Kananaskis Country is an impressive multi-use recreational area in the foothills and front ranges of the Canadian Rockies. Several provincial parks and campgrounds are located within Kananaskis, including Peter Lougheed, Spray Valley, and Bragg Creek Provincial Park. As one of our favourite areas for adventuring, K-Country is home to some of Alberta’s most incredible views, wildlife, and activities.
This region is chock-full of remarkable mountains, lakes, and campgrounds, with beauty and excitement around every corner. You can’t go wrong with any hikes in Kananaskis Country, but this blog post will outline our top recommendations.
Many people skip this area and head straight for Banff National Park. In our opinion, though, that is a huge mistake! Kananaskis has views that give Banff a run for its money, with fewer crowds and a more untouched feel.
Here are a few things you need to know before planning any hikes in Kananaskis Country:
ALWAYS Leave No Trace and be respectful of wildlife
We strongly believe that the outdoors is for everyone, but it breaks our hearts when we see visitors leaving trash, approaching wildlife, and negatively impacting the environment. It is SO important to take good care of these public lands so that we can all continue to enjoy them for years to come.
ALWAYS pack out what you packed in(this includes toilet paper!). Never approach wildlife, and store your food in bear-safe bins or in your vehicle overnight. Once a bear gets comfortable with people and associates them with high-calorie food, it becomes dangerous to the public, and the bear needs to be euthanized.
We know capturing wildlife on your phones is exciting, but getting out of your vehicle and approaching them puts these beautiful creatures (and your safety) at risk.
Come prepared
The hikes in Kananaskis Country are absolutely stunning, but this area is more remote and rugged than most of the popular hikes in Banff. Cell reception is minimal, and you are likely to see fewer people on the trails. Make sure to:
- Download an offline map before you arrive at the trailhead.
- Hike with bear spray, make noise, and familiarize yourself with bear safety.
- Bring adequate food, water, and a first-aid kit.
- Wear appropriate footwear.
- Have a way to call for help if necessary (we use the Garmin inReach).
Accommodation Options
If you want to stay in Kananaskis Country, there are several options available.
- There are numerous campgrounds(both reservable and first-come, first-served).
- Mount Engadine Lodge is a rustic mountain lodge with a fantastic breakfast and stunning views.
- The Kananaskis Mountain Lodge is a luxurious stay with access to The Nordic Spa.
- Several hotels in Canmore offer great access to K-Country. Here’s a map with a few of our favourites.
*By booking accommodation through our maps and links, you support us at no additional cost to you. We appreciate you!🥰*
Now, it’s time to get into the good stuff! Here are 15 of our favourite hikes in Kananaskis Country, Alberta.
Smutwood Peak
DIFFICULT: 17.9km & 929m elevation
Smutwood Peak is challenging but 100% worth the effort. The first half is fairly flat, winding you through a meadow full of wildflowers and along a creek. Once you begin climbing, though, it is more or less steady all the way to the peak.
We woke up at 3 am to make it to the top for sunrise and would highly recommend it if you are a sunrise hiker. This area has a large population of bears, so bring bear spray and travel in groups of 4 or more if possible.
Tent Ridge
DIFFICULT: 10.1km & 828m elevation
Tent Ridge offers some of the best views of Spray Lake in the valley and makes for a great loop trail instead of your standard out-and-back. The first section is gradual and straightforward, but things get steep in a hurry after that.
Once you near the top, there is a bit of a scramble. This area is known to have a higher bear population, so check the Alberta Parks website for any closures and always carry bear spray.
Reads Tower
DIFFICULT: 8km & 860m elevation
This trail has a tough incline, but the views at the top are absolutely stunning. Novice hikers should know that it’s a hard climb up and can be even trickier coming down. Make sure to bring poles for the rocky descents. Read’s Tower is a less crowded alternative to Little Lougheed, offering similar views.
Two-thirds of the way up, there’s a fork where many people choose to turn around. The left path leads to Mount Sparrowhawk, while the right path goes to Read’s Tower. The final stretch is all loose scree that takes time to navigate but rewards you with amazing views of the surrounding mountains and Spray Lakes below.
Galatea Lakes
DIFFICULT: 16.4km & 838m elevation
The Galatea Lakes hike in Spray Valley Provincial Park is a popular trail with incredibly scenic views. The trail begins with several bridges crossing over Galatea Creek and is mostly forested up to Lillian Lake. From there, the path to the upper and lower Galatea Lakes is steep and exposed. Hiking shoes, poles and layers are recommended.
There’s a large parking lot right off Highway 40, making the trailhead easily accessible. Hikers can stop at Lillian Lake and both Galatea Lakes, plus there are backcountry campgrounds along the route (reservations needed). For a longer adventure, you can continue to Ribbon Lake and make it a multi-day loop.
King Creek Ridge
DIFFICULT: 6.8km & 777m elevation
Do not underestimate this hike! King Creek Ridge may not look too harsh on paper, but this trail gets hella steep. The views from the top, though, of the surrounding mountain ranges and the Kananaskis Valley are entirely worth your effort.
The first few kilometres are where you gain almost all of your elevation, so once you reach the ridge, you can relax and enjoy the scenery. Hiking poles are beneficial for the steep section of this trail.
Blackshale Suspension Bridge
EASY: 6.1km & 333m elevation
This trail is located along Highway 747, near Kananaskis Lakes, and begins at the Black Prince parking lot. Even though you can technically park closer to the bridge, it is illegal to park on the shoulder of the highway.
The good news is that this trail is short and easy and runs parallel to the highway. Once there, the bridge boasts great photo opportunities!
Rawson Lake & Sarrail Ridge
DIFFICULT: 11.3km & 1066m elevation
The trail to Rawson Lake is only 3.9 km each way, with about 320 m of elevation gain. If you are a beginner or looking for a laid-back day hike, finish at the lake and enjoy your time there for the afternoon. If you’re up for a challenge, however, we would highly encourage you to move on to Sarrail Ridge.
With over 700m of elevation in the final 2 kilometres, it’s a thigh burner the entire way up! Your reward for reaching the top is an incredible panoramic view over Upper Kananaskis Lake. This trail is often closed for bear activity. Always check online before you go and respect the closures that are in place for your safety.
East End of Rundle (EEOR)
DIFFICULT: 5.1km & 832m elevation
The East End of Rundle (EEOR) is an iconic trail beginning outside of Canmore, AB. This hike starts in the trees and quickly becomes a scramble, with killer views throughout the second half. There is a false summit to the right where many hikers stop to catch their breath and enjoy the impressive lookout. The actual summit is another 20-30 minutes up to the left.
Mist Mountain Hot Springs
DIFFICULT: 6.4km & 655m elevation
Mist Mountain Hot Springs is one of the most rewarding hikes in Kananaskis Country. Located along Highway 40, this trail is remarkable, winding you through the forest, alpine meadows, and along a rocky ridge to get to the springs. There are two hot pools at the top with views of the entire valley.
TIP: This trail has become quite popular over the past few years. If you want to increase your chances of having the hot springs to yourself, either go early in the morning or for sunset on a weekday!
If you do happen to arrive at a busy time and want some peace and quiet, continue past the hot spring and around the mountain a few hundred meters. No one goes that way, and the views are excellent! We hung out there for about an hour and made some hot chocolate to escape the crowds after our soak.
Mount Yamnuska
difficult: 8.9km & 922m elevation
This is one of the first mountains you will see after leaving Calgary. Its large flat face on the north side of Highway 1 is a dead giveaway, and the trailhead is located right at the base of the mountain. The trail is well-marked as you make your way through the forest, but once you reach the tree line and start to scramble to the peak, it becomes a bit more difficult.
This route is so popular that people have carved out multiple different trails along the way. It’s a good idea to carry a GPS map on your phone to make sure you’re on the correct path. Getting closer to the peak, there is a chain in place to help you scale a small 20-foot ledge. The way down goes extremely quickly, as you can shale run about 1/3 of the mountain!
Ha Ling Peak
DIFFICULT: 7.2km & 748m elevation
Towering over the charming town of Canmore, Ha Ling is an impressive peak with some really unique aspects along the way. The first viewpoint is over the turquoise-blue water of Whiteman’s pond.
From there, you will climb several stairs (which make for a great photo op) before beginning the scramble to the top. The final section is often incredibly windy, so be sure to bring layers—even in the middle of the summer!
Carnarvon Lake
DIFFICULT: 20km & 900m elevation
Carnarvon Lake is known for its amazing blue colour and for being a “tarn lake.” This means an alpine lake formed in the cirque of a glacier. On a sunny day, the water looks more like a Caribbean beach than an alpine lake. This trail is not for beginners; it includes crossing the Highwood River and using a chain to scale a rock wall.
Once you reach the lake, hiking around the edge and up the ridge on the far end is worth it. This provides a beautiful lookout over Carnarvon Lake. Wild camping is allowed, and the fishing is great! It’s important to note that there are no services and a limited amount of firewood. Make sure to leave no trace!
This area is also popular for biking and horseback riding, so you must share the trail. There’s a good spot to leave your bike or tie up your horse before scaling the wall to the lake. The trailhead is located along Highway 40 and is closed annually from December 1st to June 14th.
Ribbon Lake
difficult: 21.7km & 949m elevation
The trailhead for Ribbon Lake is located right beside Kananaskis Village. This trail has two backcountry campgrounds, one at the base of Ribbon Falls and the other at Ribbon Lake. Although the hike to Ribbon Falls is 8km each way, the moderate elevation gain is gradual and very doable with your overnight gear! You will walk along Ribbon Creek and through the forest until the trees open up, and you get a spectacular view of the falls.
Either choose to stay at The Ribbon Falls Campground(must be reserved in advance) or jump right into the additional 2km hike up to Ribbon Lake. The 250m of final elevation is challenging and involves climbing up a chain secured to a steep rock face. Once you arrive at the lake, though, you will be rewarded with a sense of remote serenity and extreme beauty.
Porcupine Ridge
HARD: 10.8km & 904m elevation
Porcupine Ridge is close to Calgary and offers amazing views of the surrounding peaks and valleys! The first 0.5km of this hike involves walking along a creek bed before reaching the ridge.
Once you hit the beginning portion of Porcupine Ridge, you’ll gain elevation very quickly. The views are exceptional the entire way as you follow the ridge all the way up to the peak. Don’t forget to sign the pink book at the top before heading back down!
White Buddha
MODERATE: 3.7km & 298m elevation
Last but not least, this trailhead is located along Highway 66 near Bragg Creek. We love that it is close to Calgary and relatively short, making it a perfect evening sunset hike. The trail starts out fairly flat but quickly gains elevation as you make your way up to the lookout. The view from the top is absolutely beautiful and well worth the climb.
We hope you enjoyed this post on the best hikes in Kananaskis Country. Feel free to reach out with any questions or comment below about your favourite hike on the list; we’d love to hear from you!
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