Kananaskis Lakes Things to Do Tips by madamx

The most most popular destination in Kananaskis is probably the Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes. The Upper Lake, the most scenic of the two, has a 16 km hiking trail that encompasses it. The grade is quite gentle, suitable for people of all ages. Go as far as you like and turn back. However, if you are ambitious, the trail takes you through a variety of scenery, from almost west coast rain forest-like to a large waterfall, to an almost "moon scape" area where there was an avalanche.

There are many firepits and picnic tables beside the lake, grouped at one end . If you are heading out on a summer weekend, I would make sure that you stake your table by around 10:30 am or 11:00, as this area can be get very busy. Quite a few hiking trails start at the Upper Lake. If you get one chance to hike in Kananaskis, hike Mt. Indefatigable where you get a gorgeous bird's eye view of the lakes and Kananaskis. This is a moderate to strenuous hike.

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Directions: Highway 40 west until the Kananaskis Lakes Trail. Follow the signs until you get to the parking lots. If you are going to picnic, take a right to that parking lot, as it will be more convenient for you.

Longview is not in Kananaskis, but near it's southern border. The scenery here is spectacular -- undulating hills melting into the mountains-- and just as beautiful as the Rockies themselves.

This is ranching country, and many of the ranches here have been in the same families for over a hundred years. The Village of Longview has played host to many film crews; the most recent being Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain with Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhal. Longview is located on Highway 22, otherwise known as "The Cowboy Trail". This was a historic route used by ranchers to drive cattle down to Montana.

There is not much to see in the village itself, except stop by the Memories Restaurant, or stock up on groceries if camping in Kananaskis. Instead, take time to drive south down Highway 22 and take in the breathtaking scenery.

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Directions: From the Calgary's southern limits, head south on Highway 22 for approx 58 km
Website: www.village.longview.ab.ca

The Highwood Pass is the highest navigable pass in Canada, at an ear-popping 2206 metres. There is a rest stop and a small interpretive trail via boardwalk explaining the ecology of the alpine meadow.

Do stay on the boardwalk or on the path, as the seemingly ordinary plants would take years to grow back if crushed or damaged because of the very short growing seasons. You can follow the path to a trail across Highway 40, called Ptarmigan Cirque (see below).

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Directions: About an hour from the Kananaskis turnoff on the Transcanada Highway. You will see a large parking lot and outdoor biffy. Well marked on Highway 40

There is a trail to Ptarmigan Cirque leading from the Highwood Pass Meadows boardwalk, and it will cross Highway 40. It is a short but fairly steep hike that will take you up past the treeline. This is a popular trail, and most people on it are passerbys stretching their legs and getting some beautiful views. This trail may be closed due to grizzly sightings.

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Directions: Follow trail from the Highwood Pass Day Use Area, off of Highway 40

If you haven't been to Kananaskis before, it is a good idea that you stop at an information centre. There is one located at Barrier Lake, about 8 km from the Kananaskis turnoff off the main highway.

The personnel there can answer your questions about hikes that would be good for your ability, trail closures, updates on park conditions, or any questions about the park that that you might have. There is also a small interpretive area at Barrier Lake. If you are staying at the Kananaskis Village (where the hotels are), there is an information centre by the hotels, with a small store and post office.

The main information/interpretive centre, is in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park on the Kananaskis Lakes Trail . On Highway 40, there will be marked "major intersection", after the "major intersection" to the village. By the turnoff, there will be a large open gate, which is used to close the highway off in the winter. Turn on the Kananaskis Lakes Trail, and follow the signs to the centre.

The picture is the Barrier Lake Centre and the phone no. is below. What is helpful is that you can call them ahead and find out about park conditions before you leave Calgary. Their hours are fairly long in the summer, but fairly limited in the winter.

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Phone: (403) 673-3985

If you have only time to do one hike in Kananaskis, and you are fairly fit, then you must hike the Indefatigable Trail. .

This trail starts from the Upper Lake and climbs up until you get a breathtaking view of both the Upper Kananaskis and Lower Kananaskis Lakes.

Wear hiking boots as near the top it gets fairly steep, with some loose rock. Not a hike for people afraid of heights.

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Directions: Follow the Kananaskis Lakes Trail until the end. Park in the North Interlakes parking lot, and follow the trail over the dam. For more info, stop at the Barrier Lake information centre as you head into Kananaskis.

This winding gravel road takes you up into some of the most gorgeous scenery in Kananaskis. It takes you by the Spray Lakes Reservoir, known for it's fishing, down to the town of Canmore.

This is a well-maintained gravel road, but the dust can be terrible on a summer day. During the winter it is plowed, but can still be quite treacherous descending into Canmore.

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Directions: Take Highway 40 until the Kananaskis Lakes Trail intersection. As you drive down the road, the turn off onto the Smith Dorrien is well-marked.

Nihahi means rocky or "steep cliff mountain" in Stoney Indian. The trail takes you up a rocky ridge to a beautiful view of the Little Elbow River Valley.

This hike gives you the most bang for your buck. It is relatively easy and scenic (not recommended for young children) and in a fairly short amount of time, you get premium views. You will need a fair level of fitness, as the hike is 9.5 km round trip with some steep sections. You can do it in runners, though I wouldn't recommend it as the trial is quite rocky with some tricky maneuvering in some spots.

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Directions: Follow Highway 66 from Bragg Creek until you get to the Little Elbow Recreation Area. Take your second left and park in the large parking lot. The trail starts in the far left-hand corner, behind the outdoor biffy.

This area was used in WW II as a prisoner of war camp. However, this was no ordinary camp. There were exercise classes hosted by the YMCA, prisoners painted the nearby scenery, there was a movie theatre and soccer field.

The former camp commander's cabin (referred to as The Colonel's Cabin) serves as a museum and visitor centre. Near the cabin, there is an informative self-guiding trail (2.7km) about forest management. The museum has an interesting collection of photographs and artifacts. While I was there, a former prisoner from Germany was visiting, and talked about his fond memories of the camp. One of the original 8 guard towers is still by the museum.

As a reward for good behavior, prisoners were allowed to climb nearby Mt. Baldy, but only if they signed a statement saying they would not try to escape. If they did, however, there really was nowhere to go. In the visitor centre, there was one account of someone who did escape, only to go back to Germany and fight in the front lines. He was subsequently killed.

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Directions: Going south on Highway 40, take your first left just after the exit to Barrier Lake , then soon after, that, another left. This will lead you to the parking lot.