Best backpacking trails in Southern Alberta
The 15 best backpacking trails in Southern Alberta, out of 16 that we map, ranked by trail score.
How we rank trails Ranked by trail score, highest first.
The list
Sorted by rank- 1Livingstone Fire Lookout TrailNear Crowsnest Pass · Bob Creek Wildland Provincial ParkHard · 20.0 km · 830 m gain · 7 h 15 minSummit · Views · Alpine · Passes Thrift Peak69score
- 2Camp Ridge RouteNear Maycroft · Bob Creek Wildland Provincial ParkHard · 22.3 km · 1,096 m gain · 8 h 45 minViews · Alpine · Passes Thrift Peak55score
- 3Willow Creek Ridge RouteNear Nanton · Southern AlbertaHard · 22.2 km · 982 m gain · 8 h 15 minLake · Views · River or creek · Passes Chain Lakes Reservoir55score
- 4Sentinel Peak TrailKananaskis Conservation Pass areaHard · 21.9 km · 1,082 m gain · 8 h 30 minSummit · Views · Alpine · Passes Sentinel Peak and Hailstone Butte52score
- 5High Rock TrailNear Elkford · Livingstone Public Land Use ZoneHard · 38.4 km · 2,137 m gain · 16 h 15 minViews · River or creek · Alpine46score
- 6Mount Oliver RouteDon Getty Wildland Provincial ParkHard · 23.3 km · 1,482 m gain · 10 h 45 minSummit · Views · River or creek · Alpine · Passes Mount Oliver46score
- 7Mount Minos South Ridge RouteKiska/Willson Public Land Use ZoneHard · 13.5 km · 770 m gain · 5 h 45 minSummit · Views · Camping · Alpine · Passes Mount Minos45score
- 8Monad Peak RouteNear Elkford · Livingstone Public Land Use ZoneHard · 22.7 km · 1,379 m gain · 10 h 15 minSummit · Views · Alpine · Passes Monad Peak43score
- 9LivingstoneWillow Creek Public Land Use ZoneHard · 27.6 km · 1,274 m gain · 10 h 15 min41score
- 10Scalp Creek TrailScalp Creek Natural AreaHard · 29.2 km · 948 m gain · 9 h 45 minRiver or creek37score
- 11Cataract Creek TrailDon Getty Wildland Provincial ParkHard · 24.5 km · 595 m gain · 7 h 45 minRiver or creek36score
- 12Porcupine HillsNear Claresholm · Porcupine Hills Public Land Use ZoneHard · 45.4 km · 1,760 m gain · 16 hCamping33score
- 13Lost Lake LoopNear Summer Village of Burnstick Lake · Southern AlbertaHard · 20.8 km · 455 m gain · 6 h 30 minLake · Camping29score
- 14Trans Canada TrailNear Blackfalds · Southern AlbertaModerate · 10.8 km · 88 m gain · 3 hLake · Camping · Passes Lacombe Lake25score
- 15Blue Hill LoopSouthern AlbertaHard · 15.7 km · 799 m gain · 6 h 15 minCamping16score