Located in the heart of Kananaskis Country in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, the Ptarmigan Cirque hike is one of my favourite hiking trails in the Canadian Rockies. This hike takes you through a variety of landscapes, starting in a steep incline through the forest, and then opening up into a stunning alpine meadow surrounded by beautiful mountains and Ptarmigan Cirque!
Ptarmigan Cirque is a great half day hike to do when visiting Banff National Park and the surrounding area. I hiked Ptarmigan Cirque in the summertime and it is one that cannot be missed!
In this article, you’ll find out everything you need to know about the Ptarmigan Cirque Hike, including the best time of year to hike, about the trail itself, and a little bit of information on the surrounding area of Kananaskis as well.
![two hikers against a huge mountain peak on the Ptarmigan Cirque hike](https://i0.wp.com/endlesswonder.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/ptarmigan-cirque-hike-3.jpg?resize=580%2C870&ssl=1)
It is important to know that Kananaskis is wild! You are responsible for your own safety. Bear sightings occur often in this area of the Canadian Rockies and it is important that you carry bear spray and are aware of animal safety/how to respect wildlife. Please remember to Leave No Trace while visiting the Canadian Rockies!
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Ptarmigan Cirque Hike At a Glance
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 3.8 km
Ptarmigan Cirque Elevation Gain: 258m
Location: Kananaskis, Alberta in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park – around 1.5 hour drive from Banff Town, 1 hour from Canmore, and 1.5 hours from Calgary.
Getting to the Trailhead: Type “Ptarmigan Cirque trail head” into your GPS to find your way to the trailhead. It will bring you to a small parking lot – the same lot as the Pocaterra Cirque hike, another popular hike near Banff. This is the Highwood Meadows Day Use area, which is only accessible by car!
Seasonal Closures: The road to Ptarmigan Cirque closes early December – mid June, depending on the weather.
Facilities at the Trailhead: Pit toilets, bear proof garbage cans
Permits required? Not to hike, but see below for Kananaskis Conservation Pass
Accessible by public transportation? No
Although permits are not required for this hike, a Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required to park in the area. There is limited cell service/data in Kananaskis, so be sure to buy your pass online and register your license plate before arriving in Kananaskis, or stop at a Kananaskis Visitor Center to buy.
Things to Know About the Ptarmigan Cirque Trail:
- There is no cell service in Kananaskis, meaning you’ll have to set your GPS before leaving service.
- There is no public transportation in the Kananaskis area, you will need a vehicle to access this hike.
- Visitors are required to purchase a Kananaskis Conservation Pass to park – you can purchase a day-use pass or year pass online (make sure to do this before leaving cell service!).
- Ptarmigan Cirque is an INCREDIBLY busy hike during the larch season (mid-end of September/early-mid October). The parking lot fills up very fast in the morning and throughout the day. You’re more likely to enjoy this busy hike in the evening during peak larch season.
- There are a lot of animals in the Kananaskis area – drive with care as they can unexpectedly emerge from forests or jump into the road. Also be sure to have bear spray while hiking. We saw a Grizzly near the trailhead when we were leaving the hike!
- Ptarmigan Cirque is an interpretive trail, meaning that Alberta Parks put together an information brochure about the trail. If you’re interested in learning more while hiking, make sure to download it or screenshot it to your phone in advance!
![Beautiful green alpine meadow in a mountain valley with some snow in the bottom right corner and little pine trees throughout the field](https://i0.wp.com/endlesswonder.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/ptarmigan-cirque-hike-4.jpg?resize=870%2C580&ssl=1)
Ptarmigan Cirque Trail Description
The Ptarmigan Cirque hike is a beautiful and moderately rated hike. The hike starts from the Pocaterra Ridge parking lot, which is located about 1.5 hours away from both Calgary and Banff, and a 1 hour drive from Canmore.
After parking, you’ll need to follow a small trail from the parking lot and cross Kananaskis Trail (Highway 40 that you drove in on) to get to the true base of the hike.
The trailhead is well marked; after crossing the road, the hike starts with a steady uphill climb through a forested area. Watch for a fork in the road as you hike up – about 1 km in. This is a little side trail that will take you out of the trees and to a pretty view of a meadow on a hill filled with wildflowers (during the summer months) and a pretty view of mountains in the distance.
Then, head back to the main trail to keep hiking. From here, the trail continues uphill for roughly another 1.5 km to the Ptarmigan Cirque and another stunning alpine meadow.
Once you arrive in the meadow the trail starts to flatten out, and you start to see Ptarmigan Cirque! The Ptarmigan Cirque is a glacially-carved amphitheater in the mountain. The Cirque is home to several small glaciers, as well as a small lake that is fed by meltwater from the glaciers.
![Ptarmigan Cirque with a male hiker walking towards it](https://i0.wp.com/endlesswonder.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/ptarmigan-cirque-hike-5.jpg?resize=870%2C580&ssl=1)
You’ll continue to hike a loop around the alpine meadow, with beautiful views the entire time. One part of the trail has you cross a really pretty creek with a small waterfall pouring down.
Loop around the meadow until you come to another crossing of the small creek (and another small waterfall!). From here, you’ll connect back to the main trail and continue down through the forest, exactly the way you came.
Once you’re in the meadow, I would recommend finding a spot to have a little snack or a picnic, because this is where the views are so pretty and serene!
Overall, the Ptarmigan Cirque hike is a beautiful and relatively easy hike that offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and is well worth a visit if you’re in the Kananaskis area!
What to Bring Hiking in Kananaskis Country
The Ptarmigan Cirque hike is located in a subalpine and alpine environment, so weather conditions can change quickly and dramatically. Hikers should be prepared for sudden changes in temperature, wind, and weather conditions, and should bring appropriate clothing and gear for the conditions.
A basic list of things to bring with you while hiking Ptarmigan Cirque includes:
- Enough water and snacks (or lunch).
- Camera and extra batteries.
- Dress for the weather – warm hat, gloves and a warm jacket in the wintertime, a thin jacket and a hat in summer. Check the weather for spring and fall, but be prepared for quick changing weather year-round. The sun is hot in the summer so pack sunscreen and bug spray as well.
- Sturdy shoes, whether it’s runners or hiking shoes/boots.
- Ziploc bag to pack out your garbage.
- Bear spray – you never know what you’ll encounter on the trails. Rent or buy this in Downtown Banff or Canmore.
- Toilet paper – sometimes there is no toilet paper available in the pit toilets.
- Portable charger – if your phone battery isn’t reliable I highly recommend bringing a portable phone charger. That way you won’t miss out on any pictures, and you’ll have access to offline maps if you download them in advance.
![Female sitting amongst wildflowers looking away from the camera, towards a valley of pine trees surrounded by mountains](https://i0.wp.com/endlesswonder.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/ptarmigan-cirque-hike-1.jpg?resize=580%2C870&ssl=1)
Top Tips for Hiking Ptarmigan Cirque:
- Leave No Trace: Pack out your garbage, stay on the designated trails, and respect the other hikers on the trail.
- Be responsible for your own safety: It’s up to you to learn the rules and recommendations about wild animal safety, and bring the gear you need to keep yourself safe (like bear spray!).
- Have a back up plan: Hiking in and around Kananaskis can be busy and parking lots can fill up fast. Have a back-up plan on another trail to check out if your first choice has no parking available.
- Download things in advance: Cell service can be limited in Kananaskis Country. Have any information you need pre-downloaded or maps screenshotted before leaving.
- Always check the weather beforehand: The weather in the mountains can be unpredictable – always be prepared for changing weather.
Getting to the Trailhead
The trailhead for Ptarmigan is relatively easy to get to if you have a vehicle. There is no public transportation that will take you around Kananaskis, so you will need access to a car. The parking lot for the hike is called the Highwood Meadows Day Use Area.
As you’re approaching the trail parking lot from Calgary, Canmore, or Banff, you’ll be driving Highwood Pass just before the lot. Highwood Pass is the highest paved pass in Canada, so make sure to take in the amazing scenery on the way there!
Calgary to Ptarmigan Cirque
The drive from Calgary to Ptarmigan Cirque trail head is quite easy! From Calgary, get on the TransCanada Highway (Highway 1) and head West towards Banff. Watch for exit 118 towards Kananaskis Trail (Highway 40). Turn left and take Kananaskis Trail South for around 67 km until you see a sign signaling the Ptarmigan CIrque Parking lot. The lot will be on the right side of the road.
Canmore to Ptarmigan Cirque
To get to Ptarmigan Cirque from Canmore, get on the TransCanada Highway (Highway 1) East towards Calgary. Watch for exit 118 towards Kananaskis Country (Highway 40). Turn right and take Kananaskis Trail South for around 67 km until you see a sign signaling the Ptarmigan Cirque Parking lot. The lot will be on the right side of the road.
Banff to Ptarmigan Cirque
Driving to Ptarmigan Cirque from Banff is the same direction as the drive from Canmore, you’ll just spend a little more time on Highway 1 before arriving at Exit 118.
![Male hiker on the Ptarmigan Cirque Trail in front of a huge mountain peak](https://i0.wp.com/endlesswonder.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/ptarmigan-cirque-hike-2.jpg?resize=580%2C870&ssl=1)
When to Hike Ptarmigan Cirque
The best time to hike Ptarmigan Cirque is during the summer months and the fall. The part of Kananaskis Trail that the Ptarmigan Cirque trail head is on, closes every year from around December 1 – June 14th. This means the hike is inaccessible during this time.
Hiking during the summer will be your best bet for a dry trail and good weather. Wildflower season is in July, which means that is the best time to see wildflowers on the trail!
Golden larch season is in September-early October, meaning this is the best time to see pretty larches on the trail. Larch season is short and busy, so arrive early to get a parking spot!
You run the risk of snow on the trail when it first opens in mid-June and snow is still melting. You also risk snow in September – December, although the weather fluctuates so much in the mountains – I’ve seen snow in July and it’s been 30°C in September before!
Leave No Trace Principles
It’s so important to Leave No Trace while hiking in the Canadian Rockies (or hiking anywhere for that matter!). Leave No Trace Principles are guidelines to remember while out in nature, in order to maintain and preserve it into the future.
There are 7 Leave No Trace Principles to keep in mind while out in nature, and I’ve summarized a few key points for each Principle. Not all are applicable to hiking, but I wanted to include them just in case you’re doing more than hiking while in the Kananaskis area:
- Plan ahead and prepare: Be prepared for changing weather, make sure your skill level matches the trip you’re planning, and check for any closures due to weather or animals in the area.
- Travel (and camp) on durable surfaces: For hiking, stay on the designated trail. If you wander off trail, you’re probably stepping on fragile alpine plants, destroying wildflowers, or disrupting a once untouched environment.
- Dispose of waste properly: There are no trash cans on the Ptarmigan Cirque Trail, but there are bear proof garbage cans at the trailhead. Carry your trash with you and dispose of it properly at the end of the hike. If the trash can cannot close properly (and therefore be bear safe) take your garbage with you until you find a garbage can that has space.
- Leave what you find: You may come across pretty wildflowers on your hike! Please leave them where they are and don’t rip them out of the ground just to get a closer look.
- Minimize campfire impacts: I don’t see anyone having a campfire while hiking this trail, but wanted to mention it in case you’re camping somewhere in the area!
- Respect wildlife: This is a big one when hiking in Kananaskis. If you come across an animal during your time here, make sure to give the animal more than enough space. They are wild, and you don’t have a reason to be approaching them. A negative interaction with an animal will put both you and the animal in harm’s way. Give it space, and back away or cut your hike short if the animal seems in distress or it’s a dangerous situation.
One other thing to mention, if you come across an animal while driving, you are not supposed to stop your car. Slow down and put your hazard lights on, but keep driving.
- Be considerate of others: Other people are out on the trail to enjoy nature too! Be kind, and if you really want to listen to music, try wearing headphones. Most people head out on a hike to escape constant noise stimulation.
Nearby Ptarmigan Cirque Trail
![Columbian Ground Squirrel standing up amongst white wildflowers on the Ptarmigan Cirque hike](https://i0.wp.com/endlesswonder.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/columbian-ground-squirrel-kananaskis.jpg?resize=580%2C870&ssl=1)
Nearby Camping
The closest campground to the Ptarmigan Cirque Trail Head is Elkwood Campground in Kananaskis. You can reserve a site in advance online through the Alberta Parks Campground Reservation System. Elkwood Campground is around a 22 minute drive to trailhead.
Accommodations Nearby
The hotels that are nearby the trailhead are all located in Kananaskis Village, about a 35 minute drive away.
A few popular hotels/hostels to check out are:
- Kananaskis Mountain Lodge: 35 minutes from the trailhead for a higher budget.
- Crosswaters Resort: 36 minutes from the trailhead for a medium budget.
- HI Kananaskis Wilderness Hostel: 32 minutes from the trailhead for a lower budget.
Other Hikes Nearby Ptarmigan Cirque
There are so many other hikes nearby that would be great to add to your Kananaskis hiking list!
- Pocaterra Ridge: This hike leaves from the same parking lot as Ptarmigan Cirque. It’s rated Hard on AllTrails, with 730m of elevation gain over 9.8 km. This is a point to point hike, which means additional planning may be involved!
- Arethusa Cirque: A short distance away is the Arethusa Cirque trailhead. This is a popular hike during larch season and is rated moderate on AllTrails. The hike is a 4.5km loop with around 377m of elevation gain.
- Blackshale Suspension Bridge: This is an easy hike to the Kananaskis suspension bridge, that is around a 23 minute drive to the trailhead. The trailhead for this one starts on the side of the road – which parking on the road is not typically allowed in Kananaskis, but you’ll probably see a lot of others parked here on the road. Park at your own risk!
![Grizzly bear near the Ptarmigan Cirque trailhead in Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada](https://i0.wp.com/endlesswonder.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/grizzly-bear-kananaskis-alberta.jpg?resize=870%2C580&ssl=1)
My Review of Ptarmigan Cirque
The hike to the Ptarmigan Cirque is relatively easy and is great for all skill levels, especially once you get past the initial steep part and make it to the main alpine meadow. The total distance of the hike is around 3.8 km, with an elevation gain of about 258 meters. The hike takes around 2-3 hours to complete, depending on your pace and how long you choose to spend at the cirque. I think this is a great hike to add your Kananaskis hiking list and one you should definitely do!
Make sure to bring your camera, because it is very picturesque!
Ptarmigan Cirque FAQ
Hiking Ptarmigan Cirque takes most people around 1.5 hours to complete!
The Ptarmigan Cirque hike is located in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, in Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada. It is around 1.5 hours from Calgary, 1.5 hours from Banff, and around a 1 hour drive from Canmore.
Yes, dogs are allowed on the hike as long as they are kept on a leash throughout the hike.
Yes, because Ptarmigan Cirque is located in Kananaskis, Alberta, a Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required to park at the trailhead parking lot.
Yup! The parking lot is very easy to find, it is well marked by a sign letting you know the turn into the parking lot is coming up.
Summary of Hiking Ptarmigan Cirque
Overall, the Ptarmigan Cirque hike is a must-do for anyone interested in hiking in Kananaskis! As you prepare to hike, make sure you’re equipped with the right gear, respect the wildlife, and Leave No Trace so we can continue hiking in this beautiful area. It’s a great hike for everyone, especially once past the initial incline. I loved this hike; the alpine meadow is stunning and the Cirque itself is super cool to see!
If you’re interested in another moderate day hike in Kananaskis, be sure to check out Chester Lake Trail. It’s around a 50 minute drive from the Ptarmigan Cirque Trailhead, and also starts out with an incline through a forest to a pretty alpine meadow. This one brings you to an alpine lake though for a chance at a different view!
Hopefully this Ptarmigan Cirque Hiking Guide helped you plan your hike to this amazing spot!
Any questions? Send me a DM on Instagram!
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16 Easy Hikes Near Banff National Park
![Pinterest pin: The Hike to Ptarmigan Cirque is the perfect Kananaskis trail to choose if you're looking for a moderate, but stunning half-day hike to a beautiful alpine meadow! This is your guide on how to hike Ptarmigan Cirque, details of the hike, and everything you need to know before heading out on the trail and exploring this amazing trail in the Canadian Rockies!!](https://i0.wp.com/endlesswonder.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/ptarmigan-cirque-hike-kananaskis-alberta-canada.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
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Hey! I’m Kat. Based in Alberta, Canada I love to travel to the Rockies and explore new places around the world. Follow along on my adventures and find inspiration and tips for your own travels.
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