It passes through the entire stretch of Kananaskis Country, crosses Highwood Pass, and heads to Highwood Junction, where the road turns into Highway 541. But we did see some nice young big horn sheep lambs with their respective moms. Elbow Falls. We saw a black bear (I wasn't able. There are excellent trails on each side of the highway, but even if you just park the car and look around, the views are out of this. Some ride from gate to gate and back for maximum length (108 km). The weather threw some winds at us, but they seemed to be swirling through the valley, and not too bothersome. It is one of the most varied and picturesque drives in the country. We did the drive a couple weeks ago for the first time and was so happy we did. The previous day, it had poured rain in Canmore (overdue), leaving snow in the higher elevations. Beyond the tarn watch for a cairn marking a fork to the left, towards Grizzly col. (The right fork heads to Pocaterra Ridge). Ride to Highwood Pass is a 47.2 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Kananaskis Improvement, Alberta, Canada that offers scenic views and is rated as difficult. It takes about an hour from Grandview Chalet's B&B in Canmore to the start. The Highway 40 Loop begins on the Trans Canada Highway near Bow Valley Provincial Park. Do watch out for them on your drive. This drive was recommended by a friend and it did not disappoint. It passes through the entire stretch of Kananaskis Country, crosses Highwood Pass, and heads to Highwood Junction, where the road turns into Highway 541. The road is 54 km (33.6-mi) long from the north gate at King Creek to the south gate at Highwood Junction. One of the best places to experience this is Pocaterra Ridge, locate... Start at the Pocaterra/Highwood pass parking lot. The pass is closed each year from December to June 15 to protect wildlife. The Highwood Pass via Peter Lougheed Park Gate is ranked number 8 of the Rocky Mountain Foothills. adventures and follow local regulations. It’s said to be the highest paved road in the country. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Have you done this adventure? Take Hwy. It continues on to Longview and Highway 20, the "Cowboy Trail," where you can get back to Calgary via a variety of routes. Closed to cars December 1 to June 15 every year, but stunning when it's open, It's the highest paved road in Canada, and it brings you pretty close to the treeline without having to get out of your car. Elevation 1,633 m. Ride Type Road. Damn, this is a good one.Park at the Highwood Pass parking lot, and start off on the Ptarmigan Cirque Trail. We want your experiences too! It’s said to be the highest paved road in the country. There were hundreds of riders on this Sunday, but all spread out on a smooth swept highway in a happy mood. Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Alberta–British Columbia foothills forests, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Highwood_Pass&oldid=872418160, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 7 December 2018, at 04:41. Ptarmigan Cirque is a great beginner hike in Highwood Pass. The start of the road up to Highwood Pass The best way to do the bike ride up Highwood Pass. Fore... During the fall I find the biggest treat is the changing of the larch trees and the beautiful contrast they provide against the landscape with their intense golden yellow colors. People milled about at the top, getting trophy pictures of the sign highlighting the achievement, and then descending in either direction at various speeds depending on the necessary amount required to give you a big rush! Stopped to have our picnic lunch in Kananaskis Country. Periodically flooded roads around the world, Privacy Policy | Advertise page | Terms and conditions of use | Cookie Policy | About us | Contact, Firehole Lake Drive, a scenic road through a thermal area, The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Lake Crescent Highway, Red Grade Road: a beautiful drive with lots of wildlife in Wyoming, Driving the wild Los Pinos Pass in Colorado, Abra de Zamora: enjoy a road among the clouds, How to Get a Car Ready for a Long Road Trip, The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Crescent Meadow Road, Rifugio Cornisello: this road is not for timid drivers. 40 approximately 50 km's from Hwy. Distance 110.4 km. Follow this trail up the valley and then up the scree slope to the col between Mount Tyrwhitt and Grizzly Ridge. It's an incredible drive. Not too hard to hit 80+kph if you're in the mood. Its nearest higher peak is Elpoca Mountain, 2.0 km (1.2 mi) to the east. Do you know any spectacular road?Click here to send us all the info, and we'll publish it! Traveled through the Highwood Pass with guests (family) from Regina, SK. Is the Highwood Pass paved? The length of the closed area is some 54 km, with the big pass closer to the north end. - Out-and-Back Trail. It continues on to Longview and Highway 20, the "Cowboy Trail," where you can get back to Calgary via a variety of routes. Strava Curated Route. This is an amazing ridge walk with impressive views in all directions. The drive rewards the drivers with one of the most varied and picturesque drives of the country. The trail is primarily used for nature trips and road biking and is best used from April until September. 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Elevation. more, Continue your visit to www.tripadvisor.ca, Commonly searched for in Kananaskis Country, Is this a place or activity you would suggest for, Are the prices for this place or activity, Is this attraction a good place to visit on a, Is this a must-do if you are travelling with a, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Day Trip through the Highwood Pass in Alberta, Departing from Calgary, our day began with breakfast in Turner Valley at the Red Barn. ... Elevation: 2550 metres (8366 feet) OpenStreetMap ID: node 1339315277; GeoNames ID: 5975091; Let's improve OpenStreetMap together. Distance 157.6 km. The road is closed from Dec 1 through June 15 each year for the migration of wildlife. It continues on to Longview and Highway 20, the "Cowboy Trail," where you can get back to Calgary via a variety of routes. Park at the parking lot at Highwood Pass, and follow the interpretive trail to a small trail that branches to the left along the meadow and then meanders up through trees. See other rides. It lies west of Mount Rae and Mount Arethusa of the Misty Range, south of the Elbow Pass. – 2,206 m highest elevation When we arrived at the gate, there were already plenty of cars parking along the road and cyclists preparing for the ride. ... Elevation gain 515m, loss 50m. 1840.6 ft gain Copyright 2015. Rate this Adventure A quiet retreat in a the fabulous Canadian Rockies playground! Highwood Pass is a mountain pass in Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada.It lies west of Mount Rae and Mount Arethusa of the Misty Range, south of the Elbow Pass.Highwood Pass is the highest paved pass … For those who hike, there are a number of excellent trails that start at the paved. You will find the trail head at the Highwood Pass Day Use Area. Highwood Pass, on Alberta highway 40 is located deep in Kananaskis Country about 60 minutes south of the TransCanada Highway. Highwood Pass, 40 Highway, Kananaskis Improvement District, Alberta, Canada (50.59623 -114.98450), Coordinates: 48.99667 -120.00138 60.00042 -110.00476 - Minimum elevation: 0 m - Maximum elevation: 3,425 m - Average elevation: 773 m, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (51.05342 -114.06259), Coordinates: 50.84253 -114.31576 51.21250 -113.86000 - Minimum elevation: 961 m - Maximum elevation: 1,459 m - Average elevation: 1,121 m, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (53.53541 -113.50800), Coordinates: 53.33726 -113.71384 53.71626 -113.27148 - Minimum elevation: 603 m - Maximum elevation: 790 m - Average elevation: 690 m, Grande Prairie, City of Grande Prairie, Alberta, T8V 2X3, Canada (55.17099 -118.79489), Coordinates: 55.01099 -118.95489 55.33099 -118.63489 - Minimum elevation: 510 m - Maximum elevation: 823 m - Average elevation: 673 m, Clearwater County, Alberta, Canada (52.31604 -115.62662), Coordinates: 51.61921 -117.08939 53.07005 -114.43004 - Minimum elevation: 782 m - Maximum elevation: 3,462 m - Average elevation: 1,493 m, Red Deer, Alberta, T4N 4H5, Canada (52.26984 -113.81836), Coordinates: 52.10984 -113.97836 52.42984 -113.65836 - Minimum elevation: 821 m - Maximum elevation: 1,058 m - Average elevation: 917 m, Sundre, Town of Sundre, Alberta, T0M 1X0, Canada (51.79713 -114.63941), Coordinates: 51.75713 -114.67941 51.83713 -114.59941 - Minimum elevation: 1,061 m - Maximum elevation: 1,207 m - Average elevation: 1,130 m, Canmore (town), Alberta, T1W 3M6, Canada (51.05648 -115.33780), Coordinates: 50.41648 -115.97780 51.69648 -114.69780 - Minimum elevation: 800 m - Maximum elevation: 3,504 m - Average elevation: 1,702 m, Heritage Valley Area, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (53.41833 -113.55256), Coordinates: 53.39573 -113.60873 53.43342 -113.49232 - Minimum elevation: 620 m - Maximum elevation: 722 m - Average elevation: 688 m, North Saskatchewan River, County of Two Hills, Alberta, T5N 1J9, Canada (53.78685 -111.66245), Coordinates: 51.95777 -117.08467 54.06362 -105.08207 - Minimum elevation: 46 m - Maximum elevation: 3,865 m - Average elevation: 765 m, Lethbridge, City of Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J 4L3, Canada (49.69429 -112.85156), Coordinates: 49.53429 -113.01156 49.85429 -112.69156 - Minimum elevation: 778 m - Maximum elevation: 1,159 m - Average elevation: 929 m, County of Minburn, Alberta, Canada (53.43169 -111.66194), Coordinates: 53.07401 -112.26354 53.65793 -111.02887 - Minimum elevation: 554 m - Maximum elevation: 747 m - Average elevation: 666 m, Banff, Alberta, T1L 1A6, Canada (51.17778 -115.56825), Coordinates: 51.13778 -115.60825 51.21778 -115.52825 - Minimum elevation: 1,342 m - Maximum elevation: 2,989 m - Average elevation: 1,727 m, Chestermere, Alberta, T1X 1V3, Canada (51.04485 -113.82111), Coordinates: 50.88485 -113.98111 51.20485 -113.66111 - Minimum elevation: 923 m - Maximum elevation: 1,262 m - Average elevation: 1,035 m, Airdrie, Alberta, T4B 3C3, Canada (51.28597 -114.01062), Coordinates: 51.12597 -114.17062 51.44597 -113.85062 - Minimum elevation: 931 m - Maximum elevation: 1,331 m - Average elevation: 1,096 m, Okotoks, Town of Okotoks, Alberta, T1S 2N7, Canada (50.72537 -113.97508), Coordinates: 50.68537 -114.01508 50.76537 -113.93508 - Minimum elevation: 1,022 m - Maximum elevation: 1,228 m - Average elevation: 1,102 m, Cochrane, Town of Cochrane, Alberta, T4V 2A7, Canada (51.18746 -114.47107), Coordinates: 51.14746 -114.51107 51.22746 -114.43107 - Minimum elevation: 1,101 m - Maximum elevation: 1,349 m - Average elevation: 1,221 m, Village of Longview, Alberta, T0L 1H0, Canada (50.53300 -114.23078), Coordinates: 50.52309 -114.24262 50.53712 -114.22526 - Minimum elevation: 1,165 m - Maximum elevation: 1,417 m - Average elevation: 1,257 m, Red Deer River, Special Area No.