Create an account

Start your adventure today.

    0

    Already a member? Login

    Scrambling/Canada/Alberta/Castle Provincial Park

    Syncline Mountain

    Difficulty
    This reflects the 10Adventures difficulty rating for each route. We aim to keep ratings consistent across regions.
    Easy
    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.
    5-8h
    Distance
    This reflects the return distance of this route as measured by the GPS file.
    5.8 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.
    995 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.
    Intermediate (Square)
    Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more 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.
    Easy (Circle)
    Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
    Read Reviews
    Directions to Trailhead
    Google Maps
    Apple Maps
    Panorama on Syncline Mountain on Mount Coulthard scramble in Castle Provincial Park, Alberta

    Syncline Mountain is a steep ascent through a larch forest that takes you to a summit with views that stretch down multiple mountain valleys, making Syncline Mountain an excellent outing! Try this in autumn when the changing larches are spectacular!

    Download the 10Adventures App

    View Syncline Mountain on Map

    View Map
    View Map

    Quick Navigation

    Join our newsletter

    Get a weekly dose of discounts and inspiration for adventure lovers

    Route Description for Syncline Mountain

    The drive to the Castle Wilderness area along Highway 774 is dominated by the large mountain that looms up from the rolling foothills - Syncline Mountain. While the mountain has three separate summits, the official one (oddly, the lowest of the three) is the most impressive one as viewed from Highway 774 and is also an easy scramble (tagging the other two summits requires some serious scrambling). It is a great day out in the Rockies.

    While the ascent is exceptionally steep at just under 1,000 m in just over 3.0 km - the real crux of the journey is the bushwhacking and the heat. Bring a map and/or GPS and be sure to start early in the day.

    As you begin, you will immediately notice that there is a lot of brush, which can make for very slow going. You are bushwhacking here for about 200 m.

    As you come upon a drainage, continue ahead until you are out of the trees and then go right to gain the ridge. As you ascend, the foliage thins, however, bushes and deadfall plague the first half of the ascent.

    Past the brush and deadfall, you enter a larch forest, while a bit cluttered with bushes in spots, makes for easy travel. Near the top things get quite steep, but remain nothing more than a hike all the way through a wide gap in the cliff band guarding the summit plateau.

    An easy stroll then leads you to the summit of Syncline Mountain, marked with a cairn holding a geocache/register. It is possible to traverse to the other two summits, but there is significant scrambling required. Otherwise, rest and enjoy the views then return the way you came.

    Insider Hints for Syncline Mountain

    Getting to the Syncline Mountain Trailhead

    From Beaver Mines, drive South on Highway 774 towards Castle Ski Area. After 22.6 km, park under the drainage gully at the side of the road under Syncline.

    Route Information

    • When to do

      June - September

    • Backcountry Campsites

      None

    • Toilets

      None

    • Pets allowed

      Yes - On Leash

    • Scarmbling Rating

      Grade 1

    • Exposure

      Mild

    • Family friendly

      Older Children only

    • Route Signage

      None

    • Crowd Levels

      Low

    • Route Type

      Out and back

    Syncline Mountain Elevation Graph

    Weather Forecast

    Check Area Weather

    Syncline Mountain Reviews

    Add a comment

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    Nearby Trails

    Nearby Regions

    Get travel inspiration and discounts

    Join our weekly travel newsletter