Panorama from Grotto Mountain scramble in Kananaskis, the Canadian Rockies
Scenery of Grotto Mountain scramble in Kananaskis, the Canadian Rockies

Scrambles in Kananaskis Country

Region in Alberta, Canada
Kananaskis Country Scrambling Map

The best scrambles in the Kananaskis is a special list of incredible peaks and views of the rugged Canadian Rockies. These scrambles are for experienced scramblers, and require a head for heights. The best scrambles in the Kananaskis include scrambles along Highway 40, scrambles along the Smith-Dorrien and scrambles around Kananaskis Lakes.

THE TOP 10 SCRAMBLES AROUND KANANASKIS TRAIL, ALBERTA

  1. Mist Mountain (6.8mi, 4085ft, 5-8h): Scrambling Mist Mountain takes you up the largest peak in the immediate area, which is a sure-fire guarantee for an awesome summit view! Not only that, but the scramble route is a scenic and pleasant approach that can’t be beat.
  2. Mount Sparrowhawk (5.7mi, 4216ft, 5-7h): Scrambling up Mount Sparrowhawk is the perfect scramble for those new to scrambling or families with older children. It is not too technical, but provides an unbeatable view of the vast Spray Lakes reservoir.
  3. Mount Lougheed (8.1mi, 4478ft, 5-7h): Mount Lougheed, a peak so huge and prominent that it even has its own sign and small viewing area on the trans-Canada highway, offers one of the most scenic approaches and best summit panoramas in Kananaskis! The face visible from the highway, however, is not a scramble, so don’t be put off - an easy scramble route does exist on the other side.
  4. The Fortress (11.2mi, 3622ft, 7-10h): The Fortress is aptly named for its ominous appearance from Highway 40, however a scramble to the summit can be fairly easily achieved via two ascent routes. The scramble to the top of the Fortress is not only fun, but also provides a stunning view!
  5. Snow Peak (11.9mi, 2848ft, 6-9h): Scrambling Snow Peak brings you rising over scenic Burstall Pass. Snow Peak can be an easy or difficult scramble depending on the time of year, but since it straddles the continental divide there are spectacular views of massive peaks in BC.
  6. Smutwood Peak (11.1mi, 2566ft, 7-9h): Scrambling Smutwood Peak offers spectacular views of the two jagged mountains from which it derives its name: Mount Smuts and Birdwood. A lively mountain creek, waterfalls, and deep blue alpine lakes guarantee a wonderful scramble.
  7. Grotto Mountain (7.0mi, 4436ft, 7-10h): Scrambling up Grotto Mountain offers a commanding aerial view of Canmore and the Bow Valley. Often thought of as a quick scramble, the route is a bit more technical than meets the eye, making a scramble up Grotto Mountain really fun!
  8. Mount Howard (12.5mi, 3451ft, 7-10h): The views from the summit of Mount Howard are as spectacular as any, but it is the long and wonderfully scenic ridge walk to get there that sets it apart from others in the area.
  9. Mount James Walker (11.1mi, 3855ft, 6-9h): A scramble up Mount James Walker is an engaging adventure! Amazing summit views combine with a beautiful approach beside a lively creek, past multiple tarns, and up an isolated valley to make a Mount James Walker Scramble worthy of any bucket list!
  10. East End of Rundle Route (EEOR) (3.7mi, 2805ft, 5-6h): Scrambling the East End of Rundle or EEOR is a popular scramble close to Canmore. It is often under-estimated, and there are tricky sections on this for new scramblers. This scenic scramble has stunning views of the surrounding peaks from the summit.
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The best Scrambles in Kananaskis Country

Scenery of Mist Mountain scramble in Kananaskis, the Canadian Rockies

01. Mist Mountain
Difficulty

6.8mi 4,085ft 5-8h

Scrambling Mist Mountain takes you up the largest peak in the immediate area, which is… Read More

User Rating

9.6Overall Rating Technical Difficulty Physical Difficulty
Scenic view from Mt Sparrowhawk scramble in Kananaskis, the Canadian Rockies

02. Mount Sparrowhawk
Difficulty

5.7mi 4,216ft 5-7h

Scrambling up Mount Sparrowhawk is the perfect scramble for those new to scrambling or families… Read More

User Rating

9Overall Rating Technical Difficulty Physical Difficulty
Scenery from Mount Lougheed scramble in Kananaskis, the Canadian Rockies

03. Mount Lougheed
Difficulty

8.1mi 4,478ft 5-7h

Mount Lougheed, a peak so huge and prominent that it even has its own sign… Read More

User Rating

8.5Overall Rating Technical Difficulty Physical Difficulty
View of the Fortress scramble in Kananaskis, the Canadian Rockies

04. The Fortress
Difficulty

11.2mi 3,622ft 7-10h

The Fortress is aptly named for its ominous appearance from Highway 40, however a scramble… Read More

User Rating

9.5Overall Rating Technical Difficulty Physical Difficulty
Scenic views on Snow Peak scramble in Kananaskis, the Canadian Rockies

05. Snow Peak
Difficulty

11.9mi 2,848ft 6-9h

Scrambling Snow Peak brings you rising over scenic Burstall Pass. Snow Peak can be an… Read More

User Rating

9Overall Rating Technical Difficulty Physical Difficulty
Trail of Smutwood Peak scramble in Kananaskis, the Canadian Rockies

06. Smutwood Peak
Difficulty

11.1mi 2,566ft 7-9h

Scrambling Smutwood Peak offers spectacular views of the two jagged mountains from which it derives… Read More

User Rating

9Overall Rating Technical Difficulty Physical Difficulty
Scenery of Grotto Mountain scramble in Kananaskis, the Canadian Rockies

07. Grotto Mountain
Difficulty

7.0mi 4,436ft 7-10h

Scrambling up Grotto Mountain offers a commanding aerial view of Canmore and the Bow Valley.… Read More

User Rating

9Overall Rating Technical Difficulty Physical Difficulty
Scenic views from Mount Howard scramble in Kananaskis, the Canadian Rockies

08. Mount Howard
Difficulty

12.5mi 3,451ft 7-10h

The views from the summit of Mount Howard are as spectacular as any, but it… Read More

User Rating

9Overall Rating Technical Difficulty Physical Difficulty
Trail of James Walker scramble in Kananaskis, the Canadian Rockies

09. Mount James Walker
Difficulty

11.1mi 3,855ft 6-9h

A scramble up Mount James Walker is an engaging adventure! Amazing summit views combine with… Read More

User Rating

9Overall Rating Technical Difficulty Physical Difficulty
East End of Rundle Route (EEOR) scramble in Kananaskis, the Canadian Rockies

10. East End of Rundle Route (EEOR)
Difficulty

4.2mi 2,805ft 5-6h

Scrambling the East End of Rundle or EEOR is a popular scramble close to Canmore.… Read More

User Rating

7.5Overall Rating Technical Difficulty Physical Difficulty

Yes, there are more than 10

Kananaskis Country is so beautiful that we can not give you only 10 Scrambles. So here is a list of bonus Scrambles in Kananaskis Country that you should take a look at as well

Trail of Mount Indefatigable - South Peak scramble in Kananaskis, the Canadian Rockies

11. Mount Indefatigable - South Peak
Difficulty

4.4mi 3,094ft 5-7h

The scramble up the South Peak of Mount Indefatigable is a great scramble and the… Read More

User Rating

8.7Overall Rating Technical Difficulty Physical Difficulty

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