The Elbow Valley has a variety of trails that wind through the foothills and into the mountains. Some are self-contained loops, some are tentacles that extend from a network of interconnected trails. The trail length indicated here may be one way or return depending on whether there are alternate return routes or not.
Day Hikes
Some of the trails in the Elbow Valley are restricted for hiking, cycling and equestrian use. These are good day hikes. There are also longer trails for overnight trips in the area. West Bragg Creek trails are recommended for cross-country skiing and cycling. The trails in McLean Creek are reserved for motorized Off-Highway Vehicles. The
Greater Bragg Creek Trails Association have extended the trail network in West Bragg Creek, Kananaskis significantly. In July of 2017, Alberta Parks plans to open a new, huge parking lot with space for 485 cars, buses and an equestrian staging area. The area is no longer an unloved cross-country skiing destination, it is now one of the most popular cycling destinations anywhere – attracting at least 150,000 visits a year. It’s so big, I can’t cover it. I recommend purchasing the Bragg Creek & Area Trails, Map & Guide, published by the Trails Association. The Trails Association are (in 2017) working on a trail along the West Bragg Creek Rd. It will be part of the Trans-Canada Trail system.
The Big Elbow Trail is part of the Elbow Loop
View an interactive trail finder and facilities map of the Elbow Valley
Elbow Valley Trails
| Trail |
Diamond “T” Loop
   |
| Road Access |
Station Flats
Trailhead is on the far side of the circular road |
| Length/Height |
4 km loop
125 m/400 ft elevation gain/loss1.5 – 2 hrs |
| Trail |
Sulphur Springs
This trail runs parallel to the Elbow Valley Trail. It begins and ends on the Elbow Valley Trail. You can access the trail from Station Flats, by continuing past the 2 Diamond “T” Loop junctions on the Elbow Valley Trail about 2 km about 2 km from the parking lot.It makes a nice 9 km loop when you park on the Moose Mountain road loop back on the Elbow Trail.It can also be combined with the Riverview and Elbow Valley trails to make a loop |
| Road Access |
1. The parking area at Station Flats. Trailhead is on the far side of the circular road.
2. Up Moose Mountain Rd. 2.3 km. Park in the pull-out on the left just past the second trail crossing. The first trail crossing is the Elbow Valley Trail. |
| Length/Height |
4.5 km one way, plus 2 km on the Elbow Valley Trail if you park at Station Flats.
215 m/705 ft elevation gain/loss3 – 4 hrs |
| Trail |
Elbow Valley
|
| Road Access |
Station Flats, Paddy’s Flat, Elbow River Boat Launch, Elbow Falls and Powderface Day Use Area |
| Length/Height |
10 km one way365 m/1200 ft elevation gain/loss |
| Trail |
Riverview
|
| Road Access |
Paddy’s Flat, 3/4 km east of Ing’s Mine trailhead (on Canyon Creek Rd.) on Elbow Valley Trail, Connect from Elbow Valley Trail to Paddy’s Flat |
| Length/Height |
4 km one way102 m/300 ft elevation gain/loss |
| Trail |
Moose Mountain
|
| Road Access |
Moose Mountain Road. Turn right 1 km past Paddy’s Flats |
| Length/Height |
14.6 km return470 m/1540 ft elevation gain/loss Summit 2437 m/7995 ft |
| Trail |
Beaver Flat Interpretive
|
| Road Access |
Beaver Lodge Interpretive parking (on left, just past Elbow Falls) or Beaver Flat Campground |
| Length/Height |
3 km returnno elevation gain/loss |
| Trail |
Elbow Falls Interpretive
|
| Road Access |
Elbow Falls Day Use Area |
| Length/Height |
1 km returnlittle elevation gain/loss |
| Trail |
Fullerton Loop
This trail starts about 1.5 km along the Elbow Trail. A short way along the loop trail is a Y junction. Taking the trail to the right leads to a long gradual ascent through the forest to the half-way point of the loop where you can view Moose Mountain and the group of mountains surrounding Banded Peak. The return trip skirts the edge of a steep hillside overlooking the Ranger Station and the Elbow Valley. |
| Road Access |
1.2 km north on Elbow Trail from the Allen Bill Pond Parking (east end) or on the north side of Hwy 66 near the Ranger Station. Trail begins near the Ranger Station. |
| Length/Height |
7 km return213 m/692 ft elevation gain/loss
1.5 – 2.5 hrs |
| Trail |
Little Elbow Interpretive
|
| Road Access |
Forgetmenot Pond Day Use Area or Little Elbow Parking |
| Length/Height |
5 km return
no elevation gain/loss |
| Trail |
McLean Creek Interpretive
|
| Road Access |
MacLean Creek Parking |
| Length/Height |
1.2 km return
no elevation gain/loss |
| Trail |
Nihahi Ridge
|
| Road Access |
Forgetmenot Pond Day Use Area or Little Elbow Parking. 2 km west of campground on Little Elbow Trail |
| Length/Height |
5 km return
390m/1280 ft elevation gain/loss
3 – 4 hrs |
| Trail |
Paddy’s Flat Interpretive
|
| Road Access |
Paddy’s Flat Campground |
| Length/Height |
2.2 km return
no elevation gain/loss |
| Trail |
Tombstone Lakes
|
| Road Access |
19 km south on Big Elbow Trail from Little Elbow Parking |
| Length/Height |
3 km one way
180 m/590 ft elevation gain/loss |
| Trail |
Big Elbow
|
| Road Access |
Little Elbow Parking |
| Length/Height |
21 km one way (part of the 44 km Elbow Loop)
350 m/1150 ft elevation gain/loss |
| Trail |
Little Elbow
|
| Road Access |
Little Elbow Parking |
| Length/Height |
23 km one way (part of the 44 km Elbow Loop)
400 m/1310 ft elevation gain/loss |
| Trail |
Ford Creek
|
| Road Access |
Little Elbow Parking |
| Length/Height |
18 km one way
590m/1935 ft elevation gain/loss |
| Trail |
Ford Knoll
|
| Road Access |
Forgetmenot Pond Day Use Area |
| Length/Height |
4 km return
235 m/770 ft elevation gain/loss
1.5 – 2 hrs |
| Trail |
Nihahi Creek
|
| Road Access |
4 km west of Little Elbow Campground on Little Elbow Trail |
| Length/Height |
4.8 km return
240 m/790 ft elevation gain/loss
3 – 4 hrs |
| Trail |
Powderface Creek
|
| Road Access |
Poderface Parking |
| Length/Height |
6.2 km one way
510 m/1673 ft elevation gain/loss |
| Trail |
Powderface Ridge
|
| Road Access |
End of Hwy 66 at the dirt road or 7 km north on that road at the 3-trail pass. |
| Length/Height |
7 km one way
640 m/2100 ft elevation gain/loss |
| Trail |
Prairie Creek
|
| Length/Height |
9.2 km one way
180 m/590 ft elevation gain/loss |
| Trail |
Prairie Link
|
| Length/Height |
3 km one way
85 m/280 ft elevation gain/loss |
| Trail |
Prairie Mountain |
| Length/Height |
3.8 km one way
716 m/2350 ft elevation gain/loss Summit 2210 m/7250 ft |
| Trail |
Threepoint Mountain
|
| Length/Height |
10 km one way
460 m/1510 ft elevation gain/loss |
| Trail |
Tom Snow
|
| Length/Height |
30 km one way
210 m/700 ft elevation gain/loss |
| Trail |
Trail Creek
|
| Length/Height |
2.5 km one way
275 m/900 ft elevation gain/loss |
| Trail |
Wildhorse
|
| Length/Height |
16 km one way
357 m/1170 ft elevation gain/loss |
West Bragg Creek Trails
The trails below are the original West Bragg Creek cross country ski trails. A new set of trails were opened to the public in 2013 – 2014 by the
Greater Bragg Creek Trails Association. They more than double the length of trails available in West Bragg Creek and they were designed for all-season use. They are very popular with cyclists as they have banked corners and good drainage. They include the trails Boundary Ridge, Ranger Summit, Merlin, Braggin’ Rights and many more. You can find an interactive
locator map that includes these trail here.
| Trail |
Hostel Loop Trail
See a video |
| Road Access |
All West Bragg Creek Trails are accessible from the parking lot at the end of the West Bragg Creek road about 10 km west of the hamlet. |
| Length/Height |
3.8 km loop located a few hundred metres north of the parking lot.
45 m/148 ft elevation gain/loss
High point 1509 m/4950 ft hrs |
| Trail |
Elbow Trail |
| Road Access |
Take Hwy 22 to Bragg Creek. Drive down Balsam Ave. and cross the bridge over the Elbow River. Turn left and drive to the end. |
| Length/Height |
6.9 km one way (includes part of Sun Dog)
120 m/413 ft elevation gain/loss
High point 1550 m/5085 ft |
| Trail |
Iron Springs |
| Length/Height |
4.6 km, 7.4 km from Allen Bill to West Bragg
120 m/394 ft elevation gain/loss
High point 1550 m/5085 ft |
| Trail |
Telephone Loop |
| Length/Height |
16.5 km return
230 m/754 ft elevation gain/loss |
| Trail |
Sundog Loop |
| Length/Height |
4.7 km return |
| Trail |
Moose Loop
See a video |
| Length/Height |
5.5 km return plus 5.5 km return to the loop
60 m/197 ft elevation gain/loss
High point 1490 m/4888 fts |
| Trail |
Crystal Line |
| Length/Height |
3.4 km one way, 6.7 km loop including part of Sun Dog |
| Trail |
Upper Bragg Creek |
| Length/Height |
5 km one way to watershed meadow from Moose Loop
61 m/200 ft elevation gain/loss
High point 1743 m/5718 ft |
Some of the new trails you can ride
Moose Mountain Area Trails
Ridgeback, 8.9 km
Moosepackers, 2.8 km
Pneuma, 10.3 km
Special K, 8 km
T-Dub, 2.3 km
Race of Spades, 5.8 km
Toothless, 1.8 km
Hot Laps, 1.6 km
Shaft, 3.3 km
Brakeless, 1.7 km
Billy Dog, 1.4 km
SLF, 1.4 km
Jean-Guy on the Rocks, 2.2 km
Family Guy, 4.8 km
West Bragg Creek Trails
Braggin’ Rights, 3.6 km
Long Distance, 8.5 km
Demi-Tel, 1.6 km
Reconnect, 1.6 km
Ranger Summit, 4.2 km
Strange Brew, 4.2 km
Boundary Ridge, 5 km
Snagamore, 5 km
Bobcat, 4.1 km
Loggers Loop, 1.9 km
That should give you an idea why you should buy the map.
Bragg Creek Provincial Park
| Trail |
Alder Trail
A short pleasant stroll through a forest of lodgepole pine and white spruce trees. |
| Road Access |
Parking area just past and opposite the park entrance on Highway 758 about a kilometre past the Hamlet of Bragg Creek |
| Length/Height |
1.5 km loop has interpretive displays. There is a trail that crosses the highway and links to the park day use area. |
