Pocaterra Ridge Trail
Near Fortress Junction · Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
Trail score 55 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality
About this trail
Pocaterra Ridge Trail is a 14.3 km out and back trail near Fortress Junction in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. It runs 7.1 km each way. The route gains 1,487 m in total and tops out at 2,665 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard. Allow about 9 hours 45 minutes of moving time. It meets Little Highwood Pass Route at 5.7 km, and passes three other mapped junctions. Two side branches with the same name split off the route, at 5.8 km and 6.7 km. The distance and climb above follow this route only, not its branches.
- Length
- 14.3km
- 7.1 km each way
- Elevation gain
- 1,487m
- Estimated time
- 9h45min
- Moving time
- Route
- Out and back
- Highest point
- 2,665m
- Lowest point
- 1,905m
Elevation profile
1,905 m to 2,665 mHighest point 2,665 m, lowest 1,905 m, 1,487 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 55% over 100 m.
Predicted coverage: 46% of route
46% LTE · 0% 5G
- Longest modelled gap
- 3.8 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
- 5.7 kmPocaterra RidgeSummit · 2,667 m
Good for
- Hiking
- Dog friendly (on leash)
- Views, Alpine
Trailhead
The trail starts at 50.6426° N, 115.0424° W.
Kananaskis Conservation Pass
Vehicle pass required when parking
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.
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
- Gap Mountain RouteHard · 4.1 km · 737 m gain · 0.2 km away
- Mount Roberta RouteHard · 5.1 km · 830 m gain · 1.2 km away
- Mount Roberta Extension RouteHard · 2.8 km · 276 m gain · 1.4 km away
- Elbow Pass/Lake TrailModerate · 10.5 km · 264 m gain · 1.6 km away
- Rae Glacier RouteModerate · 5.0 km · 263 m gain · 2.5 km away
- Lookout TrailEasy · 3.4 km · 192 m gain · 2.8 km away
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