Kananaskis & Foothills

This tour takes an off-beat path through the foothills and the gateway to the Rocky Mountains. Start from Calgary and head west on Hwy 1A (Crowchild Trail) to Cochrane, a lovely riverside town. Follow 1A into the Bow Valley, through the Stoney Reserve at Morley, and continue on past Seebee, Exshaw and Dead ManÕs Flats as you enter the Rocky Mountain parks. Head back out to Hwy 1 at Canmore and stop in for a lunch in one of the cafes flanked by mountain ranges in the valley. Head back on the TransCanada Highway (Hwy 1), going south at the junction for Hwy 40 into Kananaskis Country. This route overlooks two large lakes, Kananaskis and Barrier, and winds up through the Highwood Pass (closed through mid-June). Head east at Hwy 541 back into the rolling foothills to Longview. From there, go north on Hwy 22 through the many small ranching and oil towns like Black Diamond, Turner Valley and Priddis. For an extra detour, head west on Hwy 22X to Bragg Creek, known for artisan shops and rustic dining. Hwy 8 from Bragg Creek will bring you back to

Calgary at Glenmore Trail. Distances: Calgary to Cochrane 38 km (24 mi). Cochrane to Hwy 40 junction 50 km (31 mi). Hwy 40 to Highwood Pass 105 km (65 mi). Highwood Pass to Longview 45 km (28 mi). Longview to Bragg Creek 70 km (42 mi). Bragg Creek to Calgary 49 km (30 mi).