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Kananaskis Alpine Hike

Pocaterra Cirque & Highwood Pass

High-alpine larch forest valley, reflecting tarns, and dramatic rock amphitheaters in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.

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HOW TO USE THIS LIVE ITINERARY

Welcome! This live guide keeps your trip relaxed and on schedule. Tap to update your departure time on the fly or launch offline maps when driving off the grid.

πŸš€ 1. START TRIP NOW

Tap when you hit the road. All stop times and descriptions automatically adjust to match your live departure.

πŸ“ 2. ONE-TAP NAVIGATION

Tap Open Satellite GPS on any stop to drop a pin directly in Apple or Google Maps offline.

πŸ“Έ 3. REPLICATE THE SHOTS

Check the photo guides under each stop for exact trail tips to capture the best angles.

πŸ“„ 4. OFFLINE BACKUP

Save a PDF copy of this guide before heading out into areas with limited cellular coverage.

πŸš— LEG 1: CALGARY TO HIGHWOOD PASS TRAILHEAD (~140 km | ~1h 35m)
  • Head west on Trans-Canada Hwy / AB-1 W toward Banff.
  • Take exit 118 for AB-40 S (Kananaskis Trail) toward Kananaskis Country.
  • Drive south on AB-40 S for approximately 67 km through Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.
  • Ascend to Highwood Pass Day Use Area (highest paved pass in Canada).
  • Turn right into the main paved parking area.
πŸš— LEG 2: HIGHWOOD PASS TO BLACKWOOD COFFEE / KANANASKIS VILLAGE (~42 km | ~30m)
  • Exit Highwood Pass parking lot and turn left (north) onto AB-40 N.
  • Drive north on AB-40 N for 38 km.
  • Turn left onto Kananaskis Village Way and follow signs for Village Centre.
πŸš— LEG 3: KANANASKIS VILLAGE BACK TO CALGARY (~100 km | ~1h 10m)
  • Exit Kananaskis Village onto AB-40 N.
  • Follow AB-40 N for 24 km back to Trans-Canada Hwy / AB-1 E.
  • Merge right onto AB-1 E and follow directly back into Calgary.
Minute By Minute

Itinerary

8:00 AM β€” 9:35 AM (1h 35m)

Depart Calgary

Drive west via Trans-Canada Hwy / AB-1 W and south on scenic Kananaskis Trail (Hwy 40 S) up to Highwood Pass.

9:35 AM β€” 1:35 PM (4h 00m) πŸ‚ 9Β°C Β· Subalpine Cirque

Pocaterra Cirque Hike

Depart from Highwood Pass into subalpine forest, opening into golden larch meadows, reflecting tarn ponds, and the towering rock walls of Mount Tyrwhitt (~7.0 km round-trip | ~400m elevation gain).

Pocaterra Cirque Photo Reference
πŸ“Έ REPLICATE THIS SHOT Position yourself at the north edge of the upper tarn to catch Mount Tyrwhitt framed by golden alpine larches reflecting off the water.
2:05 PM β€” 3:05 PM (1h 00m) β˜• 13Β°C Β· Mountain Village

Kananaskis Village & Blackwood Coffee

Unwind post-hike with artisanal coffee, warm food, and patio treats nestled in Kananaskis Village surrounded by Mount Kidd views.

3:05 PM β€” 4:15 PM (1h 10m)

Return to Calgary

Head back north down Hwy 40 N and east via Trans-Canada Hwy / AB-1 E to arrive home comfortably by 4:15 PM.

Start
Calgary, AB
Distance
~280 km
Drive time
~3h 15m
Active Stops
2
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πŸ“ LIVE STATUS: READY TO DEPART