    The festival will take place in Calgary AB, on Thursday May 7th, 2026 

    Please note that by submitting your film, you grant the Great Divide Trail Association the rights to showcase your film during the Annual Film Fundraiser, including subsequent promotional use. 

    For any inquiries or further information, please contact us at events@greatdividetrail.com 

    We eagerly await your inspiring films, capturing the essence of the Great Divide Trail! 

  • Pre-Sale Now On: Great Divide Trail Maps & 2026 Calendars! 

    Pre-Sale Now On: Great Divide Trail Maps & 2026 Calendars! 

    Looking for the perfect gift for the trail lover in your life, or a way to bring a little wilderness inspiration into your home? The Great Divide Trail 2026 Calendars and Special Edition Wall Maps are now available for pre-sale until December 1, 2025! 

    The Special Edition Great Divide Trail Wall Map was carefully and lovingly created by GDTA volunteer Brad “Blue Magi” Maguire, capturing the beauty and scale of the GDT. This stunning 16” x 36” map not only showcases the trail’s spectacular terrain but also helps support the GDTA’s mission to protect, promote, and maintain the Great Divide Trail for generations to come. 

    The 2026 Great Divide Trail Calendar features breathtaking images submitted by trail users through the GDTA’s annual photo contest: a celebration of the places, people, and moments that make the GDT unforgettable. 

    Every purchase supports the Great Divide Trail Association, a registered charity powered by passionate volunteers working to keep the trail wild and sustainable. 

    Visit https://geartrade.ca/collections/great-divide-trail-association to get your map and calendar today!

    Direct link to calendars

    Direct link to maps 

    Pre-sale ends December 1 — don’t miss out! 

  • Blaeberry River Crossing Update 

    Blaeberry River Crossing Update 

    Are you wondering what’s happening with the crossing over the Blaeberry River in Section D? 

    The Blaeberry Crossing Project has been a labour of love, and one of the GDTA’s top safety priorities, for the past four years. This work is essential to improving hiker safety and maintaining connectivity through the Blaeberry Valley, a remote and rugged stretch of the Great Divide Trail located northeast of Golden, BC. 

    Currently, a temporary log bridge spans the Blaeberry River near its confluence with Cairnes Creek. While this structure has allowed hikers to cross safely in the short term, it’s not expected to last much longer, and possibly not even through the coming spring. 

    Originally, the GDTA had planned to construct a permanent aluminum bridge at this site. However, after extensive engineering review and close collaboration with Recreation Sites & Trails BC (RSTBC), the vision has evolved into something truly remarkable—a cable car aerial ferry crossing, the first of its kind on the Great Divide Trail and one of the most ambitious backcountry infrastructure projects ever undertaken by the GDTA. Once complete, it will not only ensure a safe and reliable river crossing but also offer an unforgettable experience for backcountry users traveling through this wild and scenic valley. 

    In spring 2025, RSTBC generously provided the major components for a cable car system, along with a $5,000 contribution toward the project. Together, the GDTA and RSTBC are now working through the final design, engineering, and approval processes required to move forward. 

    As part of this effort, the GDTA has also applied for a Section 57 authorization to rehabilitate and maintain Collie Creek Historic Trail, which RSTBC has circulated for review and is now awaiting a final decision. This authorization would allow the GDTA to undertake trail restoration, maintenance, and improvements under a formal agreement with RSTBC—similar to the authorization established for the David Thompson Heritage Trail. This partnership ensures that historic routes in the region are maintained safely and sustainably, while preserving their cultural and recreational value. 

    The Collie Creek Historic Trail project complements the cable car initiative, reconnecting historic travel routes within the Blaeberry Valley and enhancing safe, continuous access through this stunning and historically significant area. 

    While the cable car represents an exciting advancement for the Great Divide Trail, it also comes at a higher cost than originally anticipated—approximately $50,000 more than the original bridge proposal. As a volunteer-driven, charitable organization, the GDTA will be working hard to fundraise and secure additional support to cover these costs. 

    A huge thank-you goes out to the incredible volunteers leading this effort, and to Recreation Sites & Trails BC, whose ongoing commitment to a safe, sustainable crossing has been instrumental in moving the project forward. 

  • Another Amazing Weekend at the Banff Mountain Film Fest 

    Another Amazing Weekend at the Banff Mountain Film Fest 

    Another incredible weekend at the Banff Mountain Film Fest! The GDTA set up our beautiful booth at the BMFF Marketplace from November 7–9, returning once again for a weekend of connections. 

    This event always proves to be an excellent opportunity to promote both the Great Divide Trail and the Great Divide Trail Association. We spoke with many people who have hiked the GDT, those planning future adventures, and several who are excited to begin volunteering with us. 

    We also launched a special BMFF membership promotion: anyone who became a new GDTA member during the event was entered to win a set of Durston Iceline Poles, generously donated by Durston Gear to support the GDTA, as well as the new Special Edition GDT Wall Map, lovingly created by one of our amazing volunteers, Brad “Blue Magi” Maguire. This initiative brought in 16 new members, and we’re thrilled to welcome them into our growing community. Congratulations to Kelsey Demmings, the winner of this OUTSTANDING prize! 

    Thank you to everyone who stopped by the booth to say hello! We are always grateful for the support, enthusiasm, and stories shared by the GDT community. 

    A huge thank-you to Durston Gear for donating the Iceline poles, and to our incredible volunteers who spent their weekend at the booth educating visitors about the GDT and representing the GDTA with so much passion: Charlene Deck, Kaylee Thomson, Doug Hollinger, Meaghan Underhill, Jenn Glover, David Mulligan, and Dale Keller. We couldn’t do this without you!