Canada
Canada - Hiking in the Kananaskis Highlands
Canada - Hiking in the Kananaskis Highlands
Duration
5 days
Start/End
Canmore
Tour type
Individual
Level
Demanding
Accommodation
Camping
Overview
Kananaskis Country south of Banff is a wild, little-visited hiking paradise. With backpack and tent you hike from Three Isle Lake over Northover Ridge and through Turbine Canyon back to the Kananaskis Lakes – stages of 7 to 14 km with up to 730 metres of ascent.
Kananaskis Country is a wild, little-traveled hiking paradise. Protected since 1977, it lies in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, just south of Banff National Park. Spanning over 4,000 square kilometers, it encompasses rolling hills, valleys, and majestic mountains. Named in 1858 by John Palliser after a Cree warrior named Koominakoos, the area, often simply called "K-Country" by locals, boasts rugged limestone peaks, clear mountain lakes, and abundant wildlife. The gray of the summits contrasts sharply with the blue of the lakes and the lush green of the coniferous forests that blanket the lower slopes. Wolves, grizzly bears, black bears, moose, deer, elk, and bighorn sheep roam here—a wild mountain world that invites you to take out your camera or simply pause and soak in the vastness. On a five-day tour over the South and North Kananaskis Pass and through the Height of the Rockies Provincial Park, you can expect diverse landscapes with sparkling lakes, glaciers and impressive canyons.
Tour Code
Tour language
EnglishItinerary
Day 1
Kananaskis Lakes – Three Isle Lake
10 km, +525 m
We'll meet in Canmore at 8:00 AM. There, we'll discuss the tour and check your equipment. Afterward, we'll drive for about an hour along the spectacular Smith-Dorrien Highway to the trailhead. The trail initially follows the shores of Upper Kananaskis Lake and then winds through forests along the Kananaskis River. At "The Forks," we'll turn off and climb the rocky escarpment to Three Isle Lake (2,175 m), where we'll set up camp for the night.
Kananaskis Lakes – Three Isle Lake
Day 1
10 km, +525 m
We'll meet in Canmore at 8:00 AM. There, we'll discuss the tour and check your equipment. Afterward, we'll drive for about an hour along the spectacular Smith-Dorrien Highway to the trailhead. The trail initially follows the shores of Upper Kananaskis Lake and then winds through forests along the Kananaskis River. At "The Forks," we'll turn off and climb the rocky escarpment to Three Isle Lake (2,175 m), where we'll set up camp for the night.
Day 2
Day hike to Northover Ridge
10 km, +600 m / –600 m
Today we stay close to the tree line, and with every meter of elevation gained, the views become more dramatic. Carrying only light daypacks, we climb to Northover Ridge (2800 m), where you'll be rewarded with fantastic panoramas of the Royal Group and far beyond. In the afternoon, we return to base camp at Three Isle Lake – perfect for fishing, sharing stories around camp, or simply relaxing.
Day hike to Northover Ridge
Day 2
10 km, +600 m / –600 m
Today we stay close to the tree line, and with every meter of elevation gained, the views become more dramatic. Carrying only light daypacks, we climb to Northover Ridge (2800 m), where you'll be rewarded with fantastic panoramas of the Royal Group and far beyond. In the afternoon, we return to base camp at Three Isle Lake – perfect for fishing, sharing stories around camp, or simply relaxing.
Day 3
Three Isle Lake – Turbine Canyon
14 km, +730 m / –650 m
After breakfast, we hike over the South Kananaskis Pass (2306 m) up to the Continental Divide, where we briefly cross into British Columbia. We hike past Beatty Lake and along sometimes rough trails to Leroy Creek, before a long climb through flowering meadows leads us to the North Kananaskis Pass (2368 m). Back in Alberta, we look down on Maude Lake before descending to our idyllic campsite in Turbine Canyon.
Three Isle Lake – Turbine Canyon
Day 3
14 km, +730 m / –650 m
After breakfast, we hike over the South Kananaskis Pass (2306 m) up to the Continental Divide, where we briefly cross into British Columbia. We hike past Beatty Lake and along sometimes rough trails to Leroy Creek, before a long climb through flowering meadows leads us to the North Kananaskis Pass (2368 m). Back in Alberta, we look down on Maude Lake before descending to our idyllic campsite in Turbine Canyon.
Day 4
Turbine Canyon – Forks Campground
8 km, -400 m
Turbine Canyon Camp (2200 m) is situated on a terrace above the confluence of the Maude Brook and the Upper Kananaskis River. It is named for the spectacular, narrow canyon directly below the camp. In the morning, there will be time to explore this impressive area. Afterward, we will hike across flowering meadows to Lawson Lake before descending to the Upper Kananaskis River and Forks Campground.
Turbine Canyon – Forks Campground
Day 4
8 km, -400 m
Turbine Canyon Camp (2200 m) is situated on a terrace above the confluence of the Maude Brook and the Upper Kananaskis River. It is named for the spectacular, narrow canyon directly below the camp. In the morning, there will be time to explore this impressive area. Afterward, we will hike across flowering meadows to Lawson Lake before descending to the Upper Kananaskis River and Forks Campground.
Day 5
Forks Campground – Kananaskis Lakes
7 km, -100 m
After breakfast, we pack up and begin our journey back to civilization. From Forks Campground, we follow the Upper Kananaskis River valley back to Upper Kananaskis Lake, which we reach in the early afternoon. We then drive back to Canmore.
Forks Campground – Kananaskis Lakes
Day 5
7 km, -100 m
After breakfast, we pack up and begin our journey back to civilization. From Forks Campground, we follow the Upper Kananaskis River valley back to Upper Kananaskis Lake, which we reach in the early afternoon. We then drive back to Canmore.
Price from
€1,330.00
Services
What's included
Overnight stay in double tents
Meals during the tour
English-speaking guide
Local Transfers
Provincial Park fees
Shared camping equipment
3 - 8 participants
What's not included
Individual travel to and from the destination (we are happy to put together a suitable offer)
Travel insurance (we are happy to put together an individual offer)
Personal equipment
Visa and vaccinations, if required
Tips
Character of the trip
Fitness
Demanding
Altitude
Gentle
Culture / nature
Pure nature
This five-day trekking tour in the Kananaskis mountains requires good physical condition and stamina. The stages range from 7 to 14 km with up to 730 meters of elevation gain and loss. The trails lead through forest paths, alpine meadows, and occasionally rocky terrain. With a daily walking time of 5–7 hours, a solid level of fitness is necessary to carry your own luggage for several days.
A varied, sporty trekking tour for experienced hikers who enjoy exercise, nature and alpine wilderness.
Dates and prices
Individual dates
2 participants · €1,330.00 per person
Notes on the trip
Accommodation and meals
On the tour, you'll stay in modern, lightweight, weatherproof 2- or 3-person tents. Accommodation in Canmore is not included. All meals and snacks are provided on the tour: from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 5. On the last evening, the groups usually go out for dinner together in Canmore (at your own expense).
Guides and group size
The mountain guides are certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and have extensive experience in the Canadian Rockies. They are trained in advanced wilderness first aid and accredited in nature and cultural education. The guides carry emergency equipment: a first-aid kit, bear spray, and a two-way radio.
Getting to Canmore & Transport
Canmore is located approximately 100 km west of Calgary on the Trans-Canada Highway. Calgary International Airport has excellent connections to cities in North America and Europe. All transportation in Canmore is included during the tour. Regular shuttles run between Calgary Airport and Canmore. The best option is the Banff Airporter.