Mount Haig

Difficulty
This reflects the 10Adventures difficulty rating for each route. We aim to keep ratings consistent across regions.
Hard
Duration
This reflects the estimated time the majority of users will take on this trail. If you are slower, add time to the top-end figure. If you are fast, then you may complete this route faster than this time range.
6-9h
Distance
This reflects the return distance of this route as measured by the GPS file.
11.6 km
Elevation
This reflects the total elevation gained throughout this route as measured by the GPS file. This includes all ascents and descents, and is higher than what is quoted in most route guides, which simply measure the distance between the starting-point and high-point of the route.
1,205 m
User Ratings
These ratings are completed by users who have completed this trail and not subject to reviews by 10Adventures.
Overall Rating
This is the average user-submitted overall rating on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest.
9.9
Physical Difficulty
This is the average user-submitted rating on the physical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
Advanced (Diamond)
Suitable for advanced experience level looking for a solid adventure.
Technical Difficulty
This is the average user-submitted rating on the technical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
Intermediate (Square)
Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
Read Reviews
Directions to Trailhead
Mount Haig Lake Trail, Castle, Alberta, Canada

Mount Haig is the highest peak in Castle Provincial Park, and you can’t go wrong scrambling to the top of the highest peak in any park let alone Castle Provincial Park! Add on a scenic and swimmable lake at its base, abundant huckleberries and salmonberries along the approach, and you’ve got an excellent outing on Mount Haig.

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Route Description for Mount Haig

The scramble to Mount Haig is glorious, though don’t be surprised if you have the entire mountain to yourself, as the crowds don’t realize how great the Castle area is.

This is a challenging route, with some exposed scrambling and route finding. This is not a beginner route.

From the trailhead the initial ascent is quite steep, but after a few hundred meters turns to a gentle but steady climb towards Haig Lake. As you near Haig Lake, turn off the trail and angle towards the Haig-Gravenstafel col. This is quite steep terrain so be prepared for side-hilling

Near the col, above a set of crumbling cliff bands, there is a faint and intermittent trail that will take you to the col, although in many places some side-hilling is still required.

The cliff-bands will require careful (mostly simple) route-finding, and with the assistance of a few bits of trail, they are a scramble at the upper end of easy or lower end of moderate. The terrain is steep enough in spots that it feels quite exposed, which can be mentally daunting if you are not comfortable scrambling.

At the top of the cliff bands is a wonderful grassy plateau that gradually transitions to rock and scree as it steepens en-route to the summit of Mount Haig. The scree here can be quite loose, but there is a faint sheep trail to the summit that can be helpful.

The view from the summit is wonderful, although on windy days you won’t want to linger too long. Pick your way back down the col to the trail.

Insider Hints for Mount Haig

  • A dip in the lake is a great way to end a hot day!
  • The scramble to Mount Haig is a challenging scramble and not suitable for those who don’t like exposure.
  • The Castle area is notoriously windy, so be prepared for increased winds once you’re in the alpine.
  • If you need a snack, the only nearby options are the T-Bar Pub at Castle Mountain Resort (open Friday to Sunday in summer) and the Beaver Mines General Store in Beaver Mines before heading home for the day.

Getting to the Mount Haig Trailhead

From Calgary head to Castle Mountain Resort and head towards the southwest corner. You will find the trailhead sign for the north route to Haig Lake at the base of the ski slope.

Route Information

  • When to do

    June - September

  • Backcountry Campsites

    None

  • Toilets

    Trailhead

  • Pets allowed

    Yes - On Leash

  • Scarmbling Rating

    Grade 2

  • Exposure

    Mild

  • Family friendly

    No

  • Route Signage

    None

  • Crowd Levels

    Moderate

  • Route Type

    Out and back

Mount Haig Elevation Graph

Weather Forecast

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Mount Haig Reviews

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