Chester Lake

Near Fortress Mountain Resort · Peter Lougheed Provincial Park

Moderate · Out and back

Trail score 80 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

About this trail

Chester Lake is a 8.9 km out and back trail near Fortress Mountain Resort in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. It runs 4.5 km each way. The route gains 356 m in total and tops out at 2,210 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate. Allow about 3 hours 15 minutes of moving time. It meets Galatea South Route at 3.8 km and Three Lakes Valley Tr at 4.3 km, and passes three other mapped junctions. Three side branches with the same name split off the route, at 0.4 km, 0.5 km and 2.0 km. The distance and climb above follow this route only, not its branches. Along the way you pass Chester Lake. Much of the route follows Chester Creek. Also used for trail running and mountain biking.

Length: 8.9km; 4.5 km each way
Elevation gain: 356m
Estimated time: 3h15min; Moving time
Route: Out and back
Highest point: 2,210m
Lowest point: 1,907m

Elevation profile

1,907 m to 2,210 m

Highest point 2,210 m, lowest 1,907 m, 356 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 23% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 23% of route

0% LTE · 23% 5G

Longest modelled gap: 3.5 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

4.2 kmChester LakeLake
4.3 kmThree Lakes ValleyTrailhead

Good for

Hiking, Trail running, Mountain biking
Dog friendly (on leash)
Lake, Views, River or creek, Alpine

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 50.7910° N, 115.3010° 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 157 trails in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park

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