Kananaskis Trails

• Built for Cananda's Centennial, by the Rocky Mountain Ramblers Association of Calgary in 1967, this is the highest maintained hiking trail in the Canadian Rockies, hiking straight up Mount Allan. From the North trailhead, there is a 10.5 Km hike to get to the summit.
• The South approach is a short 6.5 Km hike WITH A 1320 m ALTITUDE GAIN. The North approach is a 10.5 Km hike with a slower, more gradual climb.
• Most hikers trek to the summit by using the South approach and then return to the parking lot. You get to the summit a lot faster. However, on a hot day, you might want to trade time for shade.
• if you can arrange for pickup at the opposite trailhead, the entire 16.8 Km are well worth the effort!
• North approach : (Only 10 minutes from Canmore) Follow the Trans-Canada Highway and turn South at the Dead Man's Flats exit. Follow this small road all the way to Alpine Resort Haven, park there.
• From the gate at the end of the parking lot, follow the fire road and then turn left onto the Centennial Ridge Trail.
• After climbing 500 m over approximately 6 Km, the road becomes a narrow path along the slopes of Mount Collembola. You eventually come to a beautiful meadow between two mountains... the perfect spot for a break and picture time.
• From there, you climb again, up the lower ridge of Mount Allan. Watch for rock markers indicating the best path to follow.
• South approach: Follow Hwy 1 and turn south on Hwy 40 (Kananaskis Trail). Follow the signs for Kananaskis Village (it will be a right hand turn). Take your first left and then an immediate right (Ribbon Creek Day Use). The trailhead is on Hidden Trail, which is to the right of the entrance to the furthest parking lot.
• From the South trailhead, follow Hidden Trail (between the washrooms and the trail kiosk) until the first junction, turn left.
• Follow the signs and you will eventually cross an old mine site.
• After the mine a steep climb, along a narrow dirt trail will have you huffing and puffing.
• You continue through some rock bands to Olympic Summit.
• The nest part of your hike is a climb to the summit of Mount Allan. Take lots of pictures... you will definitely impress your friends with them later!
• Watch for markers on large rocks to help you stay on course.
• At the summit, the views are spectacular. On a clear day, you can see all the way from Mount Temple in Lake Louise to the Calgary skyscrapers.
• This trail has annual closures between May 1 and June 15.

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• Like its neighbour, the Skogan Trail also has 2 trailheads, a North and a South one. They just so happen to be the exact same ones as the Centennial Ridge Trail (described above).
• The North trailhead is the most popular amongst hikers and mountain bikers. There is a considerable elevation gain but the grades are never extreme. Plus, the descent is exhalirating!
• From the North trailhead you will hit the Centennial Ridge junction right away. Go left for the Skogan Pass Trail. Stay left at the second junction.
• At 1.6 Km, stay left as you hit another junction.
• At 4.6 Km, stay left once again as the trail forks once again. You will now hit a series of switchbacks.
• From here on, most junctions are signed and the trail is easy to follow. When you hit a sign indicating the entrance to the recreation area, stay left for the next 2 junctions.
• You will eventually pass a gate marking the ski area limits, stay straight on the gravel road and pass Ruthie's Trail.
• Follow the Skogan Pass signs all the way to the Ribbon Creek parking lot.
• Have a good hike back!

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