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Kananaskis Country

Hikes in Kananaskis Country

We love hiking in Kananaskis Country. There is so much hiking in The Kananaskis that we have broken the region into four smaller regions. These regions are based around major access roads into the Kananaskis. You can see the regions in the icons below.

Located south of Banff National Park, Kananaskis Country (also known as K-country or The Kananaskis) is a stunning collection of provincial parks that is still largely undiscovered by tourists. This means you can usually expect fewer crowds on hikes in the Kananaskis compared to hikes in Banff National Park.

The main access road into the Kananaskis is along Highway 40, also known as Kananaskis Trail. We also include the hikes around the Kananaskis Lakes in this region. The best hikes along Highway 40 includes hikes in Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park and Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park. There is a summer-only area at the southern end of Highway 40 known as the Highwood, which has some incredible family-friendly hikes.

The other major access road into the Kananaskis is Highway 742 (Smith Dorrien Trail). The best hikes along the Smith Dorrien includes hikes in Spray Valley Provincial Park and hikes in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.

Finally, there are two main access roads that go from east to west into Kananaskis. The first road is Highway 66, which includes great hikes around Bragg Creek and out on Highway 66 towards Little Elbow, and is adjacent to Don Getty Wildland Park. The second road is Highway 546, which leads to hikes in Sheep River Provincial Park and Bluerock Wildland Provincial Park. These hikes along the Sheep River and combined in a region with hikes

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9.9 overall rating
Kananaskis – Smith Dorrien

Tent Ridge Horseshoe

The Tent Ridge hike is spectacular. Tent Ridge is the location for many of the incredible photos you regularly see on social media, showing stunning peaks over the Spray Lakes. Tent Ridge is a wonderful hike, though there is a bit of a scramble on the way up Tent Ridge that some hikers don’t like, which is why we rate this as a 4/5 instead of a 3/5.
Hard
10.4 km
747 m
4-5.5h
9.8 overall rating
Kananaskis Trail

Lillian and Galatea Lakes

The hike to Galatea Lakes is spectacular. The first bit to Lillian Lake is through forest, the route above Lillian Lake is outstanding, especially the circuit around Lower Galatea Lake. This hike takes in Lillian Lake, Lower Galatea Lake and Upper Galatea Lake.
Hard
16.7 km
740 m
5-7h
9.8 overall rating
Kananaskis – Smith Dorrien

Burstall Pass

The hike to Burstall Pass is an iconic Canmore route for good reason – it's stunning! Although a great trail for intermediates, those with energy can scramble up Snow Peak for one of the best views in the Rockies. And in autumn, the sights of the larches are incredible!
Moderate
15.5 km
450 m
4-5.5h
9.7 overall rating
Kananaskis Trail

Sarrail Ridge Hike via Rawson Lake

The hike to Sarrail Ridge offers some of the most stunning views in the Canadian Rockies, it is truly spectacular. The final push up Sarrail Ridge is also perhaps the steepest hike we share in the Canadian Rockies. The informal route is degraded and challenging, and not one we’d do when icy or wet.
Hard
11.5 km
670 m
4-5.5h
9.9 overall rating
Kananaskis – Smith Dorrien

Chester Lake Hike

The Chester Lake hike is a great family route in Canmore, complete with a stunning alpine meadow and glistening lake nestled among towering peaks. The walk is perfect for multiple seasons, whether you come to snowshoe or take a ski tour in winter, or to see the larches change color in autumn. The trail is closed from May to late-June each year to prevent trail damage.
Easy
9.3 km
320 m
2.5-3.5h
No Ratings
Kananaskis Country

Cox Hill Hike

Hiking Cox Hill Ridge is a great way to spend a half-day in the summer. Save this one for wildflower season, and you won’t be disappointed. The multi-use trail can get busy with bikers, hikers, and runners, so be prepared to run into some speedy trail users.
Hard
13.4 km
774 m
4.5-6.5h
9.9 overall rating
Kananaskis – Smith Dorrien

West Wind Pass

West Wind Pass is a great hike! It’s not too busy and is a perfect hike for people who want to get stunning views without a ton of elevation gain. We love the vista back to the Spray Lakes Reservoir as well as at the views from West Wind Pass itself.
Easy
5.0 km
390 m
2-2.5h
9.9 overall rating
Kananaskis Trail

Pocaterra Ridge Hike

This wonderful hike along Pocaterra Ridge is a stunner! A challenging hike, but with spectacular views, we love hiking Pocaterra Ridge in autumn with the beautiful fall colours. Pocaterra Ridge is known as one of the best places to hike among the autumn larch trees in Alberta.
Hard
12.0 km
985 m
5-7h
9.8 overall rating
Kananaskis – Smith Dorrien

Rummel Pass

The hike to Rummel Pass is spectacular, and not nearly as popular as it should be. While hiking to Rummel Lake is a Kananaskis classic, pushing to Rummel Pass is completely worth it, offering interesting terrain and stunning views from Rummel Pass.
Hard
17.6 km
570 m
4.5-6.5h
9.8 overall rating
Kananaskis Trail

Rawson Lake

The hike to Rawson Lake is one of the most popular in the Kananaskis Lakes area. It’s a pleasant path through the forest up to Rawson Lake, but the hike around the side of the water’s edgeis what truly makes this a spectacular hike.
Easy
7.8 km
320 m
2.5-3h
9.8 overall rating
Kananaskis – Smith Dorrien

Buller Pass

The hike to Buller Pass is one of the most spectacular in Canmore. It’s perfect for intermediate hikers, and despite the region still recovering from a forest fire, there are beautiful views and wildflowers throughout the trail. Once above treeline enjoy stunning views all the way to the pass!
Moderate
14.6 km
685 m
4.5-6.5h
10 overall rating
Kananaskis Country

Eagle Hill Trail

The Eagle Hill trail climbs the foothills of Kananaskis Country to reach a ridge that looks out into the Prairies. It is an easy-to-follow, gradual trail that is the perfect day trip from Sibbald Lake Campground. There are no technical sections on this trail, making it excellent for hikers of various abilities.
Moderate
14.2 km
453 m
4-5.5h
9.8 overall rating
Kananaskis – Smith Dorrien

Windtower

A hike up Windtower is an underappreciated gem of the Canadian Rockies. First take in West Wind pass and then find the path up Windtower for spectacular views in all directions, especially back towards the Spray Lakes Reservoir. Windtower is one of our favourite hikes in the Kananaskis.
Hard
10.7 km
1,005 m
4.5-6.5h
9.7 overall rating
Kananaskis – Smith Dorrien

Headwall Lakes

The Headwall Lakes hike is not as popular as it should be. This walk takes you up into the alpine to a barren and stunning limestone valley and the beautiful Headwall Lakes. Many people hike through this valley on the way to the summit of The Fortress.
Hard
14.9 km
535 m
4-6h
9.7 overall rating
Kananaskis Trail

Troll Falls Hike

Troll Falls is a classic, family-friendly hike near Nakiska, that’s popular year-round. While Troll Falls is certainly a pretty view, our favourite part of the walk is the return journey through Hay Meadow, where you walk along the Kananaskis River and take in wonderful views.
Very Easy
3.7 km
60 m
1h
9.8 overall rating
Kananaskis – Smith Dorrien

Sparrowhawk Tarns

The pretty hike to the Sparrowhawk Tarns is a hard trail to follow, however once you reach the tarns, the beautiful views make up for the route-finding challenges. Don’t wait until autumn, as the tarns dry up and are not as stunning.
Hard
14.9 km
720 m
4.5-6.5h
9.8 overall rating
Kananaskis Trail

Opal Ridge

The hike along Opal Ridge is a wonderful hike. This steep hike requires the use of hands to steady you on the way up to Opal Ridge, however the views from the top are spectacular. We love the hike to Opal Ridge.
Hard
6.3 km
900 m
3.5-5h
9.8 overall rating
Kananaskis – Smith Dorrien

Old Goat Glacier

The hike to Old Goat Glacier is a classic Kananaskis hike on the Smith-Dorrien. While not as popular as other trails, this is a fun hike that is great for intermediate hikers who don’t mind a few steep bits. There are great views of the Old Goat Glacier as well as back towards the Spray Lakes Reservoir.
Moderate
9.6 km
705 m
3.5-5h
9.7 overall rating
Kananaskis Trail

Wasootch Ridge

Wasootch Ridge is an easy choice as one of the best hikes near Canmore. Once you are up on the ridgeline, the valley feels isolated, with no other sounds or trails visible. This is a great day out!
Moderate
11.7 km
750 m
4-6h
9.9 overall rating
Kananaskis – Smith Dorrien

Black Prince Lakes and Cirque

The hike to Black Prince Cirque and then Black Prince Lakes is stunning. This hike takes you to a classic Kananaskis cirque and then the beautiful Black Prince Lakes. It’s hard to believe so few people take the time to hike up to Black Prince Lakes and Black Prince Cirque.
Moderate
13.9 km
680 m
4.5-6h

1-20 of 100 routes

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