Kananaskis Highlands Backpacking Adventure
Backpack through Kananaskis Country for 5 days
Guided
Kananaskis Highlands Backpacking Adventure Overview
Have you heard of Banff’s little sister, Kananaskis? This collection of provincial parks and wildlands make up one of the best hiking destinations in Canada. With scenery that’s just as good as the big national parks but comes with fewer people on the trail, this is the ideal place to get backpacking! The Kananaskis Highlands Backpacking Adventure shows you the very best of this special place!
Spend 5 days on the Kananaskis Highlands Backpacking Adventure, hiking deep into the wilderness to discover tightly-packed limestone peaks, beautifully pristine lakes, and miles of wild forest. The mountain panoramas are breathtaking, and each night you’ll be cozied up under these dramatic mountains in your campsites. This is a real adventure and a chance to get away from it all!
Trip highlights
Explore Kananaskis Country, an area with views that rival those of Banff but with lighter crowds to contend with.
Discover remote mountain scenery full of peaks, lakes, meadows, and dramatic ridgelines.
Test your strength over 5 days of backpacking designed for the strong intermediate hiker.
Camp each evening in the Canadian backcountry, disconnecting from it all to fully experience the mountains.
Day By Day Itinerary
Begin the tour with a meeting in Canmore to check everyone’s gear before leaving. Drive along the beautiful Smith-Dorrien Highway to your trailhead, where you’ll hike around the Upper Kananaskis Lakes and along the Kananaskis River.
End your hike at Three Isle Lake, where you’ll camp tonight.
- Overnight Location:
- Camping in Kananaskis
- Distance:
- 10.2km, 525m elevation gain
- Meals:
- Lunch, dinner
Hike up above the treeline to experience the views from Northover Ridge (2800m). Hike west into the Royal Group and then return to camp for an evening of fishing, stories, and relaxing.
- Overnight Location:
- Camping in Kananaskis
- Distance:
- 10km, 600m elevation gain, 600m elevation loss
- Meals:
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Wake up in paradise, then pack up and head to the Continental Divide through South Kananaskis Pass (2360m), crossing into British Columbia. Pass Beatty Lake and make a big climb to North Kananaskis Pass.
Back in Alberta, enjoy a nice view of Maude Lake before heading down to your campsite at Turbine Canyon.
- Overnight Location:
- Camping in Kananaskis
- Distance:
- 14.2km, 730m elevation gain, 650m elevation loss
- Meals:
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
The views you’ll enjoy as you hike out of Turbine Canyon are fantastic! Take your time in this area before leaving en route to Lawson Lake, where you’ll start your descent to Forks Campground.
- Overnight Location:
- Camping in Kananaskis
- Distance:
- 7.8km, 400m elevation loss
- Meals:
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After a final breakfast and coffee at camp, begin your return to civilization by hiking through the Upper Kananaskis River Valley to the Upper Kananaskis Lake. Retrace your way back to Canmore, where the group can choose to go out for a celebratory dinner together.
- Overnight Location:
- None
- Distance:
- 7km, 100m elevation loss
- Meals:
- Breakfast, lunch
Tour Map
We know Adventure
10Adventures only does Hiking, Cycling and Adventure Holidays. Its our mission to help you explore the world!
Inclusions
Included
- 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 4 dinners are included. If you have special dietary requirements, these may incur an additional fee.
- Accommodations for 4 nights are included in shared tents. Accommodations before or after the tour are not included but can be booked as a supplement. You should arrive to Canmore one day before the tour start for a briefing.
- Participants are responsible for their own transportation to Canmore and will be driven from Canmore to the trailhead. We recommend renting a car or booking a shuttle. Canmore is about an hour from Calgary.
- Tents
- Guide services
Not Included
- Flights
- Meals, drinks, or snacks
- Travel insurance
- Optional excursions
- Visas if required
- Anything not mentioned as included
- GST (5%)
Optional Extras
- Special dietary requirement meals
Non-Standard Cancellation
- 60 days or more prior to departure: the cancellation fee will be 10% of the total trip cost (at least $150 CAD).
- 59 days or less prior to departure: the cancellation fee will be 100% of the total trip cost.
Reviews
These reviews reflect all trips offered by this local tour partner on 10Adventures, not just the tour you’re viewing.
These reviews reflect all trips offered by this local tour partner on 10Adventures, not just the tour you’re viewing.
Travellers love 10Adventures
View all
FAQ
We rate this tour as a 4/5. This tour is not recommended for beginner hikers. You should have experience hiking and a solid level of fitness to enjoy this tour, as you’ll be hiking an average of 10 km-14 km each day for consecutive days at high elevations and sleeping in very basic conditions, as well as carrying a backpack of up to 16 kg (35 lbs).
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 6 dinners are included. If you have special dietary requirements, these may incur an additional fee.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip. Please verify that your insurance covers the included activities on this tour. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly into the Calgary International Airport (YYC). We recommend you rent a car or book a shuttle as there is no included transportation between Calgary and the meeting point on this tour.
Yes, you will be led by an experienced guide.
Yes, you will carry everything you need, as well as a share of the common food and equipment.
The tour ends in Canmore. You will be responsible for finding your own way back to the airport after the tour.
We’ve given a basic gear list below, but please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about your gear, as you’ll need to carry it!
- Boots
- Multiday pack (55-75 litres)
- Pack cover
- Daypack
- Water bottle or bladder (1-2 litres)
- Sunglasses
- Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
- Pillow
- Sunscreen, SPF lip balm
- Camera
- Headlamp with fresh batteries
- Blister kit
- Earplugs
- First aid items (guides carry a first aid kit, but you may bring your own Band-Aids and anti-inflammatory medication if desired)
- Personal toiletries, including hand sanitizer
- Bug spray
- Plastic mug, bowl, and eating utensils
- Trekking poles (optional)
- Toque
- Insulated jacket
- Fleece jacket
- Hiking pants
- Light footwear for creek crossing or camping
- Hiking socks
- Long underwear
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to visit the Rockies for this tour is in July and August when the weather in the mountains is at its warmest and sunniest.
Why book Kananaskis Highlands Backpacking Adventure with 10 Adventures?
Small Group Adventures
Join like-minded travellers to safely and confidently experience all the things that make our world worth exploring.
Packed with Inclusions
Accommodations, luggage transfers, gear rentals, and more - all taken care of so you can focus on making memories.
World Class Support
Have peace of mind for when travel plans change with our hassle-free booking process and unbeatable support.
Let's start talking about your next adventure!