Death's Head Trail
Near Diamond Valley · Kananaskis Conservation Pass area
Trail score 23 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality
About this trail
Death's Head Trail is a 4.1 km out and back trail near Diamond Valley in Kananaskis Conservation Pass area. It runs 2.1 km each way. The route gains 318 m in total and tops out at 1,735 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate. Allow about 2 hours 15 minutes of moving time. It passes three mapped trail junctions. Also used for mountain biking and horseback riding.
- Length
- 4.1km
- 2.1 km each way
- Elevation gain
- 318m
- Estimated time
- 2h15min
- Moving time
- Route
- Out and back
- Highest point
- 1,735m
- Lowest point
- 1,559m
Elevation profile
1,559 m to 1,735 mHighest point 1,735 m, lowest 1,559 m, 318 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 36% 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
- 1.5 kmDeath's HeadSummit · 1,703 m
Good for
- Hiking, Mountain biking, Horseback riding
- Dog friendly (on leash)
Trailhead
The trail starts at 50.7426° N, 114.5871° W.
Kananaskis Conservation Pass
Vehicle pass required when parking
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.
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
- North ForkModerate · 9.8 km · 386 m gain · 1.0 km away
- Allsmoke Mountain TrailHard · 14.3 km · 730 m gain · 1.9 km away
- Ware CreekModerate · 6.1 km · 118 m gain · 2.0 km away
- Death's Head RouteModerate · 4.8 km · 298 m gain · 2.6 km away
- 9999 Ridge RoutesHard · 4.5 km · 264 m gain · 2.7 km away
- Sinnot Hill RouteEasy · 2.6 km · 128 m gain · 2.7 km away
All 330 trails in Kananaskis Conservation Pass area
Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30