One of the most popular hike in the area and for good reasons, taking you right to the edge of the canyon and up close for great views of Siffleur Falls.
This hike is located within the Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve which encompasses approximately 34 square kilometres of the North Saskatchewan River valley south of Abraham Lake. The area is intersected by the Siffleur and North Saskatchewan rivers with open plains dominated by grasses, forbs and stands of aspen and limber pine trees. White spruce and lodgepole pines cover most of the surrounding slopes.
The area is influenced by the surrounding mountains, the wide shape of the valley and the consistent winds. As a result, the climate is relatively dry and warm creating favourable conditions for a wide diversity of wildlife and plant species.
At a Glance
Distance: 7 km return
Elevation gain: ~80 m
Challenge Level: Easy | Family Friendly
Trail type: There and back
Congestion: Busy
Management: Alberta Parks Ecological Reserve
Other Trail Uses: None
Trailhead: Approximately 62 km west of Nordegg and 21 km east of the Banff National Park boundary. The trail starts at the Siffleur Falls Staging Area which provides ample parking space and dry washrooms.
This snowshoe gives you a sense of wilderness and great views on an adventure that can be done in half a day.
This hike takes you behind Mount Stelfox to a great viewpoint looking down into Coral Canyon and up the massive valley of Coral Creek.
With a large, easy trail to follow, this adventure takes you quickly into the backcountry giving you a feeling of remoteness. There are also impressive open views up the Cline River valley and towards Sentinel Mountain. This is one of the better options for snowshoeing in the area when there is snow.
At a Glance
Distance: 7.5 km return
Elevation gain: ~190 m
Challenge Level: Moderate | Family Friendly
Trail type: There and back
Congestion: Minimal
Management: Kiska/Wilson & Job/Cline PLUZ
Other Trail Uses: Horses and OHV (trapline use only)
Trailhead: The trail starts at the Coral Creek White Goat Staging Area, approximately 48 km west of Nordegg and 42 km east of Saskatchewan River Crossing. Toilets are available at the trailhead.
Amazing views of the North Saskatchewan River Valley
The easy Siffleur Benches hike starts at a busy trailhead but quickly gets away from the crowds where you’ll enjoy amazing views of the North Saskatchewan River valley and the surrounding mountains.
This trail is sometimes referred by Alberta Parks as Survey Hill given the great vantage point that is your destination. This often leads to confusion given that there is a place called Survey Hill a little further down the trail.
Take your time as you explore the area, stop to take in the views along the ridge overlooking the Siffleur River and enjoy what Mary Schaffer Warren referred to as the golden plains of the Saskatchewan.
Your adventure might start at one of the busiest trailhead in the area, a short drive away from the popular Icefields Parkway, but you’ll feel a world away as you explore the benches.
At a Glance
Distance: 6.9 km return
Elevation gain: ~145 m
Challenge Level: Easy
Trail type: Partial Loop
Congestion: Moderate (busy trailhead)
Management: Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve
Other Trail Uses: None
Trailhead: Approximately 62 km west of Nordegg and 21 km east of the Banff National Park boundary. The trail starts at the Siffleur Falls Staging Area which provides ample parking space and dry toilets.
HEAD OUT ON YOUR OWN
DISTANCES
0.6 km | Suspension Bridge
1.2 km | Glacier Trail
1.8 km | Siffleur River
1.9 km | Junction
2.2 km | Junction
2.4 km | Junction
2.6 km | Junction
3.2 km | Junction
3.3 km | Junction
3.8 km | Viewpoint
4.3 km | Junction
4.4 km | Junction
5.0 km | Junction
5.1 km | Siffleur River
5.7 km | Junction
6.3 km | Suspension Bridge
6.9 km | Trailhead
THE JOURNEY
From the trailhead, follow the well established trail to Siffleur Falls. The first section takes you through a meadow with great views of Mount Peskett before reaching the suspension bridge over the North Saskatchewan River. This is Alberta’s longest suspension bridge.
On the other side of the bridge follow the boardwalk through the fragile ecosystem and make your way to Glacier Trail. Follow the old road toward Siffleur Falls, going straight at the junction at the end of the boardwalk. After crossing the Siffleur River you come to a 3 way junction. Go straight following the old road. At first the trail is overgrown with silverberry bushes but soon it opens back up as you start to make your way up the hill.
Part way up the hill there is a small trail to the left. This is a shortcut but you are better off continuing straight ahead on the main trail. As the trail levels off there is an obvious trail to the left, just before a sign for the Adpot-A-Trail program. Follow this trail as it makes it’s way along the edge of the benches overlooking the Siffleur River. At the next junction on a hill, head to the right up the hill. At the top, take the trail on the left to access the viewpoint.
The viewpoint is an open area overlooking the valley below and at the top of the rills and gullies you can see from the trailhead. Take some time to enjoy the view before making your way back to the trailhead.
THE RETURN
Make your way back on the trail until you reach the junction on the hill. At this point, go straight to make your way down to the Siffleur River and follow the trail back to the 3 way junction near the bridge over the Siffleur River. Retrace your steps from there back to the trailhead.
One of the most popular hike in the area and for good reasons, taking you right to the edge of the canyon and up close for great views of Siffleur Falls.
The trail can be busy, especially on summer weekends. If you head out midweek, in the spring or later in the season you can often have the whole area to yourself.
This hike is located within the Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve which encompasses approximately 34 square kilometres of the North Saskatchewan River valley south of Abraham Lake. The area is intersected by the Siffleur and North Saskatchewan rivers with open plains dominated by grasses, forbs and stands of aspen and limber pine trees. White spruce and lodgepole pines cover most of the surrounding slopes.
The area is influenced by the surrounding mountains, the wide shape of the valley and the consistent winds. As a result, the climate is relatively dry and warm creating favourable conditions for a wide diversity of wildlife and plant species.
At a Glance
Distance: 7 km return
Elevation gain: ~805 m
Challenge Level: Easy
Trail type: There and back
Congestion: Busy
Management: Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve
Other Trail Uses: None
Trailhead: Approximately 62 km west of Nordegg and 21 km east of the Banff National Park boundary. The trail starts at the Siffleur Falls Staging Area which provides ample parking space and dry toilets.
The Trail Guide
SIFFLEUR FALLS ACCESS | 3.5 KM
0.5 km | Suspension bridge
0.7 km | Boardwalk
1.2 km | Go left at the end of the boardwalk
1.8 km | Siffleur River Bridge
1.9 km | Go right at the junction
2.4 km | Hill
3.2 km | Canyon Viewpoint
3.5 km | Siffleur Falls
SIFFLEUR FALLS RETURN TRAIL | 3.5 KM
Retrace your steps back to the trailhead
THE JOURNEY
From the trailhead parking lot, follow the main Siffleur Falls trail making your way across the North Saskatchewan River on the suspension bridge. A boardwalk has been build through the next section. This area is extremely fragile, please stay on the boardwalk. At the end of the boardwalk, follow Glacier Trail on the left toward the Siffleur River.
Shortly after the Siffleur River bridge the trails comes at a junction. The Siffleur Falls trail is the one on the right.
The trail follows the river a short distance before reaching the only hill on this hike. It is a short uphill from there to some great views of Two O’Clock Ridge across the valley and the Siffleur River canyon.
The trail heads into the forest for a short section before coming up to great views of the canyon and a series of viewing platforms. The falls ahead are impressive with the Siffleur River plunging 15 m through a narrow channel in the rock. Take the time to enjoy the views and make sure to stay a safe distance from the cliffs and canyon edge.
THE RETURN
The falls mark the end of the trail for most people. If you want to go further, the trail continues to two more sets of falls and leads to the Siffleur Wilderness Area. You can find out more about the next section in the Siffleur Falls – Third Falls and Wilderness Area Access trail guide. To head back to the trailhead, simply retrace your footsteps.
Hike up a fire road to the Shunda Mountain fire lookout overlooking Nordegg, Coliseum Mountain and the Rockies with a 360-degree panorama from the summit.
The gated fire road makes for an easy way to reach a summit with views of the forested foothills, the Brazeau Range and the front range of the Rockies.
For those looking for a great hiking experience, Coliseum Mountain and Eagle Mountain Ridge offer better options with similar views. This trail is shared with off-road vehicles and walking up the fire road can be tedious. It does offer the shortest distance to a summit however and is a great option with kids or when you’re a little short on time.
At a Glance
Distance: 5.6 km return
Elevation gain: ~390 m
Challenge Level: Easy
Trail type: There and back
Congestion: Moderate
Management: Kiska / Wilson PLUZ
Other Trail Uses: OHV
Trailhead: The is located a short drive north of Nordegg. From highway 11, follow Shunda Creek Road and keep right onto Baldy Mountain Road, continuing onto Baldy Tower Road. The trailhead is at the gate on the road, located approximately 6.5 km from highway 11.
THE TRAIL GUIDE
ACCESS TRAIL | 2.8 KM
1.6 km | Junction
1.9 km | Junction
2.8 km | Fire Lookout
RETURN TRAIL | 2.8 KM
Retrace your steps back to the trailhead
THE JOURNEY
Park at the gate on the Baldy Mountain Road, making sure not to obstruct access to the gate. From there, follow the fire road up the hill.
After approximately a kilometre the views starts to improve. You’ll first notice the many logged area nearby as well as the oil and gas sites in the area. Soon after you’ll come across a great view of Coliseum Mountain.
Once you reach a junction, there will be a viewpoint and precipitation collection station a short distance back on the left. The two options looking ahead lead to the same spot and join again 300 metres up the road.
As you approach the summit you’ll notice fencing on the side of the road. The area is a fragile alpine environment and work is being done to reclaim damage from past use. Stay on the road, the views of Abraham Lake and the Siffleur Range ahead are worth it.
The fire lookout is a work area and a residence. While some employees like the company and may welcome you to the lookout, keep in mind that it is a private area and stay outside the fence unless you’re invited in.
THE RETURN TRAIL
Head back to the trailhead following the same route as you did on the way up.
THE NARROW CANYONS OF THE CLINE RIVER AND CORAL CREEK
Coral Canyon is probably one of the most delightful half-day hikes in the area with gorgeous views and narrow canyons along the way.
While the hike itself is not overly long, the perfect lunch spot awaits with dramatic views of Coral Creek. Plan on spending some extra time on this hike.
This hike is located in the Cline River Area. It is an area that includes alpine, subalpine and boreal upland ecoregions with a significant population of grizzly bears, elk, goats and mountain sheeps.
At a Glance
Distance: 7.7 km return
Elevation gain: ~190 m
Challenge Level: Moderate
Trail type: Partial Loop
Congestion: Moderate
Management: Kiska / Wilson PLUZ
Other Trail Uses: Horses
Trailhead: Coral Creek White Goat Staging Area.
Trail Guide
From the trailhead parking lot, head toward the trail kiosk where you will find the well defined path.
A short walk from the parking lot (approximately 100m) you will come across a stream crossing. There are usually enough rocks and logs to make it across with dry feet but a pair of hiking poles is helpful for balance as you cross this slippery section.
As the trail starts to climb after the stream crossing you will notice a smaller trail to the left heading into the forest. This is the trail we will follow here since it offers the best views of the Cline River and Coral Creek canyons. For those looking for an easier option, the horse trail alternative is described further down.
The June 2013 flood washed out the trail in many sections. A new trail has formed along the river. Remember throughout the first section that although the old trail is visible, many sections are unstable. Stick with the new path.
From there the trail follows the Cline River. The trail start to climb away from the river as you approach the Cline River canyon. From there follow along the canyon until you reach the confluence of the Cline River and Coral Creek.
At this point you will reach a viewpoint overlooking the Coral Creek canyon and a junction with the horse trail (the horse trail veers off a short distance from the viewpoint along the cut line).
Continue along the canyon, following the path through the forest and along the ridge until you meet the horse trail. Follow the sign for Coral Creek. From here you are approximately 500 metres from the viewpoints.
As the trail reaches the top of the hill heading into the forest, follow the smaller trail leading down toward the canyon and a great viewpoint of the narrow canyon and broad valley above. This makes for a great lunch spot but we’d suggest heading a little further along the trail and down to the creek.
Head back up to the horse trail and follow it into the forest and down the hill on the other side all the way to the creek.
On the way back, follow the trail into the forest for a more relaxing adventure back to the trailhead. You will see the trail on your left shortly after the viewpoint access.
ALTERNATE TRAIL
The trail described above is easy with some steeper sections. Those looking for an easier option can follow the horse trail at the first junction, shortly after the creek crossing. While on the main horse trail you will come across many trails to your right, heading into the forest. Keep going straight on the main path until the well used horse path veers right into the forest. At this junction, stay on the horse trail for the easier option or continue straight ahead to join the more scenic hiking trail.
Even if you intend to follow the horse trail at this point, we strongly encourage you to go straight ahead catch an up close view of the canyon. It is a short distance away and you can easily back track to this junction to resume your journey on the horse trail if you choose to.
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