Best Dog Friendly Hikes Kananaskis – Looking for a challenging and rewarding hike in Kananaskis Country? The Lock Ridge hike offers beautiful views of Upper and Lower Kananaskis lakes, but not before a steep climb. In good weather (not winter), hike through the woods and past Rawson Lake before climbing to Lock Ridge. Don’t miss this beautiful spot in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park!
In October 2021, before the snow arrived, I planned a day trip from Calgary to Kananaskis to finally experience the Sarrail Ridge hike. Of course, I was very happy to finally cross this beautiful hike off my bucket list. If you’re planning a trip, visit between June and October to avoid the high risk of avalanches at Rawson Lake and Sarrail Ridge. Do not attempt the Sarrail Ridge hike in winter.
Best Dog Friendly Hikes Kananaskis
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Features: The Lock Ridge Trail begins at Upper Kananaskis Lake before leaving the Rawson Lake Trail Forest. Casual hikers will find the Rawson Lake Trail easy to moderate, while others may find it more challenging. After crossing Rawson Lake, there’s a steep climb up to Sarrail Ridge before enjoying panoramic views of Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes, Mount Indefatigable and the Rocky Mountain landscape.
If you are driving from Calgary, take the Trans Canada Highway and exit 118 to Kananaskis Country. Follow Highway 40 (Kananaskis Trail) for about 50 km to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and turn right onto the Kananaskis Lakes Trail. Head to the Upper Kananaskis Lake Day Use Area for parking and access to Sarrail Ridge. In summer, arrive early to find parking in popular areas.
Are you ready for the climb? The Lock Ridge Trail begins at the shore of Upper Kananaskis Lake, where many visitors enjoy the family-friendly Upper Kananaskis Lake Trail with its turquoise waters and mountain peaks. I left the parking lot and walked along the south shore of Upper Kananaskis Lake, admiring the fall views and embracing the cool weather. After 20 minutes, cross the Sarrail Creek Bridge before reaching the junction for Rawson Lake, signposted to follow. Turn left and drive approximately 1.7 miles through subalpine forest to Rawson Lake.
Rawson Lake is a worthwhile day trip in itself. When you reach the lake, take a minute to admire the scenic landscape before turning left at the lake. Follow the road gently along the southern edge to the highest point before turning right (north). Here I can see Lock Ridge first. This unofficial route climbs more than 350 meters in one kilometer; trekking poles are required. But don’t worry, it’s worth it!
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After a lot of huffing and puffing, Bella and I were treated to great views from the kolle. Continue along the river to see Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes. It is difficult to climb to the last peak on the east side of the ridge (we did not do this). In total, prepare for 4 to 5.5 hours to complete this 11.5 km round-trip adventure.
When hiking Lock Ridge, especially when hiking with kids. There are steep and dangerous ledges without protective screens or fences. Also, I don’t recommend hiking Sarrail Ridge in winter because of the avalanche danger.
Lock Ridge is a difficult hike that requires preparation. Before you leave, make sure you pack essentials for the day, such as water (I use a two-gallon tank), snacks (such as energy chews or granola bars), and a first aid kit. When traveling in Kananaskis, be prepared for the weather to change on a dime. Pack a warm jacket and waterproofs even if there is no rain in the forecast.
I recommend wearing hiking boots for this rugged trail and I wouldn’t do this without trekking poles. Make sure you remember 10 important things before you go. If you’re new to hiking, you might want to consider easier options like Prairie Mountain or Tunnel Mountain, before Lock Ridge.
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Park Pass: Don’t forget the Kananaskis Conservation Pass before starting your hike ($15 per day or $90 per season). You can shop at Kananaskis Country visitor centers or online for added convenience.
Parking: Visitors may park at the Upper Kananaskis Lake Day Use Area. No additional parking required.
Pets: Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash. Be sure to pick up after your pet and consider bringing an odor-free bag.
Navigation: You should have no problem finding your way around. Take Gem Trek to use the Kananaskis Lakes map. You can download the Lock Ridge from AllTrails for offline use.
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Wildlife: Kananaskis country is home to a variety of wildlife, including bears. When hiking in bear country, practice bear safety and carry bear spray in a bag for easy access. Don’t eat or approach wild animals – help save wildlife!
If you’re looking for more Kananaskis hikes, you might want to add some of these to your wish list:
Are you ready to finish your Lock Ridge hike in Kananaskis? Have you visited recently? Let me know in the comments
Thomas Coldwell has always loved the outdoors. He loves to hike, paddle, and camp, and he loves creating outdoor adventures for people just like you. Originally from Nova Scotia, Thomas has lived in four Canadian provinces (NS, NB, ON, AB) and has traveled to 20 countries and is an outdoor entertainer. together Wagging your dog’s tail while walking down the street is a dopamine boost. But there are days when you start getting ready, and your heart sinks when you see their eyes droop and their tails drop, because they know full well that you’re going on an adventure without them. It hurts so much to leave the house!
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Fortunately, most of Alberta allows your furry friends to accompany you on hikes and excursions, but some areas prohibit dogs for animal control and safety reasons. You take a trip to bear country.
This guide will highlight some of the best dog-friendly hikes in Alberta, and also share tips to consider before exploring the mountains. For example, some trails may allow your puppy, but the conditions may not be the safest.
If you’re looking for the best hikes in Alberta with your dog, you’ll find that most trails allow dogs to join you. So perhaps the best way to approach this article is to see if dogs are allowed. I have searched for this many times as a dog owner. Last summer I quickly learned that the three hikes I planned to do in Jasper National Park did not allow dogs, forcing us to change our route to another (all beautiful) one. So let’s start with Jasper National Park.
Jasper National Park allows dogs on some trails because they want to keep them out of endangered caribou habitat, and for good reason. Unfortunately, that means crossing one of Alberta’s most beautiful hiking trails off your to-do list: Cavell Meadows. The other two hikes are the Bald Hills Hike and the Opal Hills Hike. And we regret linking these trips in the article… because we know you can’t do them…
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But! Yes, there is, but you can explore the beautiful views and walk around the blue lagoon with your dog. Some of Jasper’s favorite walks with my dog include:
Then there are the incredible views and stops on the Icefields Parkway where you can bring your dog: we went on the Bow Glacier Falls Hike and the Peyto Lake Hike, to name two.
Although some roads allow dogs, they may not be the safest. Therefore, when looking at the directions, consider whether the path has chains, sections and rapid streams. Of course, you can carry small dogs in a backpack when walking on a leash, chain and leash, but we recommend that you pay attention to the points above.
Some walks allow dogs, but it may not be the best for them. Since getting a dog, the two that I have sadly avoided are the Tent Ridge Horseshoe and the Canyon Creek Ice Caves Hike. You can try these, but it might not be the best experience for you and your baby. And we all want our puppies to be happy, right?
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Now for the best part of the article: the list of amazing hikes you can explore with your dog! I walk down here with my puppy. Note that this is just a snapshot of methods not to be tested:
Again, many trails allow for the safety of your dog, but this can be a good starting point if you have only one dog and want to immerse yourself in Alberta.
