Exshaw Pass Route
Near Canmore · Kananaskis Conservation Pass area
Trail score 53 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality
About this trail
Exshaw Pass Route is a 11.5 km out and back trail near Canmore in Kananaskis Conservation Pass area. It runs 5.7 km each way. The route gains 894 m in total and tops out at 2,580 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard. Allow about 6 hours 15 minutes of moving time. Along the way you pass the summit of Cross Peak. Much of the route follows Exshaw Creek.
- Length
- 11.5km
- 5.7 km each way
- Elevation gain
- 894m
- Estimated time
- 6h15min
- Moving time
- Route
- Out and back
- Highest point
- 2,580m
- Lowest point
- 1,713m
Elevation profile
1,713 m to 2,580 mHighest point 2,580 m, lowest 1,713 m, 894 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 58% 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
- 5.7 kmCross PeakSummit · 2,560 m
Good for
- Hiking
- Dog friendly (on leash)
- Summit, Views, River or creek, Alpine
Trailhead
The trail starts at 51.1301° N, 115.2044° 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
- Exshaw Ridge ExtensionHard · 4.1 km · 567 m gain · 1.2 km away
- South Ghost Peak / Cross Peak RouteHard · 11.3 km · 1,349 m gain · 1.6 km away
- Morrowmount RouteHard · 2.4 km · 410 m gain · 1.7 km away
- Epic Tower RouteModerate · 2.2 km · 235 m gain · 1.9 km away
- Mythic Tower RouteEasy · 1.7 km · 98 m gain · 2.0 km away
- Fable to Mythic RouteHard · 2.5 km · 261 m gain · 2.0 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