Mount Haig Scramble
View PhotosMount Haig Scramble
Difficulty Rating:
Mount Haig is the highest peak in Castle Provincial Park, and you can’t go wrong scrambling to the top of the highest peak in any park let alone Castle Provincial Park! Add on a scenic and swimmable lake at its base, abundant huckleberries and salmonberries along the approach, and you’ve got an excellent outing on Mount Haig.
Getting there
From Calgary head to Castle Mountain Resort and head towards the southwest corner. You will find the trailhead sign for the north route to Haig Lake at the base of the ski slope.
About
When to do | June - September |
Backcountry Campsites | None |
Toilets | Trailhead |
Pets allowed | Yes - On Leash |
Scarmbling Rating | Grade 2 |
Exposure | Mild |
Family friendly | No |
Route Signage | None |
Crowd Levels | Moderate |
Route Type | Out and back |
Mount Haig
Elevation Graph
Weather
Route Description for Mount Haig
The scramble to Mount Haig is glorious, though don’t be surprised if you have the entire mountain to yourself, as the crowds don’t realize how great the Castle area is.
This is a challenging route, with some exposed scrambling and route finding. This is not a beginner route.
From the trailhead the initial ascent is quite steep, but after a few hundred meters turns to a gentle but steady climb towards Haig Lake. As you near Haig Lake, turn off the trail and angle towards the Haig-Gravenstafel col. This is quite steep terrain so be prepared for side-hilling
Near the col, above a set of crumbling cliff bands, there is a faint and intermittent trail that will take you to the col, although in many places some side-hilling is still required.
The cliff-bands will require careful (mostly simple) route-finding, and with the assistance of a few bits of trail, they are a scramble at the upper end of easy or lower end of moderate. The terrain is steep enough in spots that it feels quite exposed, which can be mentally daunting if you are not comfortable scrambling.
At the top of the cliff bands is a wonderful grassy plateau that gradually transitions to rock and scree as it steepens en-route to the summit of Mount Haig. The scree here can be quite loose, but there is a faint sheep trail to the summit that can be helpful.
The view from the summit is wonderful, although on windy days you won’t want to linger too long. Pick your way back down the col to the trail.
Insider Hints
A dip in the lake is a great way to end a hot day!
The scramble to Mount Haig is a challenging scramble and not suitable for those who don’t like exposure.
The Castle area is notoriously windy, so be prepared for increased winds once you’re in the alpine.
If you need a snack, the only nearby options are the T-Bar Pub at Castle Mountain Resort (open Friday to Sunday in summer) and the Beaver Mines General Store in Beaver Mines before heading home for the day.
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Rocco Ellysia 4 years ago
Exceptional trail. It was abundant with huckleberries and salmonberries. The wildlife was fantastic too. Bring binoculars for better viewing.
Joshua Zagreb 4 years ago
It was crazy beautiful. The trail was excellent and more gentle compared to others. I highly recommend this!
Haffy K. 4 years ago
You can’t go wrong hiking to the top of the highest peak in any park. This hike takes a lot out of you but rewards you with beautiful views when you reach the summit. There's also a magnificent and swimmable lake at its base.
Perry K. 4 years ago
There's quite steep terrain so be prepared for side-hilling. It features a wonderful grassy plateau that gradually transitions to rock and scree as it steepens en-route to the summit of Mount Haig. Swimming in the lake is a great way to relax.
kathkirz2 5 years ago
We left the kids at home for this one, and we're glad we did. The scramble is just a touch too much for them I think. So worth it for us, though! Had the place to ourselves and we even took a dip in the lake after.
Fredie L. 5 years ago
This hike is too much for a beginner. After climbing, we went to the T-Bar Pub at Castle Mountain Resort to have some snacks. Totally worth the climb.
Michael M. 5 years ago
This hike features a grassy plateau, beautiful lakes, and crumbling cliff bands. It's not suitable for newbies though.