Forestry Trunk Road — Hwy 40 Kananaskis to Highwood Junction South
Highwood Pass country — elk, gravel, and no crowds.
Highway 40 south of Kananaskis Village toward Highwood Junction is one of Alberta’s most approachable yet genuinely rewarding overland corridors. The pavement disappears and the road transitions to packed gravel through rolling foothills, threading past Highwood Pass — the highest paved road in Canada at 2,206m — before dropping into the Highwood River valley. Elk and bighorn sheep are a constant distraction on the shoulder. The road skirts Mist Mountain and runs through the Highwood Range with no shortage of pullouts for camp scouting. Watch for muddy washout sections after heavy rain near the Cataract Creek campground junction.
This section is genuinely accessible to stock high-clearance rigs on a dry day, but wet conditions turn clay sections greasy and test even mid-travel builds. The road is closed from December 1 to June 15 to protect wildlife, so summer and early fall are your windows. No permit required. Fuel up in Longview or Bragg Creek — there’s nothing between. Dispersed camping is available through the Kananaskis Country forest reserve zones. Cell service cuts out completely past the Highwood River bridge. Bring water filters; creek sources are plentiful but not treated.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Wildlife |
| Length (miles) | 58 mi / 93.3 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7234 ft |
| Best season | June 16–October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Longview, Alberta |
| Land manager | Alberta Environment and Protected Areas — Kananaskis Country |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | alberta.ca |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this route without any mods?
Yes. A stock 4WD high-clearance vehicle is the minimum and it's sufficient for normal conditions. The route is gravel and dirt — no rock crawling — but ruts and soft sections after rain can get grabby, so all-terrain tires are a real advantage over stock highway rubber.
When does the Highwood Pass section of Hwy 40 open for the season?
The southern section of Hwy 40 through Highwood Pass is closed to vehicles from December 1 through June 15 annually to protect wildlife during critical winter and calving periods. Plan your run for June 16 at the earliest, and expect snow to be a factor even in early summer at elevation.
Do I need a permit or pass to drive this route?
No permit is required to drive the route itself. However, if you're camping at designated Kananaskis campgrounds along the way, you'll need to pay site fees and reservations are recommended. Dispersed camping is available but check current Alberta Environment and Protected Areas rules for specific zones before you go.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
There's no single brutal obstacle — the difficulty is cumulative. Expect sustained gravel with washboards, seasonal muddy stretches, and some rutted sections after wet weather. The elevation gain keeps grades honest in places, and the remote nature means a mechanical problem is your problem to solve without cell service or quick help.
Is there any cell service on the route, and how far is the nearest fuel?
Cell service is effectively zero for the entire 93 km run — plan accordingly and carry a satellite communicator. Fuel up in Longview before heading north or in Canmore/Kananaskis Village if approaching from the north end; there are no gas stations on the route itself.
Trail track
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