Porcupine Ridge Trail

Near Kananaskis Village · Elbow Sheep Wildland Provincial Park

Hard · Out and back

Trail score 68 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

About this trail

Porcupine Ridge Trail is a 8.6 km out and back trail near Kananaskis Village in Elbow Sheep Wildland Provincial Park. It runs 4.3 km each way. The route gains 727 m in total and tops out at 2,093 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard. Allow about 5 hours of moving time. It meets Porcupine Trail at 0.7 km, shortcut at 1.0 km and Midday Peak Route at 1.3 km, and passes six other mapped junctions. Along the way you pass the summit of Porcupine Ridge. Much of the route follows Porcupine Creek.

Length: 8.6km; 4.3 km each way
Elevation gain: 727m
Estimated time: 5h; Moving time
Route: Out and back
Highest point: 2,093m
Lowest point: 1,426m

Elevation profile

1,426 m to 2,093 m

Highest point 2,093 m, lowest 1,426 m, 727 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 50% 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

4.2 kmPorcupine RidgeSummit · 2,260 m

Good for

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

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 50.9781° N, 115.0821° 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 111 trails in Elbow Sheep Wildland Provincial Park

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