Iron Lakes Ridge Route

Kananaskis Conservation Pass area

Hard · Loop

Trail score 50 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

About this trail

Iron Lakes Ridge Route is a 5.0 km loop trail in Kananaskis Conservation Pass area. The route gains 466 m in total and tops out at 2,156 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard. Allow about 3 hours of moving time. It meets Iron Creek Ridge Route at 4.5 km. Two side branches with the same name split off the route, at 1.9 km and 3.6 km. The distance and climb above follow this route only, not its branches. Also used for mountain biking.

Length: 5.0km
Elevation gain: 466m
Estimated time: 3h; Moving time
Route: Loop
Highest point: 2,156m
Lowest point: 1,697m

Elevation profile

1,697 m to 2,156 m

Highest point 2,156 m, lowest 1,697 m, 466 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 45% 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.

Good for

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

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 50.2257° N, 114.4485° 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 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