The best walks and hikes in Etherington Creek Provincial Recreation Area

The Holy Cross Mountain Route branches off from the upper section of the Gunnery Creek Trail in Don Getty Wildland Provincial Park. After following the creek valley for several kilometres, the route turns sharply uphill toward the base of Holy Cross Mountain. From there, it climbs through open meadows and loose scree to reach the northeast ridge. The final stretch is a steep scramble with some exposure, but the summit rewards you with panoramic views over the Highwood Range and the wild valleys of the park. It’s a challenging extension of the Gunnery Creek Trail, best tackled by experienced hikers with strong route-finding skills.

Holy Cross Mountain rises along the Highwood Range in Kananaskis Country, known for its steep slopes and commanding summit views. The mountain gets its name from a snow-filled gully that forms a cross shape in early summer, visible from the valley below. The climb is strenuous, with sections of scree and loose rock, but the route rewards hikers with sweeping views of the Highwood Valley, Mount Head, and the peaks of the Livingstone Range. It’s a classic Kananaskis summit—challenging, scenic, and best suited for experienced hikers or scramblers.

The Gunnery Creek Trail in Don Getty Wildland Provincial Park follows an old forestry road that gradually narrows into a rugged backcountry path. The route runs through dense forest alongside Gunnery Creek, eventually opening to alpine meadows framed by the Front Ranges. It’s lightly maintained and best suited to experienced hikers comfortable with route-finding and creek crossings. The trail offers a true wilderness feel, with few visitors, steady elevation gain, and wide mountain views near the upper valley.

Plateau Mountain Ecological Reserve protects one of Alberta’s most unique alpine environments, set atop a broad, flat-topped mountain in Kananaskis Country. The area is known for its tundra-like landscape, permafrost features, and rare plant species that thrive in the harsh, windswept conditions. Access is limited to designated routes to protect the fragile terrain, but guided hikes and research visits reveal striking views across the surrounding ranges and a rare glimpse of alpine ecology in its natural state.

The Mount Burke Trail is a steep, well-defined route that leads to the summit fire lookout in Kananaskis Country. It begins with a steady climb through forest before opening onto alpine slopes with views that expand the higher you go. The final stretch follows a rocky ridge to the historic Cameron Fire Lookout, where you're rewarded with sweeping views of the Livingstone Range and the Highwood Valley below.

Mount Burke in Kananaskis Country is a demanding but popular summit hike known for its restored fire lookout and sweeping 360-degree views. The trail climbs steadily through dense forest before breaking above the treeline, where switchbacks lead to the exposed ridge and final push to the summit. At the top, the old Cameron Fire Lookout offers a panoramic view over the Livingstone Range and Highwood Valley—one of the most striking views in southern Alberta.