Kananaskis Valley Summer Trails

PRAIRIE VIEW
5.9 km one way–
421 m/1368 ft.
elevation gain
QUAITE VALLEY
5.7 km one way
RIBBON CREEK/
LINK/KOVACH/
TERRACE LOOP
5.1 km return
SKOGAN PASS
10.2 km to pass,
19.4 km to Hwy. #1–
624 m/2050 ft.
elevation gain
SKOGAN/MARMOT
BASIN ROUTE
4.9 km one way–
620 m/1040 ft.
elevation gain
SKOGAN/RUTHIE'S/
TROLL FALLS/HAY
MEADOW LOOP
4 km return
SKOGAN/
SUNBURST/HIGH
LEVEL LOOP
12.7 km return–
400 m/1300 ft.
elevation gain
TERRACE/KOVACH/
ASPEN LOOP
7.4 km return–
100 m/325 ft.
elevation gain
TERRACE (SOUTH)
9.5 km one way
TERRACE/TERRACE
LINK LOOP
3 km return
Ribbon Creek
parking lot
Barrier Dam Day
Use
Barrier Dam Day
Use
Heart Creek
Trailhead/Barrier
Dam Day Use
Ribbon Creek
parking lot
Ribbon Creek
or Banff Gate
Mountain Resort
Ribbon Creek
Day Use
Ribbon Creek
Day Use
A forested route to the site of a coal
mine which operated from 1947 to
1952. This site is reclaimed but
offers great views.
Cross the dam and follow Stoney
Trail south to the turnoff. The trail
goes by secluded Jewell Falls.
Beautiful views of Barrier Lake.
This trail switchbacks through the
trees to a spectacular viewpoint
and on to traverse a plateau before
the downhill to Jewell Pass. Bike
carry required.
A pleasant trail to Quaite Valley
backcountry campground.
Scenic views of Ribbon Creek
and Mt. Bogart, an ancient forest,
a new forest and a fun run on a
mountain bike.
A scenic route over Skogan Pass.
Various forest types, flowers and
spectacular views.
Views of the Kananaskis Valley
and the cliffs along Marmot Creek,
ending in an old, lichen draped
forest.
Kananaskis Valley viewpoints along
Skogan Pass Trail. Troll Falls is
secluded. Hay Meadow passes by
the Kananaskis River.
A wonderful loop hike combining
all three trails. Wonderful views
throughout, especially at the top
of Sunburst Trail.
Ribbon Creek
Day Use
Views of the Kananaskis Valley
with two picnic spots at great
viewpoints.
Kananaskis Village
Colonel’s Cabin at U.
of C., Kananaskis
Field Station
BARRIER LAKE
INTERPRETIVE
1.5 km one way
Barrier Lake Day Use
(upper or lower)
BOW RIVER
INTERPRETIVE
2.5 km one way
Bow Valley
Campground or
Whitefish Day Use
CENTENNIAL RIDGE
6.4 km to summit,
16.9 km to Hwy. #1–
1340 m/4400 ft.
EAU CLAIRE
INTERPRETIVE
1.5 km return
ELK FLATS
1.9 km one way
FLOWING WATER
INTERPRETIVE
2 km loop
GALATEA CREEK
6.3 km to Lillian
Lake–
457 m/1500 ft.
WEDGE
CONNECTOR
2.4 km one way
Kananaskis Village
Kananaskis Village
A forested trail with occasional
views.
Eau Claire
Campground
Moraine Trail, Many
Springs Trailhead or
Elk Flats Day Use
Willow Rock
Campground
Galatea parking lot
GROTTO CREEK
1.9 km one way
HEART CREEK
INTERPRETIVE
2 km one way
HEART MOUNTAIN
2.8 km one way
745 m/2450 ft.
Grotto Mountain Day
Use on Hwy. #1A
Off Lac des Arcs
overpass on Hwy. #1
MANY SPRINGS
INTERPRETIVE
1.6 km loop
From Heart Creek
Trail, see above.
Difficult
MIDDLE LAKE
INTERPRETIVE
2.5 km loop
Many Springs
Trailhead in Bow
Valley Provincial Park
MONTANE
INTERPRETIVE
2.2 km loop
Middle Lake in Bow
Valley Provincial Park
MORAINE
INTERPRETIVE
1.5 km one way
Bow Valley Park
Visitor Centre
MOUNT KIDD
INTERPRETIVE
1.2 km return
Middle Lake or Bow
Valley Campground
RIBBON CREEK
8.1 km to falls/10.1
km to lake–350
m/1137 ft.
WASOOTCH CREEK
1 km one way
Views of the Kananaskis Valley,
golf course and Mt. Kidd.
Ribbon Creek parking
(take Hidden Trail for
.2 km) or Banff Gate
Mtn. Resort from
Hwy. #1
Mt. Kidd RV Park
Ribbon Creek parking
lot
WEDGE POND
1 km return
WIDOWMAKER
2 km one way
Wedge Pond Day
An easy trail with two loops and
viewpoints. Signs explain local
environment and forestry.
A short, uphill hike to a ridge,
giving excellent views of Barrier
Lake and Kananaskis Valley.
A scenic trail following the Bow
River. Angling opportunities.
Signs describe the river
environment.
A steep trail over the top of
Mt. Allan with panoramic views.
Allow 4-6 hours to summit (2819
m/9249 ft.) 6-9 hours for total
length of trail. Difficult.
An easy trail along the Kananaskis
River.
TRAIL
ACCESS
REMARKS
GALATEA CREEK
6.5 km to Lillian
Lake–457 m/1500
ft.
1.5 km more to
Upper Galatea
154 m/500 ft.
Galatea parking lot
See Day Hikes section. Camping
at
Lillian Lake. Trail rises steeply for
1.5 km to the Upper Galatea Lake
in a spectacular alpine cirque.
GUINN’S PASS
3.0 km one way
457 m/1500 ft.
QUAITE VALLEY
5.7 km (3.7 km to
camp from Heart
Creek Trailhead)
Heart Creek Trailhead or
Barrier Dam Day Use
RIBBON FALLS/
LAKE
8.1 km to falls one
way–350 m/1137
ft. and 10.1 km to
lake one way–594
m/1930 ft.
Ribbon Creek parking lot
Trail has forest and meadows
with views.
Good views of the mountain and
Kananaskis River. Observation
deck over beaver pond. Signs
describe water cycle.
A strenuous day hike past
canyons and waterfalls with great
views. Lillian Lake is nestled in
the trees. 1.5 km further to the
Upper Galatea Lake.
Trail initially follows a small
powerline, passes Baymag Plant
and winds up a narrow canyon
with vertical rock walls and a
waterfall.
Trail follows the narrow creek
canyon over 7 bridges to a
hidden waterfall.
Climbs steeply up Heart
Mountain for superb views of
the Bow Valley and Heart Creek
Valley.
Trail encircles a wetland basin with
uncommon plants; observation
deck over boil springs. Signs
describe environment.
Meanders through forest and
meadows, skirts Middle Lake.
A gentle trail through forest
and meadows. Signs describe
montane forest community.
Scenic mountain views. The trail
follows the crest of a glacial
ridge. Signs describe glacial
features.
A short trail giving access to
the Kananaskis River and onto
on island. Signs describe water
power.
A spectacular valley hike hemmed
in by massive cliffs on Mt. Kidd &
Mt. Bogart. Ribbon Falls is at
the backcountry campground.
Mountain bikes permissible for 5
km. Bike rack available.
From Ribbon Lake or
Galatea Creek trails
To
Hwy.
#40
Village
Maintenance
This spectacular trail connects
Ribbon Lake and Lillian Lake
backcountry campgrounds.
Outstanding views.
Helistop
Bill
Milne
Paved
Trail
Staff
Housing
N
A pleasant trail to Quaite Valley
backcountry campground.
Terrace
Drive
Centennial
Drive
See Ribbon Falls day hike. From
the falls a steep hike to the cliff
with two chains which must be
negotiated to reach the lake.
Bus Parking
RV Parking
Trails For Horseback Riders, Bikers & Hikers
TRAIL
ACCESS
REMARKS
EVAN-THOMAS
14 km to pass one
way
Evan-Thomas Trailhead
An unmaintained extension of the
1.7 km Evan-Thomas trail. A long
way in the trees, then open views
and creek crossings. Spectacular
at
and near the pass.
STONEY/
RUTHIE’S/
SKOGAN PASS
18.4 km one way,
624 m/2050 ft.
Stoney parking or Banff
Gate Mountain Resort
STONEY
21.3 km one way
Stoney parking lot, Barrier
Dam Day Use or Grouse/
Owl Group Camp
A steady uphill climb. Spectacular
views. Goes over the top of
Skogan
Pass.
A long, open trail following the
Tennis
Courts
Terrace
Trail
Basketball
Playground
Delta
Lodge at
Kananaskis
Village
Centre
Mount
Village
Kidd
Pond &
Manor
Plaza
Delta
Signature
Club
Activity
Pad
Skating
Rink
Toboggan
Hill
Sportsfield
Viewpoint #1
Village
Rim
Paved Trail
Village
Rim Link
Viewpoint #2
Viewpoint #3
1
1
1A
The Kananaskis Valley is managed as a Natural Heritage Site within
Alberta’s network of recreation and protected areas. This ensures that
its provincially significant natural, cultural, and historical resources are
protected,
while
providing
quality
recreational
and
educational experiences for visitors.
The valley is part of the Central Rocky Mountain Ecosystem.
The wildlife you see here move throughout this
large ecosystem. To help protect the animals and
the health of the ecosystem, please minimize your
impact on the environment.
There are natural hazards in the Kananaskis Valley.
You are responsible for your own safety.
Find out from conservation officers or from
any Kananaskis Country visitor centre of
Viewpoint #4
Viewpoint #5
Summer Trails
8
22
66
22
22X
742
549
40
7
546
22
543
40
22
N
541
940
532
940
Backcountry
Campgrounds
Facilities
*Seasonal Closure
QUAITE VALLEY
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
LILLIAN LAKE*
RIBBON FALLS*
Terrace Trail
South
Kananaskis Valley
Calgary
1
68
40
RIBBON LAKE*
JEWELL BAY*
•
MTN. BIKING TRAILS
JEWELL PASS
2.5 km one way–
250 m/812 ft.
elevation gain
7.1 km from dam
A forested trail linking to the Wedge
Connector.
This paved path goes from the
village, along Ribbon Creek,
passes near the golf course and
Mt. Kidd RV Park to Wedge Pond.
ACCESSREMARKS
BARRIER LAKE
FORESTRY
INTERPRETIVE
TRAILS
2.3 km return
FISHING
HIDDEN/COAL MINE
2 or 2.4 km–
246 m/800 ft.
elevation gain
Kananaskis Village,
Wedge Pond, Mt.
Kidd RV Park or
Kovach Pond
Rolling terrain with forest and
meadows. Good views. Paved
trail.
TRAIL
PACKRACK/LOCKER
BILL MILNE
PAVED BIKE PATH
9.7 km one way
Evan-Thomas
Trailhead
An easy trail; then steep through
trees to a good view at the pass.
Bike carry required.
FIREPIT/FIREWOOD
EVAN-THOMAS
1.7 km one way
Bow Valley Park
Visitor Centre
or Bow Valley
Campground road
REMARKS
TOILETS
BOW VALLEY
Park Bike Path
4.4 km one way
ACCESS
Porcupine/Baldy
Pass Trailhead
parking or
Wasootch parking
22
WATER
BALDY PASS
4 or 6.9 km to pass–
490 m/1592 ft.
elevation gain
Kananaskis Village
PINIC TABLES
TRAIL
Overnight Trails For Hikers
The way to Kananaskis Valley
Day Trails For Hikers
Day Trails For Bikers & Hikers
•
•
•
•
•
For More Information
Barrier Lake Visitor Information Centre . . . . . . . . 403-673-3985
Service Alberta Call Centre (toll free in Alberta) . . . . . . 310-0000
http://www.Kananaskis-Country.ca
Campground Reservations
Group Campgrounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-673-2163
Backcountry camping permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-678-3136
Emergency
If you require Fire, Ambulance, Police or Mountain Rescue
assistance, immediately call 9-1-1. Tell the operator you have an
emergency in Kananaskis Country.
any hazards that may be in the areas you are travelling.
ISBN: 0-7732-5137-5
Pub. No.: I/651
Printed July 2011
2 km to
Yamnuska
Day Use
Area
Goat
Slabs
1X
Brewster’s
Kananaskis
Guest Ranch
Loder
Peak
2,088 m
Nanny Goat
Buttress
Moraine
00
Exshaw
Creek
Exshaw
Mountain
1,783 m
Grotto Mountain
Open May 1st October Long
Weekend
1.5
2.5
Middle
Lake
1.6
Grotto
Creek
2.5
1A
0
150
0.2
Exshaw
Waterfowl
Viewing
Gap
Lake
1.5
Lac des
Arcs
Lac des Arcs
0.8
Heart
Creek
McGillivray
Slabs
Quaite
Valley
18
2.0
00
Barrier
Lake
Lusk
Pass
2.7
1800
00
1500
Mount
McGillivray
2,450 m
Colonel’s
Cabin
00
Barrier
Bluffs
1500
18
14.0
Jewell Bay
2100 Equestrian
(Seasonal closure)
Area closed
between
December 1 and
June 15
to protect
important
wildlife habitat
Barrier
Lake
1.5
1800
Centennial
Pigeon
Ridge (aka
Creek
Mt Allan North
Approach)
Trail closed between
April 1 and June 21 to
protect important
wildlife habitat
24
Baldy 3.4
Pass
1.3
Mount
Baldy
2,212 m
Baldy
Pass
6.3
180
O’ Shaughnessy
Falls
Skogan
Pass
2400
00
18
1800
Wind
Creek
Baldy
Pass
Stoney
10.0
10.5
0
Mount
Lorette
2,487 m
210
Porcupine
0
0
Wasootch
Creek
Skogan
Loop
2.8
00
24
Mount
Allan
2,819 m
Twin
Creek
210
0
270
Centennial
Ridge
(Open June 22 to
November 30 to
protect wildlife habitat)
Sunburst
1.1
0.9
Nakiska
Ski Area
0
Mount
Lougheed
3,105 m
Wasootch
Creek
1.0
Gold
Creek
Ruthie’s
4.8
Nakiska
Ski Area
Day Lodge
Centennial
Ridge
00
21
Coal
Mine
0.4
Skogan
Pass
1.2
Sundance
Lodges
Beaver
Ponds
Stoney
P
(Ribbon
Creek)
Hostel
North
Ribbon
Creek
0
210
Kovach
Pond
4.9
Ribbon
Creek
1800
00
Cairn
21
Memorial
Bogart Lakes
Tower Memorial
Ribbon
Creek
2.2
Bill
Milne
Paved
Trail
Kananaskis
Village
Ribbon
Peak
2,880 m
Marmot
Basin
0.9
240
0
Gold
Creek
Emergency
Services
Centre
Boundary
Ranch
Nakiska
Ski Area
Day Lodge
210
0
3.2
2100
0
270
Mount
Kidd
2,958 m
Mount
Kidd
Ribbon
Lake
Mount Kidd
1.2
Terrace
Link
0.6
Aspen
0.7
0.3
0.7
0.3
Emergency
Services
Centre
Kovach
Pond
2.0
Kovach
0.9
Kananaskis
Wilderness
(Ribbon Creek)
Hostel
P
0.3
Terrace
1.2
1.2
Kananaskis
Village
Bill
Milne
1.1
0.7
2.4
Boundary
Ranch
1.3
210
0
0
40
0
Galatea Creek
(Seasonal Closure)
1800
Evan-Thomas
Creek
180
0
EvanThomas
(Fireroad)
12.3 to Pass
0.2
Galatea
Creek
0
5.2
Wedge
Pond
240
0.9
240
Wedge
Pond
1.0
2100
Lillian
Lake
Wedge
Connector
0.6
0.7
240
Lillian
Lake
(Seasonal
Closure)
EvanThomas
0.3
0.2
Kananaskis
River
1800
2700
Guinn’s
Pass
3.0
1.7
1.2
Ribbon
Falls
(Seasonal
Closure)
Link
Kovach 1.1
Beaver
Ponds
Hay
Meadows
1.8
Stoney
0.2
Ribbon 2.5
Creek
0.8
0.3
0.6
0.4
Ribbon
Creek
1800
EvanThomas
1.6
2.0
2100
Ribbon
Creek
Kananaskis
Country
Golf Course
Ribbon
Creek
00
18
Chains up
Rock Face
0
Boundary
Ranch
Trails
Terrace
9.5
Hidden
0.9
0.8
Reclaimed
Mine
Kananaskis
River
Ruthie’s
0.4
Troll
Skogan Falls
Pass 0.8
0.8 Stoney
1.5
0.5
Coal
Mine
1.2
180
Sundance
Lodges
Troll
Falls 0.3
1.2
Centennial
Ridge
4.0
2700
Stoney
Skogan
Pass
1.6
Nakiska
Ski Area
Flat
Creek
Mount
Bogart
3,144 m
Sunburst
1.1
2.1
0.2
Reclaimed
Mine
180
0
2100
0.5
1800
0.4
0.6
0.8
00
Marmot
Creek
Stoney
1.7
Hidden
0.9
18
High
Level
2.4
Troll
Falls
1.2
Magnification
Mt. Lorette Ponds
Stoney
Skogan
Pass
1.6
1800
00
0
2.5
Marmot
Creek
3.6
0.5
High
Level
2.4
180
Marmot
Basin
Baldy Pass
See magnification for
details of this area
Skogan
Pass
15
00
Mount
Collembola
2,758 m
00
40
0
210
24
18
Lorette
Creek
Wind
Creek
1.5
3.3
0.7
150
No Name
Ridge
Ribbon
Lake
(Seasonal
Closure)
Baldy
Pass
Baldy Pass
P
210
East
Wind
Pond
Stoney
Creek
U. of C.
Field
15
Station
00
00
0
South
Wind
Creek
Barrier
Lake
1800
Skogan
Pass
(National Hiking Trail)
Lusk
Creek
68
Dam
1.0
0
138
1.2
Jewel
Creek
Tim Hortons
Children’s
Ranch
Barrier
Lake
Forestry
2.3
Barrier Dam
0.3
1.7
Jewell
Pass
2.5
Heart
Creek
McGillivray
Creek
Pigeon
Mountain
2,394 m
Barrier Lake
Information
Centre
Widowmaker
1800
21
21
Banff Gate
Mountain Resort
3.2
0.7
2.0
Prairie
View
2.7
Heart
Mountain
2,076 m
00
00
Heart
Creek
Lac des Arcs
Trans
6.9 Canada
Trail
0
Widowmaker
2.0
Barrier
Fire Lookout
2.5
1.3
15
15
Dead
Man’s
Flats
Quaite
Creek 150
2.8 Heart
Mountain
Stoney
YMCA
Camp Chief
Hector
Rocky Mtn.
YMCA
Yamnuska
Centre
McConnell
Ridge
Quaite
Valley
1.6
Quaite
Valley
1
Waterfall
Viewing
Elk Flats
2.1
8.4
Canoe Meadows
Many
Springs
00
Gap Lake
Rafter
Six Ranch
Resort
Owl and Grouse
Chilver
Lake
Middle
Lake
Many
Springs
Kananaskis
River
Willow
Rock
Bow
Valley
Bike
Path
Middle
Lake
2.5
Bow Valley
Information
Centre
2.2
4.4
15
1800
2.0
Montane
Bow
River
Kid Goat
Buttress
00
Jura
Creek
White
Fish
15
Door
Jamb
Mountain
1,996 m
40
Flowing
Water
20
13
00
15
2100
1
Bow
Seebe
River Kananaskis
Falls
(formerly)
Bow Valley
18
00
Limestone
Mountain
Galatea
2100
210
2100
0
1800
24
00
Eau
Claire
0
Rocky
Creek
Opal
Fortress Lake
Legend
Hiking Trail Only
RV/Tent Camping
Horse Riding,
Biking & Hiking Trail
Tent Camping
Biking & Hiking Trail
Day Use Area
Trans Canada Trail
Hiking Trail Only
Facility Building
Hiking Trail
Not Maintained
Interpretive
Amphitheatre
National Hiking Trail
Horse Riding,
Biking & Hiking Trail
Visitor Information
Centre
Paved Bike Trail
Fishing
2.1
Distances Between
Trails Junctions
1
Trans Canada Highway
Horse Riding
Interpretive Trail
Fire Lookout
1A
68
1X
40
t
1 km
Contour Interval: 60 m
leave no trace...
To enhance your enjoyment of the scenery and
to ensure it’s just as beautiful the next time you visit,
please minimize your impact and leave no trace by
following park regulations and policies:
 Stay on trails;
do not take shortcuts on switchbacks.
 Keep pets on a leash at all times.
 Do not pick flowers or
remove natural objects.
 Pack out what you pack in, as well as
any additional litter you may find.
 Wash and relieve yourself at
least 60 metres from a water source when
facilities are not available.
 Do not feed any wild animals.
 Open fires are not permitted in
Provincial Parks.
 Use constructed firepits or cook on
your portable stove when
these facilities are not provided.
 Scavenging for firewood is prohibited.
 Random camping is not allowed.
Highways #1A, #1X, #68
Highway #40
Boat Launch
Facility
Access Road
Canoeing
Gate
Creek
Emergency Centre
Always
go prepared
Take along a basic survival kit: flashlight, map,
first-aid kit, extra food, clothing, whistle, and
raingear.
Remember, the weather can change at
a moment’s notice.
River
Sport Climbing
P
Scale: 1 : 77 000
Please minimize your impact and
Group Camping
Viewpoint
N
210
Eau
Claire
1.5
Fortress
Ridge
The
Wedge
2,665 m
Lake
Parking Lot
Dam
Golf Course
Falls
Seasonally Closed
Area to Protect
Wildlife Habitat
Railway Track
2400
Contour Line
Elevation in metres
Backcountry Permits
Backcountry permits are required to camp at any of
the backcountry campgrounds in Kananaskis Country.
Permit information is available at
any Kananaskis Country Information Centre,
the backcountry reservation line 403-678-3136, or
the Kananaskis Country website
http://tpr.alberta.ca/parks/kananaskis/backcountry_camp.asp