Access

Find out how to get on to the GDT.

Even though the GDT is remote and crosses few highways, public transportation and trailheads do exist to allow you to access the trail at various points whether you’re thru-hiking or section hiking. 

Southern Terminus – Waterton Townsite:

From Calgary

• Airport Shuttle Express offers a shuttle between the Calgary Airport and the Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes National Park (Call or email for rates). This shuttle continues on to Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier, Montana for an additional fee.
• Mountain Man Mike’s offers bus service between Calgary and Pincher Creek.
• Calgary-Waterton Shuttle: Local Crowsnest Pass business owner Chantel Beven, is offering shuttle services between Calgary – Waterton Lakes NP ($350), and Crowsnest – Waterton Lakes NP ($140). For shuttles in surrounding areas, please contact Chantel. Chantel will take up to 6 people at a time for a flat rate. How to access: Please text Chantel at 1-403-563-7595, or message her on Facebook for more details and to book this service. GDTA members receive a 10% discount!

From Pincher Creek

Pincher Creek taxi service can take you to Waterton townsite for $80-100 (obviously more economical with 2 or more passengers). 

From Glacier National Park (USA)

Tamarack Outdoor Outfitters offers shuttle service during the summer to and from the Chief Mountain border crossing, connecting Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta with Glacier National Park in Montana.

From Waterton Townsite

There are two ways that hikers can reach the actual southern terminus on the International Boundary:

1. Hike 6.3 km from the Lakeshore trailhead (a2) to the International Boundary (a1) and simply turn around at the border and walk back to Waterton Townsite (12.6 km return hike).
2. Take a boat from the Waterton marina to Goat Haunt Ranger Station in Glacier National Park (USA) and hike 13 km back to Waterton Townsite via the Lakeshore Trail. Passport required. For sailing times, ticket prices and customs information, check out Waterton Shoreline Cruises Co.

Northern Termini:

Kakwa Lake:

From Kakwa Lake, hikers still have at least 1 or 2 days additional walking to reach a trailhead parking area. There are two viable exit options from Kakwa Lake: West via Walker Creek Forest Service Road, and east via Deadhorse Meadows Tote Road. There is no public transportation to either of these remote trailheads so you must make your own travel arrangements or be prepared to walk out an additional 2 or 3 days to civilization.

Exiting west from Kakwa Lake, it is a 28 km hike to the 4WD trailhead at the end of Walker Creek Forest Service Road, and a further 75 km down the road to Highway 16. Walker Creek FSR is a rough and muddy dirt road that is prone to washouts and closures. 4WD high clearance vehicle is required.

Exiting east via Deadhorse Meadows runs 26 km on the old tote road plus another 6 km on an old trail to reach the 4WD trailhead at Deadhorse Meadows in 32 km. The walking is generally good, but where boggy sections exist look for singletrack detours that skirt around. From Deadhorse Meadows it is a further 18 km to the 2WD trailhead at Lick Creek. If you don’t have a ride arranged, continue a further 15 km to the popular Two Lakes Recreation Area where your search for a ride should be more fruitful. From Two Lakes Recreation Area it is 145 km on good road to Grande Prairie.

Blueberry Trailhead

Shuttle service and resupply package delivery is available at the Blueberry Trailhead @ km 986.9 +7.4 km via the Blueberry Trail. Resupply packages will be delivered by Robson Backcountry Adventures and stored in bear lockers installed at the Blueberry Trailhead.

Based out of McBride BC, Robson Backcountry Adventures is owned and operated by Joy & Sean Prockter, hiking and climbing guides who offer day hikes as well as introductory overnight and full week long adventures in the Robson Valley. Robson Backcountry Adventures is offering the delivery of resupply packages to the Blueberry Trailhead Resupply Lockers, as well as shuttles along the GDT, from Jasper to as far North as the road and conditions allow. 

Please contact Joy & Sean at info@jasperhikesandtours.ca or 1.780.931.4453 to book your delivery service and receive mailing instructions. Resupply delivery service fee is $99 for GDTA members or $129 for non-members. GDTA members can also receive a 10% discount for other pick up, shuttle and delivery services along the GDT in the Robson Valley area. Proof of GDTA membership is required for discount.

Roy Howard from Fraser Headwaters Alliance has offered his services to shuttle hikers to or from the Blueberry trailhead (not Kakwa). Roy charges a fee to cover his costs for fuel, wear and tear on his vehicle and his time. Roy can be reached at roy@fraserheadwaters.org

Mount Robson – CLOSED IN 2024:

There is no public transportation to Mount Robson so you must make your own travel arrangements. Mount Robson Visitor Centre is easily accessible on Highway 16.

Other Transportation options along the GDT:

• Brewster offers bus service between the Calgary airport, Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, Saskatchewan Crossing and Jasper.
• SunDog Connector offers bus service between Jasper and Edmonton.
• Red Arrow offers bus service between Edmonton, Calgary, Fort Macleod and Lethbridge.
• On-It Regional Transit offers bus service between Calgary, Canmore and Banff.
• Rider Express offers bus service between Calgary, Canmore, Lake Louise, Banff, Field and Golden.
• Roam Transit offers bus service between Canmore, Lake Louise and Banff.
• Car rentals and taxi service are available in Calgary, Pincher Creek, Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper.

Other Access to the GDT:

Turn on the “Access Routes & Trailheads” layer on our map to see exact locations of the following access points along the GDT.