Elbow Trail
Near Paddy's Flat · Kananaskis Conservation Pass area
Trail score 52 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality
About this trail
Elbow Trail is a 3.6 km out and back trail near Paddy's Flat in Kananaskis Conservation Pass area. It runs 1.8 km each way. The route gains 55 m in total and tops out at 1,416 m. Hike Alberta rates it easy. Allow about 1 hour of moving time. It meets Fullerton Loop at 1.6 km, and passes two other mapped junctions. Much of the route follows Ranger Creek. Also used for walking, trail running and mountain biking.
- Length
- 3.6km
- 1.8 km each way
- Elevation gain
- 55m
- Estimated time
- 1h
- Moving time
- Route
- Out and back
- Highest point
- 1,416m
- Lowest point
- 1,390m
Elevation profile
1,390 m to 1,416 mHighest point 1,416 m, lowest 1,390 m, 55 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 8% 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
- 0.6 kmFullerton TrailheadTrailhead
Good for
- Hiking, Walking, Trail running, Mountain biking, Horseback riding
- Dog friendly (on leash), Kid friendly
- River or creek
Rankings
Trailhead
The trail starts at 50.9038° N, 114.6837° 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
- ElbowModerate · 11.3 km · 276 m gain · 0.4 km away
- SnagmoreModerate · 10.4 km · 364 m gain · 0.6 km away
- Sugar MamaModerate · 6.9 km · 279 m gain · 0.6 km away
- Fullerton LoopEasy · 4.5 km · 175 m gain · 0.7 km away
- Sugar DaddyModerate · 7.7 km · 282 m gain · 1.3 km away
- Mclean PondEasy · 0.9 km · 1 m gain · 1.4 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