Mount French Route

Near Fortress Mountain Resort · Peter Lougheed Provincial Park

Hard · Out and back

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

About this trail

Mount French Route is a 14.3 km out and back trail near Fortress Mountain Resort in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. It runs 7.1 km each way. The route gains 1,268 m in total and tops out at 3,163 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard. Allow about 8 hours 30 minutes of moving time. It meets Prairie Lookout Route at 4.2 km and Mount Jellicoe Route at 6.0 km. Along the way you pass the summit of Mount French. Much of the route follows French Creek.

Length: 14.3km; 7.1 km each way
Elevation gain: 1,268m
Estimated time: 8h30min; Moving time
Route: Out and back
Highest point: 3,163m
Lowest point: 2,031m

Elevation profile

2,031 m to 3,163 m

Highest point 3,163 m, lowest 2,031 m, 1,268 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 71% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 0% of route

0% LTE · 0% 5G

Longest modelled gap: 7.1 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

7.1 kmMount FrenchSummit · 3,234 m

Good for

Hiking
Dog friendly (on leash)
Summit, Views, River or creek, Glacier, Alpine

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 50.7666° N, 115.3104° 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 157 trails in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park

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