Plateau Mountain Alternate Route

Plateau Mountain Ecological Reserve

Moderate · Out and back

Trail score 39 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

About this trail

Plateau Mountain Alternate Route is a 8.3 km out and back trail in Plateau Mountain Ecological Reserve. It runs 4.1 km each way. The route gains 143 m in total and tops out at 2,474 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate. Allow about 2 hours 30 minutes of moving time. It passes one mapped trail junction, at 0.6 km. At 1.7 km a 0.2 km side branch with the same name splits off. The map also shows five separate sections with the same name that are not part of this route. The distance and climb above follow this route only, not its branches. Also used for trail running and mountain biking.

Length: 8.3km; 4.1 km each way
Elevation gain: 143m
Estimated time: 2h30min; Moving time
Route: Out and back
Highest point: 2,474m
Lowest point: 2,398m

Elevation profile

2,398 m to 2,474 m

Highest point 2,474 m, lowest 2,398 m, 143 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 12% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 100% of route

9% LTE · 91% 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, Trail running, Mountain biking
Views, Alpine

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 50.2245° N, 114.5307° 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 5 trails in Plateau Mountain Ecological Reserve

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