Trail Name

Distance / Elevation Gain

Access

Remarks

Burstall Pass

7.4 km one way

470 m gain

Burstall Pass parking lot on Spray Trail

This trail takes you through forests and willow flats, then climbs steeply to alpine meadows and Burstall pass.

Chester Lake

4.6 km one way

300 m gain

Chester Lake parking lot on Spray Trail

This forested trail leads to a parking lot on the alpine meadow and lake below Mt. Chester.

Elk Pass

6.1 km one way

210 m gain

Elk Pass parking lot

The trail climbs to the pass on an old fire road. You have the option to continue into B.C. and Elk Lakes Provincial Park.

Lookout

2.4 km one way

200 m gain

Junction of Whiskey Jack and Pocaterra Trails

This trail takes you up to the Fire Lookout and a panoramic view of the area.

Pocaterra

8.7 km one way

250 m gain

Pocaterra Hut parking lot

This trail goes through open meadows and forested areas; has dramatic views of Mt. Wintour and the Opal Range. Connects with Whiskey Jack and Lookout trails.

Whiskey Jack

4.5 km one way

210 m gain

Boulton Creek Trading Post parking lot

This trail connects with Lookout and Pocaterra trails. There are steep sections. Combined with Pocaterra, this is an excellent biking route.

1982 Canadian Mt. Everest Expedition

2.1 km loop trail

120 m gain

White Spruce parking lot

Interpretive Trail. This is a short climb through mature forest to a high lookout point between the Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes.

Black Prince Cirque

4.2 km loop trail

90 m gain

Black Prince parking lot on Spray Trail

Interpretive Trail. This trail climbs to a lovely cirque lake through forested and open areas.

Boulton Creek

4.9 km loop trail

Boulton Creek Bridge picnic area

Interpretive Trail. This trail takes a short climb to Boulton Creek cabin then follows a ridge for a view of the mountains to the south and west, then returns along the creek.

Ptarmigan Cirque

6.0 km loop trail

210 m gain

Highwood meadows parking lot on Hwy #40

Interpretive Trail. This steep trail leads you to a fragile alpine meadow and a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains.

Rawson Lake

3.9 km one way

320 m gain

Upper Lake picnic area

After leaving Upper Lake Trail, it is a long, steady climb through a subalpine forest. The trail terminates at a beautiful alpine lake surrounded by mountain peaks and alpine meadows.

Upper Lake

15.9 km loop trail

Upper Lake or North Interlakes picnic areas

The south shore of this lakeside trail passes Sarrail Falls, while on the north side the trail crosses the Palliser rockslide.

Marl Lake

5.1 km loop trail

Elkwood Amphitheatre parking lot or Elkwood campground

Interpretive Trail. This trail winds its way through forest and wetland to Marl Lake. Due to steepness of grades and distance we recommend a companion for wheelchair users of this barrier-free trail.

Kananaskis Canyon

0.8 km loop trail

Canyon Campground near entrance of Loop B

Interpretive Trail. This trail winds its ways through pine forests to the old Kananaskis River Canyon. The trail returns on the old riverbed along walkways and stairs.

Paved Trail System

12 km one way

Campgrounds and Visitor Centre

Lodgepole, Wheeler, and Lakeside trails form this paved trail system that connects most of the campgrounds.

Trail Name

Distance / Elevation Gain

Access

Remarks

Cataract Falls

7.0 km one way

Cataract Creek campground (parking lot at entrance)

This easy trail follows Cataract Creek downstream from the campground through open meadow, then forest on the east side of the creek to these scenic waterfalls. This is not a designated trail.

Mist Creek

13 km one way

555 m gain

Mist Creek Day Use

Passing through mixed forest, meadows and a series of steep, short traverses brings you to RickertâÄ™s Pass and excellent views of the Sheep, Mist and Highwood valleys.

Picklejar Lakes

4.2 km one way

Lantern Creek Day Use

This trail winds upward through mixed forest and across open forest before it drops down to four alpine lakes.

Cat Creek Interpretive Trail

2 km one way

Cat Creek Day Use

A short, easy hike with signs that describe the natural history of the area. The trail ends at a beautiful 6 m waterfall.

Trail Name

Distance / Elevation Gain

Access

Remarks

Fullerton Loop

7 km return

213 m gain

Allen Bill Pond picnic area

You have the choice of climbing the ridge edge or taking the more gradual route up the valley behind. On top on the ridge there are views to Moose Mountain, down the valley, and across the Elbow River.

Little Elbow Interpretive

2.5 km one way

Forgetmenot Pond picnic area, Little Elbow picnic area

From Forgetmenot Pond, the trail leads through the picnic area to the Little Elbow River, and follows upstream to the end of Little Elbow campground.

McLean Creek Interpretive

1.2 km return

McLean Creek amphitheatre parking

A short stroll through pine and spruce forest, wetlands and meadows.

Nihahi Ridge

2.5 km one way

390 m gain

Little Elbow Trail, 0.5 km west of campground

Switchbacks up to the shoulder of Nihahi ridge, a quick dive across the open saddle, then straight up the ridge edge.

Moose Mountain

7.3 km one way

470 m gain

End of Moose Mountain road

An old fireroad that follows Moose Ridge and switchbacks up Moose Dome.

Powderface Ridge

7 km one way

640 m gain

End of Hwy. 66 or three-trail pass

A strenuous climb from either end, with great views and flower-filled meadows at the top.

Riverview

4 km one way

102 m gain

Paddy's Flat Loop Trail, Elbow Valley Trail across from Padd's Flat campground turnoff.

This trail wanders through aspen and mixed woods up the escarpment over the Elbow River. This trail has great views of the river canyon. Also a good wildflower trail.

Trail Name

Distance / Elevation Gain

Access

Remarks

Bluerock Interpretive Trail

2 km one way

Hwy 546 at Bluerock Creek, or west end of Bluerock campground

Views of mountains, river valleys, impressive creek canyons, water erosion and rock formations, as well as the remains of a saw mill.

Sandy McNabb Interpretive Trail

1.7 km loop trail

Sandy McNabb Interpretive Trail parking lot

A pleasant walk through mixed forest and meadow with viewpoints over the Sheep River valley.

Bluerock Creek

9 km one way

265 m gain

Junction Creek parking lot

A strenuous hike with excellent scenery. Bench 4.5 km from trailhead has great views of Bluerock valley.

Link Creek

11.5 km one way

510 m gain

Ware Creek, or Volcano Ridge parking lots

Rolling terrain, mixed woods. Steep climb to the top of Volcano Ridge.

Green Mountain

3.5 km one way

260 m gain

0.5 km past junction of Junction Mountain and Sheep trails

A gently rolling trail over a low pass. Wildflower meadows near east end.