Hiking Tent Ridge – One of the Most Scenic Trails in the Canadian Rockies

An Early Start

We arrived at the trailhead shortly after sunrise. Kananaskis Country lies just under an hour from Canmore, and about the same from Calgary. The final stretch to the Tent Ridge Horseshoe trailhead is along the gravel Smith-Dorrien Trail, a rough drive through dense forest and past quiet lakes – a prelude to the wilderness that defines this region.

I've had this hike on my list for a while – after several visits to the Canadian Rockies and countless smaller climbs this challenge felt long overdue. It was early September – cool enough for a light jacket in the morning. A haze from distant wildfires was hanging in the air, softening the surrounding scenery. Our goal was to reach the summit, or at least get above the treeline, by midday – to take advantage of the soft morning light and cooler air.

Into the Forest

The first few kilometers were a steady uphill through dense spruce forest. The grade was manageable but constant – a warm-up for what lay ahead. This was bear country, home to one of the highest concentrations of grizzlies in Canada, and that fact was never far from mind. Just before starting, we'd heard a deep growl from the trees across the road. A little uneasy, we set off into the unknown at a brisk pace, keeping up conversation as we made it through the shaded forest trail, our bear spray within reach. It was quiet, the ground carpeted in moss and pine needles, the air cool and heavy with the scent of resin and damp earth. Every now and then a critter darted across the path or a bird burst out of the undergrowth as we approached. Despite the calm, there was a charged sense of anticipation – the real excitement lay ahead, waiting beyond the trees.

We were following the loop clockwise – the recommended direction for both safety and scenery, as the steeper scrambles are more forgiving on the way up than down.

The Climb Begins

A few kilometres in, we emerged from the forest into a wide meadow. Remnants of summer flowers still dotted the grassy plains. I scanned the open slopes for any sign of wildlife, but the air was still, almost unnervingly so. We continued on – the real climb was about to begin. As we approached the base of the rocky ridge, the terrain shifted from soft earth and tree roots to rock and loose scree. Soon enough, we had our hands on the rock as we scrambled up. Some sections were exposed, demanding focus and steady footing, but the rock was generally reliable once you committed to it. A crosswind was blowing as we gained elevation. I found myself leaning into the mountain, searching for footholds while keeping both hands anchored to the rock. It was a little intimidating – definitely one of the more technical stretches of the hike. When we finally reached the ridge, we turned to look back.

Take a piece of the Rockies home – view prints here

Below lay the forest we’d crossed, stretching into a hazy valley framed by distant peaks. The sense of elevation and scale was exhilarating. We could have lingered here longer, taking it all in, but the morning was slipping away and much of the route still lay ahead. After a short break, we pushed on along the ridge.

Walking the Ridge

Well above the treeline now, the world widened. The trail traced a narrow ridgeline, climbing steadily until we reached the weather station – a known marker on this route and a welcome rest point. From there, the ridge bent right and dipped, forcing us to give back some of that hard-earned elevation before the final climb to the true summit.

After descending a slippery gravel slope, the ridge widened into a level clearing between the two high points, giving us some space on otherwise exposed terrain. We paused here, taking in the sweeping alpine views. Though the wildfire haze muted the distant mountains and lakes below, the immediate scenery was clear and dramatic – jagged peaks rising in every direction. Standing there, I felt small amid the vastness of the Rockies.

The Summit

A long steady climb led us toward the summit. The air was warmer now, and fatigue was beginning to set in, but the final push up the narrow rocky ridge rewarded us instantly. We had completed the climb from roughly 1,800 to over 2,500 metres (8,200 feet). Alpine meadows and larch forests were now far below, and the surrounding mountain panorama was immense – ridges folding into one another and distant valleys softened by haze. We sat for some time in the wind and quiet, letting the scale of it all sink in.

But the true highlight still lay ahead. After recharging with a meal, we began descending toward Tent Ridge’s main viewpoint – one of the most thrilling stretches of the Horseshoe. The ridge narrowed again as it dropped sharply, demanding slow, careful steps as it was steep and exposed on both sides. As we descended, the grandeur of the Canadian Rockies unfolded in front of us. Ahead, the Spray Lakes Reservoir glimmered pale blue through the haze, and beyond it the Kananaskis peaks stretched across the horizon. It was easy to see why Tent Ridge is considered one of the most rewarding hikes in the Rockies.

Clear Day on Tent Ridge

I took the photo below from the same spot a few days later, when the smoke finally cleared. We returned to Tent Ridge – this time taking the shorter counter-clockwise route directly to this high ridge lookout. The roundtrip was about seven kilometres, and we reached the viewpoint in under an hour and a half. The air was crisp and unusually calm, and we had the place entirely to ourselves – a rare experience on this popular ridge.

Take this landscape home – view prints here

The vast forest below looked still and dark, and it was easy to imagine wildlife moving through it unseen. The soft evening light gave the sprawling mountain scenery an ethereal glow. Without haze, the views were staggering.

The Way Down

The initial descent was a steep section over loose rock – part scree, part dirt. Just as I gained confidence and picked up the pace, I slipped and took a tumble, getting away with a bruise and a few light scratches. Once the ridge was behind us, the trail re-entered the forest, gradually levelling out as we lost elevation. Large roots across remnants of an old logging road marked the way. We reached the car by mid-afternoon – after about six hours total, including stops for photos and lunch.

By the time we stepped out onto the gravel road, the sun was beginning to set. Warm light lit up the horizon, and the surrounding peaks flushed red. Before leaving, we paused to admire the glowing summit of the mountain we had looked toward earlier from 2,500 metres up. The forest around us was quiet and growing darker by the minute. We were the last car in the lot, and as we packed up, we were relieved to be out of bear country before nightfall.

It had been a full day, physically demanding but rewarding – the perfect challenge.

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