Hiking trails in Alberta

Scrambles in Alberta

Province in Canada

The Canadian Province of Alberta is an outdoor-lovers paradise. World famous destinations like Jasper, Lake Louise, Waterton and Banff draw the crowds, and for good reason – they’re beautiful. Big mountains, stunning emerald coloured lakes, abundant glaciers, forests, game and fresh air make Alberta one of the best places for your upcoming holiday.

With most of the accessible Rocky Mountains in Alberta protected by national and provincial parks, a holiday in Alberta is special. There are big mountains, stunning emerald coloured lakes, glaciers, forests and fresh air. Alberta has some of the best, untouched wilderness on earth, and the ideal way to explore this wonderful province is on foot, ski or bike.

In winter, there are downhill ski areas, most famous are the ski resorts Sunshine Village and Lake Louise. Winter is not just about downhill skiing, there is also abundant xc-ski trails and exhilarating backcountry skiing options. Winter is also low season, and a trip to Alberta in winter means great hotel rates.

Summer sees Alberta’s national parks fill up with eager outdoor explorers. Luckily there is just so much nature that you only notice the crowds in a few places, the rest of the Canadian Rockies stay peaceful and tranquil. While hiking is the most popular summer activity, you can also climb, bike, canoe and kayak.

After a hard day outdoors, one of the best parts of Alberta are the great mountain towns. Full of everything from campsites to 5-star hotels, these towns allow you to enjoy some civilization, which means great coffee, good food and fun bars!

Download the 10Adventures App

View Scrambles in Alberta on Map

View Map

Scrambling regions in Alberta

Best Scrambles in Alberta

Open details for Victoria Peak

Victoria Peak

Hard
17.6 km
1,021 m
6-8h

Victoria Peak is the highest peak in the Castle area, scrambling up Victoria Peak provides spectacular views of where the colorful mountains of the Castle meet the prairies.

User Ratings
Overall Rating
9.8
Technical Difficulty
Easy (Circle)
Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
Physical Difficulty
Intermediate (Square)
Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
Open details for Pyramid Mountain Scramble

Pyramid Mountain Scramble

Very Hard
28.2 km
1,555 m
10-12h

The famous Pyramid Mountain is one of Jasper’s premier landmarks. It casts unforgettable reflections on nearby Pyramid and Patricia lakes as it stands tall above. This scramble route requires a full day’s effort and will leave your legs screaming by the time you finish up the lengthy distance and elevation gains required to reach the summit.

User Ratings
Overall Rating
9.0
Technical Difficulty
Intermediate (Square)
Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
Physical Difficulty
Advanced (Diamond)
Suitable for advanced experience level looking for a solid adventure.
Open details for Loaf Mountain and Spionkop Ridge

Loaf Mountain and Spionkop Ridge

Hard
20.8 km
1,314 m
7-12h

Loaf Mountain is the second highest peak in the Castle area and is bordered by spectacularly colorful valleys. An extension to the summit of Spionkop Ridge provides a spectacular view into Waterton Lakes National Park.

User Ratings
Overall Rating
9.8
Technical Difficulty
Intermediate (Square)
Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
Physical Difficulty
Advanced (Diamond)
Suitable for advanced experience level looking for a solid adventure.
Open details for Windy Point Ridge, The Buckle, and Talus Peak

Windy Point Ridge, The Buckle, and Talus Peak

Hard
10.1 km
1,330 m
6 - 9h

This beautiful scramble to Windy Ridge with an extension to Talus Peak and the Buckle can be called a gem found off the beaten track. It’s not very popular and we don’t really know why. The views are breathtaking (Abraham Lake especially), making the Windy Point Ridge, the Buckle and Talus Peak Scramble our favourite along the David Thompson Highway!

User Ratings
No Reviews
Open details for Drywood Mountain Traverse

Drywood Mountain Traverse

Hard
24.2 km
1,359 m
7-12h

The Drywood Mountain Traverse is a long and easy traverse of a high ridge in the colorful Castle Wildland. The traverse is followed by a descent to a brilliantly-blue lake for a swim and possible camping, making this a spectacular summer outing!

User Ratings
Overall Rating
9.9
Technical Difficulty
Intermediate (Square)
Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
Physical Difficulty
Advanced (Diamond)
Suitable for advanced experience level looking for a solid adventure.
Open details for Southfork Mountain and Barnaby Ridge

Southfork Mountain and Barnaby Ridge

Hard
18.0 km
1,395 m
7-12h

This scramble to Southfork Mountain and Barnaby Ridge has it all, a backcountry campsite on beautiful Southfork Lakes, a long ridge top traverse, and spectacular scenery throughout!

User Ratings
Overall Rating
10.0
Technical Difficulty
Intermediate (Square)
Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
Physical Difficulty
Advanced (Diamond)
Suitable for advanced experience level looking for a solid adventure.
Open details for Mount Ernest Ross

Mount Ernest Ross

Hard
8.2 km
1,069 m
5 - 8h

The trail to the top of Ernest Ross Mount is a little challenging, but a fun scramble. You will find yourself on a quiet path with constantly changing surroundings: from bushes, trees, scree to almost vertical rock boulders. Although most of the trail is not too hard, one section will make you sweat a little: the scrambly part is a little steep and you will have to use some of your rock-climbing skills. But it’s worth all the effort, as the views from the top will take your breath away. From the surrounding peaks, to Kootenay Plains, and Abraham Lake – the panorama here is stunning!

User Ratings
No Reviews
Open details for Table Mountain

Table Mountain

Moderate
9.4 km
764 m
4-7h

Table Mountain is a colorful ascent alongside a creek, with spectacular photo opportunities above the sheer north face, and great summit views of where the mountains meet the prairies. In other words, a perfect day out in the Castle!

User Ratings
Overall Rating
10.0
Technical Difficulty
Easy (Circle)
Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
Physical Difficulty
Intermediate (Square)
Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
Open details for Turtle Mountain

Turtle Mountain

Very Hard
7.5 km
922 m
4.5-7h

The rockslide off Turtle Mountain over a century ago fractured the mountain on a scale that is difficult to imagine, yet this scramble takes you across the fractured summit ridge where the sheer scale of the forces at play are apparent. A stop at the Frank Slide Interpretive Center afterwards to complete the history lesson makes this a fascinating and different kind of scramble.

User Ratings
Overall Rating
10.0
Technical Difficulty
Easy (Circle)
Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
Physical Difficulty
Intermediate (Square)
Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
Open details for Two O-Clock Ridge

Two O-Clock Ridge

Hard
11.3 km
1,176 m
5-8h

The Two O-Clock Ridge Trail is a wonderful scramble near David Thompson Highway. After a short, but steep scramble you will find yourself surrounded by the Tuff Puff Ridge, Mt Ernest Ross and Two O-Clock Peak.

User Ratings
No Reviews

Change happens, fees shouldn't

Suggested Tours

Open details for Summit Mount Olympus Trekking Tour

Summit Mount Olympus Trekking Tour

Greece
Trekking
Self-Guided
4 days
From $195
Months Tour Operates
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

This tour is your chance to trek one of the most mystical mountains on earth: Mount Olympus. This self-guided journey starts in Litochoro, an enchanting town at the foot of Greece’s highest peak. Then you’ll spend two days on the mountain, sleeping in a mountain hut on the second night. You should be comfortable hiking up some serious elevation on this tour to reach the summit, a worthy reward for your effort.

View More
Open details for Jericho to Jerusalem through Wadi Qelt Tour

Jericho to Jerusalem through Wadi Qelt Tour

Israel
Trekking
Self-Guided
2 days
From $190
Months Tour Operates
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

The incredible Jericho to Jerusalem through Wadi Qelt Hiking journey from Jericho to Jerusalem is the perfect introduction to the natural beauty of the West Bank region that spans Palestine and Israel. Journeying on foot, you’ll experience these iconic areas in a truly unique and spectacular way.

View More
Open details for Avalanche Skills Training 1 in the Canadian Rockies

Avalanche Skills Training 1 in the Canadian Rockies

2 days
From $225
Months Tour Operates
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Avalanche safety is a must-have tenet of backcountry adventure and a critical step in keeping yourself and your adventure partners safe in the wintertime and shoulder season. The Avalanche Skills Training 1 in the Canadian Rockies tour is a practical chance to learn the basics of avalanche safety in one of the most beautiful mountain environments in the world.

View More
Open details for Self-Guided Mount Triglav Trek

Self-Guided Mount Triglav Trek

Slovenia
Walking
Self-Guided
3 days
From $250
Months Tour Operates
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Take on a quintessential Slovenian trekking adventure to the summit of its highest mountain! The Self-Guided Mount Triglav Trek allows you to hike at your own pace and enjoy the incredible scenery of Triglav National Park.

View More

Other Activities in Alberta

Trip Planners

Essential Tools for Any Adventure

Find a hotel in some of the most beautiful locations on earth.

Book your own car to have complete freedom on your next adventure.

Gear-up for your next adventure.

This page may include affiliate links. We may get a small commission for the purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.
We only recommend tools we personally think are great.

Change happens, fees shouldn't

Recent Stories

Open details for Banff in Winter: Plan your Perfect Weekend

Banff in Winter: Plan your Perfect Weekend

By Lynn W
February 19th, 2023
Open details for Winter Weekend in Lake Louise

Winter Weekend in Lake Louise

By Lynn W
February 17th, 2023
Open details for Jasper National Park in Winter: A Perfect Weekend

Jasper National Park in Winter: A Perfect Weekend

By Lynn W
February 12th, 2023
Open details for Planning A Trip To Kananaskis Country

Planning A Trip To Kananaskis Country

By Lukas Saville
March 27th, 2022
Detailed Route Guides
Real GPS Coordinates
Reliable Trail Reports
Experienced-Based Travel Tips
GPS App
Extensive Travel Guides

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get a weekly dose of discounts and inspiration for adventure lovers

Tours

Routes

Blogs