Hike Alberta
Mount BurnsMount BurnugarCougar Mountain 2 km N
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Cougar Burns Traverse Route

Near Fortress Junction · Elbow Sheep Wildland Provincial Park

Hard · Out and back

Trail score 47 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

Mount BurnsMount Burnugar 2 km Open the map

About this trail

Cougar Burns Traverse Route is a 28.0 km out and back trail near Fortress Junction in Elbow Sheep Wildland Provincial Park. It runs 14.0 km each way. The route gains 2,401 m in total and tops out at 2,917 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard. Allow about 16 hours 15 minutes of moving time. It meets Mount Burns Route at 8.6 km. Along the way you pass the summit of Cougar Mountain. Also used for backpacking.

Length
28.0km
14.0 km each way
Elevation gain
2,401m
Estimated time
16h15min
Moving time
Route
Out and back
Highest point
2,917m
Lowest point
1,820m

Elevation profile

1,820 m to 2,917 m
2,9171,820 0 km14.0 km

Highest point 2,917 m, lowest 1,820 m, 2,401 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 61% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 90% of route

7% LTE · 83% 5G

Longest modelled gap
1.5 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

  1. 8.3 kmMount BurnsSummit · 2,936 m
  2. 12.0 kmMount BurnugarSummit · 2,850 m
  3. 13.9 kmCougar MountainSummit · 2,863 m

Good for

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

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 50.6948° N, 114.8447° 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