Ptarmigan Cirque is located in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Kananaskis, Alberta. Parking lot for the hike is at Highwood Meadows Day Use area, off Highway 40. The trail is well marked.
Note: Highway 40 is closed from December 1 to June 14th annually. This hike is not accessible in the winter!
Distance & Elevation Gain: 4.5km loop, 700ft
Difficulty: Moderate (though short distance so could be considered easy...really up to the individual)
Child Carrier Accessible: Backpack carrier required, no stroller access
Facilities: Outhouse
Description: This hike is in Highwood Pass which is the highest point in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. You will be about 2300m above sea level on this hike which is 1200m more than Calgary! The trail crosses the highway, is a moderate/steep climb up to the loop which is in a meadow nestled in a mountainous amphitheater. The hike offers beautiful views without needing to summit a mountain. This is an interpretive trail and you can print the information from the Alberta Parks website. The trail is popular, well marked and has many stones to rest on or meadow areas to have a picnic. There is even a bench that over looks a waterfall mid-way down the trail (depending on what path you take as there are several paths to see waterfalls and different views but are very obvious and all lead back to the same main trail). It is a great place to enjoy the summer months and the colourful wildflowers, streams, waterfalls and wildlife.
This is my absolute favorite short hike in Kananaskis due to its diversity and views! I have done this hike twice with our daughter and am looking forward to taking our son for the first time this summer. When we took our daughter we went in July and October. Pictures below show the hike in the summer and fall!
Ptarmigan Cirque in Summer (July)
Ptarmigan Cirque in Autumn (October)
Highwood Pass has a high elevation to begin with and is
only open half the year so plan your trip accordingly. A toddler can explore
and walk some of the cirque but would likely struggle (as do some adults) with
the steeper start / end. I have seen young kids (5 and up) hike the whole trail.