Elbow Loop

Near Kananaskis Village · Elbow Sheep Wildland Provincial Park

Hard · Out and back · Official trail

Trail score 59 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

About this trail

Elbow Loop is a 25.5 km out and back trail near Kananaskis Village in Elbow Sheep Wildland Provincial Park. It runs 12.8 km each way. The route gains 421 m in total and tops out at 1,830 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard. Allow about 7 hours 30 minutes of moving time. It meets Big Elbow Tr at 0.3 km and Cougar Mountain Route at 11.5 km, and passes eight other mapped junctions. Much of the route follows Elbow River. Also used for mountain biking and backpacking.

Length: 25.5km; 12.8 km each way
Elevation gain: 421m
Estimated time: 7h30min; Moving time
Route: Out and back
Highest point: 1,830m
Lowest point: 1,619m

Elevation profile

1,619 m to 1,830 m

Highest point 1,830 m, lowest 1,619 m, 421 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 16% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 100% of route

100% LTE · 0% 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.

Good for

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

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 50.7909° N, 114.8543° 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
Government of Alberta, Open Government Licence Alberta
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30