Hikes in Sibbald Creek Trail

Tucked in the foothills of Kananaskis, the Sibbald Creek Trail area boasts phenomenal views of snow-capped peaks stretching deep into the horizon. For example, at the top of Cox Hill, 12 different peaks take over your line of vision. And guess what? You won't have to worry about bumping into a ton of other people on the trail as most flock to the routes peppered along Highway 40 over this highly underrated area.

The best hikes in Sibbald Creek Trail offer various vistas, tailor-made for all types of hikers. Expect rolling hills of greenery contrasted with snow-dusted peaks to envelop you on most hikes in this area—even if the trails are more on the chill, low-elevation, short side of things. If you're from Calgary or Cochrane, you'll want to take advantage of the hidden network of routes scattered across Sibbald Creek Trail due to its nearby proximity. Who knew you could save gas money and hit up the mountains at the same time. Bonus!

Hiking in Sibbald Creek Trail is a fun outing for anyone who wants to get outside but doesn't feel like driving to Banff or Canmore for an epic day of revelling in the fresh air and unreal quintessential Canadian scenery.

What’s New in 2026

• Buy your Kananaskis Conservation Pass before you leave home. It has been mandatory since June 2021 for any vehicle parked in Kananaskis Country, including every trailhead on this road, and it costs $15 a day or $90 a year. It registers to your licence plate and covers the vehicle rather than the people in it, so six of you in one car is still $15. The annual pass covers up to three vehicles from one household plus a trailer, and pays for itself in about six visits.
• There is no signal out here, and no gate to remind you. Alberta lists Highway 68, the Sibbald corridor, among the places where cell service is not typically available, and passes are sold online. There is also no booth on the way in, which is exactly why so many people arrive without one and come back to a ticket. Sort it before you turn off Highway 1, or pick one up in person at a Kananaskis visitor information centre or the Canmore Nordic Centre day lodge.
• A Banff pass does not work here, and neither does the Canada Strong Pass. Kananaskis Country is a collection of Alberta provincial parks, not a national park, so a Parks Canada pass covers you for nothing on this road. That matters more than usual in 2026: the Canada Strong Pass waives admission to Banff and Jasper from 19 June to 7 September, and none of it applies to Kananaskis.
• This is bear country and the trails are quiet, which cuts both ways. Black bears and grizzlies both range through the Sibbald foothills, and the low traffic that makes this area so pleasant also means fewer people ahead of you making noise. Carry spray where you can reach it, travel in a group where you can, and check Alberta Parks advisories before you go, since flood recovery work still affects some trails and day-use areas.

The Best Hikes on Sibbald Creek Trail

• Cox Hill Ridge hike: the big one here, a half-day climb to a ridge with a dozen peaks laid out in front of you. Save it for wildflower season. It is multi-use, so expect bikers and runners moving fast.
• Eagle Hill Trail: a gradual, easy-to-follow climb through the foothills to a ridge looking the other way, out over the prairies. No technical ground, and a natural day out from the Sibbald Lake campground.
• Buck Mountain Trail: Ole Buck Mountain is an achievable summit and the best short climb in the Sibbald Flats area, well within reach if you are camping or just passing the lake.
• Sibbald Flats Trail: a short interpretive loop around Sibbald Lake with signs along the way, starting from the recreation area. The one to do with small children or when you have an hour to spare.

When is the Best Time to Hike Sibbald Creek Trail?

These are foothills rather than high mountains, which is the whole appeal: the trails here open earlier and hold snow less than anything up Highway 40, so Sibbald is often walkable in late spring while the Kananaskis Lakes trails are still under snow. Cox Hill is at its best in late June and July when the wildflowers are out. Autumn is quiet and clear, and the aspen turn through September. Winter brings snow and the trails see ski and snowshoe traffic, though some Kananaskis roads close seasonally each year, so check the Alberta Parks road closure list before a winter drive out.

Plan Your Trip

Sibbald is one corner of hiking in Kananaskis Country, which also takes in Highway 40, the Elbow Valley and Peter Lougheed. It is part of our wider hiking in Alberta, hiking in Canada and hiking routes collections. If you would rather have the planning handled, browse our hiking tours or our guided tours in Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sibbald Creek Trail

Do you need a pass to hike Sibbald Creek Trail?

Yes. A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required for any vehicle parked in Kananaskis Country, and that includes every trailhead along Highway 68. It is $15 for a day or $90 for the year, tied to your licence plate rather than to you, so one pass covers everyone in the car. Buy it online before you drive out, because there is no gate to buy one at and cell service along the Sibbald corridor is unreliable. Passes are also sold in person at Kananaskis visitor information centres and the Canmore Nordic Centre day lodge. You do not need one if you are only driving through without stopping.

Does a Banff park pass cover Kananaskis?

No. Banff is a national park run by Parks Canada, and Kananaskis Country is a set of Alberta provincial parks, so the two passes are entirely separate and neither covers the other. The same goes for the Canada Strong Pass, which waives admission to Banff and Jasper from 19 June to 7 September 2026 but does nothing for Kananaskis. If you are doing both on one trip, you need both.

What is the best hike on Sibbald Creek Trail?

Cox Hill Ridge, without much argument. It is the longest and steepest day here and puts you on a ridge with a dozen peaks in view, and it is exceptional in wildflower season. Eagle Hill is the gentler alternative, climbing steadily to a ridge that looks out over the prairies instead. If you are with young children, the interpretive loop around Sibbald Lake takes under an hour.