Hike Alberta
McConnell Ridge 500 m N
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McConnell Ridge East Route

Near Exshaw · Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park

Hard · Out and back

Trail score 47 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

McConnell Ridge 500 m Open the map

About this trail

McConnell Ridge East Route is a 5.7 km out and back trail near Exshaw in Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park. It runs 2.9 km each way. The route gains 729 m in total and tops out at 1,767 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard. Allow about 4 hours 30 minutes of moving time. It passes one mapped trail junction, at 2.2 km. The map also shows a separate section with the same name that is not part of this route. The distance and climb above follow this route only, not its branches.

Length
5.7km
2.9 km each way
Elevation gain
729m
Estimated time
4h30min
Moving time
Route
Out and back
Highest point
1,767m
Lowest point
1,306m

Elevation profile

1,306 m to 1,767 m
1,7661,306 0 km2.9 km

Highest point 1,767 m, lowest 1,306 m, 729 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 54% 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

  1. 1.4 kmMcConnell RidgeSummit · 1,740 m

Good for

  • Hiking
  • Dog friendly (on leash)
  • Views

Trailhead

The trail starts at 51.0616° N, 115.1332° 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 149 trails in Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park

Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30