Hikes in Kananaskis – Smith Dorrien
Activities in Kananaskis – Smith Dorrien
The best hiking in the Kananaskis is along the Smith-Dorrien, the legendary gravel road that runs up the Spray Valley. Not only are these the best hikes in the Kananaskis, the trails around here are some of the best hikes in the Canadian Rockies. The best part is that the high-elevation Smith-Dorrien means shorter ascents and more time spent above treeline.
Kananaskis Country, or K – Country, is an undiscovered gem for outdoor lovers, and has fewer crowds than the adjacent Banff National Park. Often overshadowed by nearby Banff National Park, the Kananaskis is still relatively undiscovered. Here we include some of the best hikes in the Spray Valley Provincial Park and Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. You’re going to love these great hikes in the Kananaskis!
Best Hikes on the Smith-Dorrien Trail
- Burstall Pass (15.0 km, 450 m, 4-6h): This stunning hike is one of the best in all the Kananaskis, if not all of Alberta. This hike ends at the pass with beautiful views. What makes it even better, however, is the route can be extended for experienced hikers to Snow Peak – an absolute wonder.
- Windtower (10.7 km, 1,005 m, 5-7h): A hike up Windtower is a stunning hike in Kananaskis. The route goes past West Wind Pass (another great hike) before a bit of route finding until you ascend to the top of Windtower. We love this hike!
- Buller Pass (15.5 km, 685 m, 5-7h): Buller Pass is another great intermediate hike with impressive views. If you’ve got the energy, it can also be extended over to Guinn’s Pass or Ribbon Lake, both worthy of the trek.
- Tent Ridge (10.4 km, 747 m, 4-6h): The Tent Ridge hike may have the best view in Kananaskis. This is a popular hike, and for good reason. The Tent Ridge hike is incredible. Be warned, there is a bit of scrambling on the way up.
- Headwall Lakes (14.9 km, 535 m, 5-7h): Sharing a trail-head with the popular Chester Lake, the hike to Headwall Lakes is a wonderful day out in Kananaskis. Take in stunning, high alpine lakes on this delightful walk.
- Rummel Pass (17.6 km, 570 m, 5-6.5h): The hike to Rummel Pass is spectacular, and not nearly as popular as it should be. While hiking to Rummel Lake is a Kananaskis classic, pushing to Rummel Pass is completely worth it, offering interesting terrain and stunning views from Rummel Pass.
- Black Prince Lakes and Cirque (13.9 km, 680 m, 4.5-6h): The hike to Black Prince Cirque and then Black Prince Lakes is stunning. This hike takes you to a classic Kananaskis cirque and then the beautiful Black Prince Lakes. It’s hard to believe so few people take the time to hike up to Black Prince Lakes and Black Prince Cirque.
- Old Goat Glacier (9.6 km, 705 m, 4-6h): The hike to the Old Goat Glacier is the highlight of this walk, with wonderful views all around. The glacier, unfortunately, has seen better days.
- Sparrowhawk Tarns (14.9 km, 720 m, 4.5-6): The pretty hike to the Sparrowhawk Tarns is a hard trail to follow, however once you reach the tarns, the beautiful views make up for the route-finding challenges. Don’t wait until autumn, as the tarns dry up and are not as impressive.
- West Wind Pass (5.0 km, 390 m, 2-3.5h): This unofficial trail to West Wind Pass is an underappreciated gem of a hike in Kananaskis. Great views down the Wind Valley and back to the Spray Valley make this a great intermediate hike.
What’s New in 2026
- The hiking season runs from July to late September once the high trails clear of snow. Late September is prime larch season, when Chester Lake, Rummel, Tent Ridge and Burstall Pass turn brilliant gold and draw crowds on fair-weather weekends.
- Every Smith-Dorrien trailhead needs a Kananaskis Conservation Pass, $15 per day or $90 per year per vehicle in 2026, registered to your licence plate. Buy it online before you leave town, as the Smith-Dorrien is a rough gravel road with little to no cell service.
- Most people hike the Smith-Dorrien independently as day trips, but guided tours are available, and overnight backcountry campsites in Kananaskis should be reserved ahead through Alberta Parks.
- This is prime grizzly and black bear country, and trails can close on short notice for wildlife activity, especially in late summer. Carry bear spray, make noise, and check for closures before you drive out.
Plan Your Smith-Dorrien Hike
The Smith-Dorrien is the wild heart of Kananaskis Country hikes, and the gravel road that reaches it starts just outside town, so it pairs naturally with hikes near Canmore. For the wider region, browse hiking in Alberta. Many trailheads here also open up multi-day trips, so see our guide to backpacking in Kananaskis. If you would rather travel with a group and have the logistics handled, browse guided hiking tours in the Canadian Rockies.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Smith-Dorrien Trail
When is the best time to hike the Smith-Dorrien Trail?
July to late September is the sweet spot, once the high trails are clear of snow. The undisputed highlight is late September, when the larches turn gold at Chester Lake, Rummel, Tent Ridge and Burstall Pass. Note that the Chester Lake trail closes each spring, roughly May to late June, to protect it from mud damage.
What are the best beginner-friendly hikes on the Smith-Dorrien?
Chester Lake, the Black Prince Interpretive Trail to Warspite Lake, and the short Blackshale Suspension Bridge loop are the gentlest options, with big mountain scenery for relatively little effort. West Wind Pass is a good next step up.
Are there bears on the Smith-Dorrien Trail?
Yes, this is prime grizzly and black bear country. Carry bear spray and know how to use it, make noise, hike in a group where you can, and check for wildlife closures before you set out, as they are common here in late summer.
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Route guides for Hiking in Kananaskis – Smith Dorrien
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Tent Ridge Horseshoe Route Guide
The Tent Ridge hike is spectacular. Tent Ridge is the location for many of the incredible photos you regularly see on social media, showing stunning peaks over the Spray Lakes. Tent Ridge is a wonderful hike, though there is a bit of a scramble on the way up Tent Ridge that some hikers don’t like, which is why we rate this as a 4/5 instead of a 3/5.
Burstall Pass Route Guide
The hike to Burstall Pass is an iconic Canmore route for good reason – it's stunning! Although a great trail for intermediates, those with energy can scramble up Snow Peak for one of the best views in the Rockies. And in autumn, the sights of the larches are incredible!
Chester Lake Hike Route Guide
The Chester Lake hike is a great family route in Canmore, complete with a stunning alpine meadow and glistening lake nestled among towering peaks. The walk is perfect for multiple seasons, whether you come to snowshoe or take a ski tour in winter, or to see the larches change color in autumn. The trail is closed from May to late-June each year to prevent trail damage.
West Wind Pass Route Guide
West Wind Pass is a great hike! It’s not too busy and is a perfect hike for people who want to get stunning views without a ton of elevation gain. We love the vista back to the Spray Lakes Reservoir as well as at the views from West Wind Pass itself.
Rummel Pass Route Guide
The hike to Rummel Pass is spectacular, and not nearly as popular as it should be. While hiking to Rummel Lake is a Kananaskis classic, pushing to Rummel Pass is completely worth it, offering interesting terrain and stunning views from Rummel Pass.
Buller Pass Route Guide
The hike to Buller Pass is one of the most spectacular in Canmore. It’s perfect for intermediate hikers, and despite the region still recovering from a forest fire, there are beautiful views and wildflowers throughout the trail. Once above treeline enjoy stunning views all the way to the pass!
Windtower Route Guide
A hike up Windtower is an underappreciated gem of the Canadian Rockies. First take in West Wind pass and then find the path up Windtower for spectacular views in all directions, especially back towards the Spray Lakes Reservoir. Windtower is one of our favourite hikes in the Kananaskis.
Headwall Lakes Route Guide
The Headwall Lakes hike is not as popular as it should be. This walk takes you up into the alpine to a barren and stunning limestone valley and the beautiful Headwall Lakes. Many people hike through this valley on the way to the summit of The Fortress.
Sparrowhawk Tarns Route Guide
The pretty hike to the Sparrowhawk Tarns is a hard trail to follow, however once you reach the tarns, the beautiful views make up for the route-finding challenges. Don’t wait until autumn, as the tarns dry up and are not as stunning.
Old Goat Glacier Route Guide
The hike to Old Goat Glacier is a classic Kananaskis hike on the Smith-Dorrien. While not as popular as other trails, this is a fun hike that is great for intermediate hikers who don’t mind a few steep bits. There are great views of the Old Goat Glacier as well as back towards the Spray Lakes Reservoir.
Black Prince Lakes and Cirque Route Guide
The hike to Black Prince Cirque and then Black Prince Lakes is stunning. This hike takes you to a classic Kananaskis cirque and then the beautiful Black Prince Lakes. It’s hard to believe so few people take the time to hike up to Black Prince Lakes and Black Prince Cirque.
Black Prince Interpretive Trail / Warspite Lake Route Guide
The hike on the Black Prince Interpretive Trail is a great family-friendly hike on the Smith-Dorrien. The trip takes you to Warspite Lake on a good path and there are great views once at Warspite Lake.
Rummel Lake Hike Route Guide
The hike to Rummel Lake is a Kananaskis classic, with people returning year after year. The colours in autumn are spectacular, and if you have the energy push the trip a bit farther up to Rummel Pass for very special views.
Blackshale Suspension Bridge Route Guide
The Blackshale Suspension Bridge Route is an easy, family-friendly trail with fantastic wildflowers, mountain views, and an impressive suspension bridge to cross. Some people make a longer trip of this by accessing it from Black Prince Trail, but this short loop is for those who just want to enjoy the bridge.
Little Lawson Hike Route Guide
The Little Lawson Peak route (also known as South Lawson) is a straightforward trail that takes users to an incredible viewpoint. The trail travels straight up the ridge from the highway, making it very easy to follow. It is a great option in the early and late season as it isn’t dangerous and it rarely has snow along the ridge during hiking season.
Tryst Lake Trail Route Guide
The trail to Tryst Lake is used year-round by many different types of adventurers. The summer trail is easy to follow and very straightforward. The elevation comes gradually and the lake is a great objective for beginner-intermediate hikers.
Heart Creek Trail Route Guide
The trail up Heart Creek is a popular access point for rock climbers; however, the canyon is wide open and the trail follows the creek upstream before coming to a turnaround point. There are some small foot bridges and lots of opportunities to explore the area on this trail.
Frozen Lake Trail Route Guide
The trail to Frozen Lake follows the Elk Pass and Elk Lake trail for the first 2.6mi. The wide, decommissioned road is easy to follow and passes by some power lines on the way. This is a destination hike, so don’t expect to be wowed along the way, you’ll have to wait until you reach your objective after gaining elevation steadily from Elk Pass.
Short Upper Kananaskis Lake Hike Route Guide
The Upper Kananaskis Lake hike is a beautiful way to explore the lake without feeling crowded at the day use area. Hiking along the shore gives new perspectives to the surrounding mountains and has plenty of options to extend your hike.
Three Isle Lake Route Guide
The trail to Three Isle Lake leaves from the ever-popular Kananaskis Lakes area. There are many frontcountry and backcountry camp options as well as day-use areas and all types of hiking trails. Three Isle Lake is a stunning trip that is most commonly used by overnighters. There are easier trails in the area, so you won’t need to worry about there being too much traffic along the trail; however, it can get busy in summer months.
Karst Spring Trail Route Guide
Karst Springs trail is a beautiful hike that goes past Watridge Lake to a natural piped spring, where you can enjoy fresh mountain water. This is a great trail for beginners and those who are looking for a relaxing trip while exploring Kananaskis.
Watridge Lake Route Guide
Hiking to Watridge Lake is a great way to spend a few hours in Kananaskis. The wide, well-maintained trail to the lake is accessible to all abilities and makes for a quiet stroll through the woods. The trail is easy to follow and leads directly to the lake, which is the turnaround point.
Lower Kananaskis Lake Trail Route Guide
The Lower Kananaskis Lake trail follows the lakeshore between William Watson Lodge and Canyon Creek campground. The trail has educational interpretive signs along the way and maintains a gentle grade that allows hikers to admire the surrounding peaks.
Hidden Lake Trail Route Guide
There’s an element of uncontained excitement when making your way to a destination with the name Hidden Lake. Just hearing the name evokes a sense of adventure, and you won’t be disappointed when choosing this route. It is a stunning trail that leaves from spectacular Upper Kananaskis Lake and ends at the almost fake-looking Hidden Lake.
Marl Lake Trail Route Guide
The Marl Lake trail is a moderately trafficked trail near Lower Kananaskis Lake that is accessible for all abilities. It has almost no elevation gain and follows a well-maintained path through the woods to the lake before turning back.
Pig’s Back Trail Route Guide
The Pig’s Back is a route to a prominent feature along the Commonwealth Ridge Traverse. You will hike up Commonwealth Creek before reaching Commonwealth Lake and finally the Pig’s Back. There is some route-finding required, so make sure you are familiar with your objective before setting out for the day.
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