Fortress Ridge Trail

About this trail

Fortress Ridge Trail is a 6.1 km loop trail near Fortress Mountain Resort in Kananaskis Conservation Pass area. The route gains 418 m in total and tops out at 2,315 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate. Allow about 3 hours of moving time. It meets Fortress Lake Trail at 0.7 km and Trail at 3.1 km, and passes three other mapped junctions. At the start a 2.7 km side branch with the same name splits off. The distance and climb above follow this route only, not its branches. Along the way you pass a gondola station. Also used for mountain biking.

Highest point 2,315 m, lowest 2,014 m, 418 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 36% over 100 m.

Along the way

1. 0.1 kmGondola or lift station
2. 2.2 kmGondola or lift station
3. 3.1 kmGondola or lift station

Good for

• Hiking, Mountain biking
• Dog friendly (on leash)
• Views, Alpine

Rankings

• 14in Best loop hikes in the Kananaskis Conservation Pass area

Trailhead

The trail starts at 50.8369° N, 115.2192° W.

Driving directions

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:

• Kananaskis trail reports
• Alberta Parks advisories and closures
• Avalanche Canada
• Alberta wildfire status

Nearby trails

• Fortress Lake TrailEasy · 2.8 km · 216 m gain · 1.2 km away
• Fortress S Ridge RtHard · 1.7 km · 370 m gain · 2.5 km away
• The Spoon Needle RouteModerate · 7.4 km · 373 m gain · 2.7 km away
• Fortress SE Ridge Alt RtHard · 2.4 km · 348 m gain · 2.8 km away
• Lost Lake RouteHard · 13.7 km · 791 m gain · 2.9 km away
• Fortress Southern Outlier RouteHard · 3.2 km · 512 m gain · 3.1 km away