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Trail Riding in Kananaskis
Photo: Travel Alberta |
Kananaskis Valley
Trail History
Turn west in Cochrane to head into the Rocky Mountains and follow a trail that was used by hunter-gatherers 11,000 years ago. Over the centuries, various tribes occupied the valley, each successive wave pushing out the former inhabitants to establish their own hold over the territory. Eventually the Kootenay were pushed out by the warring Peigan who were succeeded by the more peaceful Assiniboine or Stoneys.
By the 1800s, the Stoneys dominated the region. They regarded the mountains as sacred. In 1977, Stoney Chief John Snow was quoted as saying, “These mountains are our sacred temples, our sanctuaries, and our resting places. They are the place of hope, a place of vision, a place of refuge, a very special place where the Great Spirit speaks with us. Therefore these mountains are our sacred places.”
It’s not hard to understand why these mountains were sacred to the Natives who were the first to survive and thrive in the harsh mountain environment. Many visitors to Canada’s first national park probably feel the same way – as they travel west to seek refuge in a very special place.
In your quest to reach Banff, don’t overlook a detour down Highway 40 into the Kananaskis valley. The first known explorer was James Sinclair guided by Cree chief, Mackipictoon, who was searching for a new route through the Rockies in 1854. After an extremely difficult journey, Sinclair’s notes suggest that the route was too difficult.
Three years later, John Palliser led a government survey to map the west and named the river, two lakes and mountain pass after a local “Indian… who had a most wonderful recovery from the blow of an axe” Kananaskis. Translated it means “meeting of the waters”. George Pocaterra was an Italian aristocratic entrepreneur closely associated with the Kananaskis, starting the first dude ranch along the Highwood, trapping up in the headwaters and prospecting for minerals before marrying an opera singer and settling in the Ghost river.
Around the Valley
Expect to be overwhelmed by the rugged mountain scenery and the pristine wilderness literally at your doorstep. Here you can experience backcountry solitude for an hour or for a week. You can even book your own private rodeo. And there’s certainly no need to rough it. Mountain cowboys (and cowgirls, too) can find anything from authentic Sioux-design tipis at Sundance Lodges to log cabins to Jacuzzi suites at the trail’s end.
Take in a trail ride for an hour or a full day on the most scenic trails in the Canadian Rockies with Boundary Ranch which offer one of the most memorable vacations you will ever experience.
There are over 450 km of trails in the Kananaskis valley that offer a variety of experiences from barrier-free trails to alpine ridge walks. For the more daring there are a number of rock climbing areas and mountain climbing routes. Bike trails provide almost endless challenges for novices and expert riders.
Fisherman can choose casting a line into high alpine lakes, pure mountain streams or the larger valley lakes. Below Barrier Dam, the Kananaskis River is a whitewater playground with crystal water and exciting rapids that entertain kayakers and brings smiles and screams from rafters.
The legendary 36 hole Kananaskis Country golf course, the 1988 Olympic ski course - Nakiska Ski Resort, well appointed Mount Kidd RV Park and the luxurious Kananaskis Village hotels round out the amenities offered in this enchanting place.
Side Trips
From the Kananaskis Valley travelers can loop south to Longview over Highwood Pass, Canada’s highest mountain highway. This is an extraordinary example of geological processes with thrusts and faults that show the forces that created the Rockies.
Travellers can also take the back route into Canmore on the gravel Spray Lakes road. This exciting route exits the Spray valley directly above the townsite before plunging through a mountain gap into the valley.
Look for our Partner Logo at all participating venues in Kananaskis.
- Boundary Ranch
Trail rides, Surf & Saddle packages, restaurant/lounge, gift shop & lots more... Located in Kananaskis.
- Sundance Lodges Tipis, Trapper’s Tents, Campsites
Authentic tipis, comfortable trapper’s tents, secluded campsites. Giftshop. Outdoor activities nearby. Located in the Rocky Mountains of Kananaskis Country.
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