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2 km N
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Cataract Creek Trail

Don Getty Wildland Provincial Park

Hard · Out and back

Trail score 36 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

2 km Open the map

About this trail

Cataract Creek Trail is a 24.5 km out and back trail in Don Getty Wildland Provincial Park. It runs 12.2 km each way. The route gains 595 m in total and tops out at 2,045 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard. Allow about 7 hours 45 minutes of moving time. It meets Great Divide Trail at 10.4 km, and passes five other mapped junctions. Between 8.4 km and 10.4 km a 2.7 km alternative with the same name runs beside the route. The distance and climb above follow this route only, not its branches. Along the way you pass a stream crossing. Much of the route follows Cataract Creek. Also used for mountain biking and backpacking.

Length
24.5km
12.2 km each way
Elevation gain
595m
Estimated time
7h45min
Moving time
Route
Out and back
Highest point
2,045m
Lowest point
1,669m

Elevation profile

1,669 m to 2,045 m
2,0451,669 0 km12.3 km

Highest point 2,045 m, lowest 1,669 m, 595 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 21% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 7% of route

7% LTE · 0% 5G

Longest modelled gap
11.3 km
Model
2024 · Natural Resources Canada

Predicted coverage is not guaranteed. It varies by carrier, terrain, weather, device and network load, and it does not guarantee emergency service.

Along the way

  1. 6.7 kmStream crossing

Good for

  • Hiking, Mountain biking, Backpacking
  • Dog friendly (on leash)
  • River or creek

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 50.2870° N, 114.6076° W.

Driving directions

Kananaskis Conservation Pass

Vehicle pass required when parking

Buy pass

Pass details

Vehicles parked at provincial park and public land sites in Kananaskis Country and the Bow Valley need this pass. It is registered to the licence plate. People arriving without a vehicle do not need one, and official exemptions and free days may apply.

$15 daily for one vehicle · $90 yearly for up to three vehicles

Information and prices checked October 21, 2026.

Official details

Before you go

Carry an offline map and plan for no service in backcountry areas. Trails close for wildlife, fire, weather and construction. Check the official sources:

Nearby trails

All 103 trails in Don Getty Wildland Provincial Park

Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30