Hiking and Backpacking

Level 1

Up to 9km round-trip on flat or rolling terrain and good trails, with up to 200m of elevation gain at a relaxed pace with frequent breaks. For those with little or no hiking experience.

Bow Valley Loop A perfect early-spring destination, this small trail visits a variety of glacier-carved features and early flowers. 7km, 100m gain.

Dyson Falls This short hike begins at a dramatic section of the Sheep River, and finishes at a meadowringed waterfall. 9km, 160m gain.

Level 2

A 7–10km round trip on rolling terrain and mostly good trails with up to 300m of elevation gain. We hike for 3-4 hours at a relaxed pace with breaks. For those with little hiking experience in fair physical condition.

Karst Spring Visit a clear lake, then hike up to a spring that emerges from rock and flows down in a mossy cascade. 10km, 200m gain.

Foran Grade Ridge This rolling hike ascends to a ridgetop in every shade of green; beautiful in any weather conditions. 7.5km, 250m gain.

Tryst Lake Far off the beaten path, this short but steep trail leads to a small tarn ringed with golden larch trees. 6km, 300m gain.

Level 3

A 9–12km hike on varied terrain with up to 450m of elevation gain. May include some off-trail travel or creek crossings. We hike for 4–5 hours at a moderate pace. For those with some hiking experience in good physical condition.

Rummel Lake Travel through open hillside and mixed forest to a deep blue-green lake surrounded by meadows, larch trees, and tall peaks. 10km, 350m gain.

Yamnuska Valley Loop Tucked under the tall cliff of Mount Yamnuska, this low, rolling trail tours a variety of terrain with lots of spring flowers. 13km, 300m gain.

Grass Pass This route leads up a steady ascent to a broad pass in the Highwood area with many viewpoints. 5km, 425m gain.

Picklejar Lakes This trail leads up and over a small pass to a perfect subalpine valley with multiple lakes to visit. 12km, 475m gain.

Level 4

12–16km of long and/or steep hikes on varied terrain with up to 600m of elevation gain. May include off-trail travel, rocky terrain, bush, or creek crossings. We hike for 5–6 hours at a moderate pace. For those with hiking experience in strong physical condition.

Upper Kananaskis Lake Circuit This moderate hike circumnavigates the lake with a combination of flat and rolling terrain for a great diversity of views from each of the different shores. 16km, 300m gain.

Burstall Pass Hike through a variety of terrain including a glacial floodplain and subalpine meadows to reach a vast, rambling pass that’s equally spectacular with summer wildflowers or autumn larch. 15km, 450m gain.

Buller Pass This trail winds through a prescribed burn now regrown in various colours and above the trees entirely to a high mountain pass between two spectacularly scenic valleys. 15km, 600m gain