Create an account sign-up-diamond

Start your adventure today.

Already a member? Login

Kananaskis Highlands Backpacking Adventure

Chat with us on our contact page or fill out the form below!

Kananaskis Highlands Backpacking Adventure
From $1,350USDBook Now
Your itineraryDates & pricesReviews
5 days from $1,350USD
Easy quote
Looking down on the valley in Kananaskis
Personalized Service
Let our experienced travel advisors plan your perfect adventure

Have you heard of Banff’s little sister, Kananaskis? This collection of provincial parks and wildlands make up one of the best hiking destinations in Canada. With scenery that’s just as good as the big national parks but comes with fewer people on the trail, this is the ideal place to get backpacking! The Kananaskis Highlands Backpacking Adventure shows you the very best of this special place!

Spend 5 days on the Kananaskis Highlands Backpacking Adventure, hiking deep into the wilderness to discover tightly-packed limestone peaks, beautifully pristine lakes, and miles of wild forest. The mountain panoramas are breathtaking, and each night you’ll be cozied up under these dramatic mountains in your campsites. This is a real adventure and a chance to get away from it all!

Canada, North America
Happiness promise

Kananaskis Highlands Backpacking Adventure

Backpack through Kananaskis Country for 5 days
4.60
(93 reviews)
5 days from $1,350USD
Easy quote
Duration
5 days
Season
Aug
Activity
Trekking
Type
Guided, Scheduled
Accommodation
Campsites
Difficulty
Hard (4/5)
From $1,350USD (see prices for this tour)
Get a quote
Got any questions?
Ask a question
National Geographic
Guardian
FodorsTravel
Time
Backpacker
National Geographic
Guardian
Looking down on the valley in Kananaskis
Personalized Service
Let our experienced travel advisors plan your perfect adventure

Have you heard of Banff’s little sister, Kananaskis? This collection of provincial parks and wildlands make up one of the best hiking destinations in Canada. With scenery that’s just as good as the big national parks but comes with fewer people on the trail, this is the ideal place to get backpacking! The Kananaskis Highlands Backpacking Adventure shows you the very best of this special place!

Spend 5 days on the Kananaskis Highlands Backpacking Adventure, hiking deep into the wilderness to discover tightly-packed limestone peaks, beautifully pristine lakes, and miles of wild forest. The mountain panoramas are breathtaking, and each night you’ll be cozied up under these dramatic mountains in your campsites. This is a real adventure and a chance to get away from it all!

rating
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
Trip highlights

Explore Kananaskis Country, an area with views that rival those of Banff but with lighter crowds to contend with.

Discover remote mountain scenery full of peaks, lakes, meadows, and dramatic ridgelines.

Test your strength over 5 days of backpacking designed for the strong intermediate hiker.

Camp each evening in the Canadian backcountry, disconnecting from it all to fully experience the mountains.

We are Australian
We know Adventure
10Adventures only does Hiking, Cycling and Adventure Holidays. Its our mission to help you explore the world!

Trip map

Travellers love 10Adventures

View all
Day by day itinerary
Expand all days
Day 1
See more
Meeting and Hike to Three Isle Lake
Begin the tour with a meeting in Canmore to check everyone’s gear before leaving. Drive along the beautiful Smith-Dorrien Highway to your trailhead, where you’ll hike around the Upper Kananaskis Lakes and along the Kananaskis River. End your hike at Three Isle Lake, where you’ll camp tonight.
Distance 10.2km, 525m elevation gain
Overnight Location Camping in Kananaskis
Included Meals Lunch, dinner
Day 2
See more
Day Hike to Northover Ridge
Hike up above the treeline to experience the views from Northover Ridge (2800m). Hike west into the Royal Group and then return to camp for an evening of fishing, stories, and relaxing.
Distance 10km, 600m elevation gain
Overnight Location Camping in Kananaskis
Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3
See more
Three Isle to Turbine Canyon
Wake up in paradise, then pack up and head to the Continental Divide through South Kananaskis Pass (2360m), crossing into British Columbia. Pass Beatty Lake and make a big climb to North Kananaskis Pass. Back in Alberta, enjoy a nice view of Maude Lake before heading down to your campsite at Turbine Canyon.
Distance 14.2km, 730m elevation gain
Overnight Location Camping in Kananaskis
Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4
See more
Turbine Canyon to Forks Campground
The views you’ll enjoy as you hike out of Turbine Canyon are fantastic! Take your time in this area before leaving en route to Lawson Lake, where you’ll start your descent to Forks Campground.
Distance 7.8km, 400m elevation loss
Overnight Location Camping in Kananaskis
Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5
See more
Forks Campground to Kananaskis Lakes
After a final breakfast and coffee at camp, begin your return to civilization by hiking through the Upper Kananaskis River Valley to the Upper Kananaskis Lake. Retrace your way back to Canmore, where the group can choose to go out for a celebratory dinner together.
Distance 7km, 100m elevation loss
Overnight Location None
Included Meals Breakfast, lunch

Why book with 10 Adventures?

We know adventure

Founded by experienced travellers, active and adventure vacations are all we do.

Experience the trip of a lifetime organized by a team of travel specialists who combine knowledge and passion for adventure travel.

Self-guided specialists

With over 600 tours across 30+ countries, we specialize in self-guided tours.

Combine the freedom of travelling on your own with the confidence that all of your logistics are taken care of.

Packed with value

Get everything you need for your next vacation with one easy booking.

We take care of accommodations, luggage transfers, gear rentals, and more - so you can focus on making memories.

World Class support

Get unbeatable support at every step of your journey.

Whether you are planning or travelling, no matter what your question, a real human is always a call or click away.

Hassle free bookings

Have peace of mind for when travel plans change.

Explore our flexible booking, payment, and cancellation options, as well as our Lifetime Deposits program.

Reviews
5
76
4
7
3
3
2
1
7
4.60 (93 reviews)
Sort by: Newest
Dates and prices

This guided backpacking tour in the Canadian Rockies is run as a fixed-departure tour where you’d be joining a group.

Prices below are per person:

StartFinishDurationPlaces LeftPrice

2025-08-11

Upper Kananaskis Lake

6 days / 5+ Spaces Left

2025-08-15

Upper Kananaskis Lake

65+
$1,350USD
What’s included

Meals

4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 4 dinners are included. If you have special dietary requirements, these may incur an additional fee.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 4 nights are included on this tour. Accommodations before or after the tour are not included but can be booked as a supplement.

Transportation During the Tour

Participants are responsible for their own transportation to Canmore and will be driven from Canmore to the trailhead. We recommend renting a car or booking a shuttle. Canmore is about an hour from Calgary.

Also Included

  • Tents
  • Guide services

Not Included

  • Flights
  • Meals, drinks, or snacks
  • Travel insurance
  • Optional excursions
  • Visas if required
  • Anything not mentioned as included
  • GST (5%)

Optional Extras

  • Special dietary requirement meals

Not included

undefined

Accommodation for Kananaskis Highlands Backpacking Adventure

This tour is based in campsites. You’ll be in 2-3 person tents with no or limited facilities. Participants should be comfortable with a rustic camping experience.

In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.

Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
There are no single rooms available on this tour as all accommodations are communal. There may be a minimum required group size, so please contact us about joining an existing group if you are a solo traveller.

Non-Standard Cancellation

  • 60 days or more prior to departure: the cancellation fee will be 10% of the total trip cost (at least $150 CAD).
  • 59 days or less prior to departure: the cancellation fee will be 100% of the total trip cost. 
Frequently asked questions

How hard is the Kananaskis Highlands Backpacking Adventure?

We rate this tour as a 4/5. This tour is not recommended for beginner hikers. You should have experience hiking and a solid level of fitness to enjoy this tour, as you’ll be hiking an average of 10-14km each day for consecutive days at high elevations and sleeping in very basic conditions, as well as carrying a backpack of up to 16 kg (35 lbs).

Do I need a visa to travel to Canada?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.

Are meals included on the Kananaskis Highlands Backpacking Adventure?

6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 6 dinners are included. If you have special dietary requirements, these may incur an additional fee.

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip. Please verify that your insurance covers the included activities on this tour. Get your Travel Insurance.

How do I get to Canmore to start this tour?

Fly into the Calgary International Airport (YYC). We recommend you rent a car or book a shuttle as there is no included transportation between Calgary and the meeting point on this tour.

Is the Kananaskis Highlands Backpacking Adventure guided?

Yes, you will be led by an experienced guide.

Do I need to carry my gear myself?

Yes, you will carry everything you need, as well as a share of the common food and equipment.

Where does the Kananaskis Highlands Backpacking Adventure end?

The tour ends in Canmore. You will be responsible for finding your own way back to the airport after the tour.

What do I need to bring?

We’ve given a basic gear list below, but please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about your gear, as you’ll need to carry it!

  • Boots
  • Multiday pack (55-75 litres)
  • Pack cover
  • Daypack
  • Water bottle or bladder (1-2 litres)
  • Sunglasses
  • Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
  • Pillow
  • Sunscreen, SPF lip balm
  • Camera
  • Headlamp with fresh batteries
  • Blister kit
  • Earplugs
  • First aid items (guides carry a first aid kit, but you may bring your own Band-Aids and anti-inflammatory medication if desired)
  • Personal toiletries, including hand sanitizer
  • Bug spray
  • Plastic mug, bowl, and eating utensils
  • Trekking poles (optional)
  • Toque
  • Insulated jacket
  • Fleece jacket
  • Hiking pants
  • Light footwear for creek crossing or camping
  • Hiking socks
  • Long underwear

Do I need special vaccine to s travel to Canada?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for Canada?

Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

When is the best time to travel to Canada for this tour?

The best time to visit the Rockies for this tour is in July and August when the weather in the mountains is at its warmest and sunniest.

Back to top
Why travellers choose this tour
At 10Adventures, it’s easy to make memories with the following six optional inclusions on this tour:
We're Canadian
Book with a Canadian company whose mission is to help you travel the world.

Get travel inspiration and discounts

Join our weekly travel newsletter