Whirlpool Ridge Route

Kiska/Willson Public Land Use Zone

Hard · Out and back

Trail score 55 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

About this trail

Whirlpool Ridge Route is a 15.6 km out and back trail in Kiska/Willson Public Land Use Zone. It runs 7.8 km each way. The route gains 1,488 m in total and tops out at 2,824 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard. Allow about 10 hours of moving time. It meets Whirlpool Ridge Alt Route at 4.0 km, and passes one other mapped junction. At 1.8 km the trail forks. This route keeps left; the right fork is a 1.1 km side branch with the same name. The distance and climb above follow this route only, not its branches. Along the way you pass the summit of Whirlpool Ridge and Whirlpool Point.

Length: 15.6km; 7.8 km each way
Elevation gain: 1,488m
Estimated time: 10h; Moving time
Route: Out and back
Highest point: 2,824m
Lowest point: 1,362m

Elevation profile

1,362 m to 2,824 m

Highest point 2,824 m, lowest 1,362 m, 1,488 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 54% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 3% of route

3% LTE · 0% 5G

Longest modelled gap: 7.6 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

0.0 kmWhirlpool PointViewpoint
7.7 kmWhirlpool RidgeSummit · 2,796 m

Good for

Hiking
Dog friendly (on leash)
Summit, Views, Alpine

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 52.0038° N, 116.4773° W.

Driving directions

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 185 trails in Kiska/Willson Public Land Use Zone

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