Highwood Pass to Lineham Creek — Kananaskis High Country Loop
Highest paved pass in Canada — then it gets real.
Highwood Pass sits at 2,206 metres — the highest paved point in Canada — and when Highway 40 closes to vehicles below the pass from December 1 to June 15, the route becomes a different animal entirely. Starting from the Highwood Junction and pushing south, you thread through Kananaskis Country’s spine, dropping onto the Lineham Creek Forest Road network west of Highwood House. The creek crossings on the Lineham drainage are real — spring runoff can push water above axle height, and loose shale sidehills demand your full attention. Elk, bighorn sheep, and grizzlies are routine company through this stretch.
This is high-clearance territory minimum, and a locker front or rear will save your skin on the shale descents. The pass section is accessible in a stock rig, but the Lineham Creek spurs earn their keep quickly. Best window is mid-July through September when water levels drop and snow is off the high ground. No permits required but respect the seasonal road closure dates — wardens enforce them. Longview or Kananaskis Village for fuel, carry your own water, and plan for at least one night dispersed camping in the upper drainage.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Gravel, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 38 mi / 61.2 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7238 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Longview, Alberta |
| Land manager | Alberta Parks — Kananaskis Country |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | albertaparks.ca |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD will get through, but meaningful ground clearance matters on the rocky sections past Lineham Creek. Lifted rigs have more margin on the rougher logging network segments. Low-clearance crossovers and 2WD trucks should stay home.
When does the Lineham Creek backcountry section actually become passable after winter?
July is the realistic open window — snowpack at 7,000+ feet lingers deep into June and the creek crossings run high with melt. September is the sweet spot for stable conditions before early-season snow closes things back down. Don't push it before Canada Day.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp in Kananaskis Country here?
Alberta's Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required for any vehicle parked in Kananaskis Country — it's $90 CAD annually or $15 per day as of 2024. Pick it up online through Alberta Parks before you go; enforcement is active. Dispersed camping on Crown land adjacent to the logging network may have separate rules — confirm current regulations with Alberta Parks directly.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it technical?
The Lineham Creek logging network is where it gets real — rutted two-track, embedded rock, and shelf road segments with minimal recovery room. The creek crossings themselves aren't extreme in late summer but can be thigh-deep and fast-moving in early July. Mud after rain turns the gravel sections into a greasy mess that catches people off guard.
There's zero cell service out here — how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and should I carry extra fuel?
Longview is your last reliable fuel stop, roughly 40–50 km from the Highwood Pass start — top off there. For a 61 km trail with approach and exit driving, a 10L jerry can is cheap insurance and worth carrying. Don't count on anything between Longview and your end point.
Trail track
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