This season we have put a twist on one of our classic KO tours. How did we do that you ask?

Well, we made it even easier for you to get out and hike on the Highwood Pass. We have added a new member to the Kananaskis Outfitters team: Big Bertha!

Big Bertha is our brand new passenger van, so we can now shuttle adventurers from our shop in the Kananaskis Village, right up to the top of the Highwood Pass for their hike.

Let’s talk about the hike itself…

Ptarmigan Cirque is a longstanding local’s favourite hike. This interpretive hike takes about 2.5 hours. You start hiking at over 7000 feet above sea level, which makes accessing the Alpine region a breeze.

The hike begins with a steady climb through a beautiful forest of pine, spruce, fir and larches. Watch for flowers and mushrooms along the forest floor and take in the various breathtaking view points on the way up. The top of the trail drops you off at the base of a huge alpine cirque.

Cirque: A half-open steep-sided hollow at the head of a valley or on a mountainside, formed by glacial erosion.

This alpine meadow is the perfect habitat for many different animals, such as Rocky Mountain sheep and Pikas. 

As you hike through this wide, open meadow to the base of the cirque, your guide will chat with you about the special adaptations that make life at these high altitudes possible.

This hike is available from mid-June until later in the fall, weather dependent. Each season on the Highwood holds its own unique charm.

No matter when you choose to hike on the Highwood Pass, you will not be disappointed. This tour is suitable for children aged 8 and up.

Book yours today here.