Hike Alberta
Compression Ridge 1 km N
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Compression Ridge Route

Near Kananaskis Village · Elbow Sheep Wildland Provincial Park

Hard · Loop

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

Compression Ridge 1 km Open the map

About this trail

Compression Ridge Route is a 12.8 km loop trail near Kananaskis Village in Elbow Sheep Wildland Provincial Park. The route gains 1,074 m in total and tops out at 2,532 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard. Allow about 7 hours 15 minutes of moving time. It meets Nihahi Ridge Route at 2.4 km. Two side branches with the same name split off the route, at 10 m and 4.5 km. The distance and climb above follow this route only, not its branches. Along the way you pass a stream crossing.

Length
12.8km
Elevation gain
1,074m
Estimated time
7h15min
Moving time
Route
Loop
Highest point
2,532m
Lowest point
1,712m

Elevation profile

1,712 m to 2,532 m
2,5291,713 0 km12.9 km

Highest point 2,532 m, lowest 1,712 m, 1,074 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 73% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 100% of route

0% LTE · 100% 5G

Longest modelled gap
0.0 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. 7.6 kmCompression RidgeSummit · 2,545 m
  2. 11.4 kmStream crossing
  3. 11.7 kmStream crossing

Good for

  • Hiking
  • Dog friendly (on leash)
  • Views, River or creek, Alpine

Trailhead

The trail starts at 50.8771° N, 114.9008° 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 111 trails in Elbow Sheep Wildland Provincial Park

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