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Powderface Creek

Near Paddy's Flat · Elbow Falls Provincial Recreation Area

Moderate · Point to point · Official trail

Trail score 60 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

1 km Open the map

About this trail

Powderface Creek is a 7.7 km point to point trail near Paddy's Flat in Elbow Falls Provincial Recreation Area. The route gains 498 m in total and tops out at 2,021 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate. Allow about 3 hours of moving time. It meets White Buddha Trail at 1.1 km, Prairie Link at 3.0 km and Powderface Ridge Trail at 6.4 km, and passes seven other mapped junctions. Along the way you pass a stream crossing. Much of the route follows Powderface Creek. Also used for mountain biking, horseback riding and snowshoeing.

Length
7.7km
Elevation gain
498m
Estimated time
3h
Moving time
Route
Point to point
Highest point
2,021m
Lowest point
1,529m

Elevation profile

1,529 m to 2,021 m
2,0211,529 0 km7.7 km

Highest point 2,021 m, lowest 1,529 m, 498 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 23% 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. 3.0 kmStream crossing

Good for

  • Hiking, Mountain biking, Horseback riding, Snowshoeing
  • Dog friendly (on leash)
  • River or creek

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 50.8651° N, 114.7926° 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 Elbow Falls Provincial Recreation Area

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