Trails & Conditions

Bragg Creek Trails is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the area by providing sustainable, multi-use trails. Our mission is to inspire and foster a strong community of nature lovers through accessible, well-maintained trails for all to enjoy.

This page is sponsored by: Cycle 22x

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Current Conditions

  • December 11, 2024

    There has been no new snow at West Bragg Creek for over two weeks.  Alternating warm, melting conditions and periods of cold weather continue to change the trail conditions.  Single track trails range from very hard packed snow, to ice in shaded and sheltered areas, to dry dirt on sun and wind exposed sites, especially on the ridge tops.  Ski trails generally have consistent snow coverage, but are very hard packed and icy, with some early season hazards like rocks and twigs showing through.  XC skiing is not recommended until we get more snow.  Conditions are not good for snowshoeing.  Studded tires are essential for fat-biking. Biking conditions are good, expect to encounter sections of glare ice and dry dirt.  Traction devices are highly recommended for hiking or trail running.

Trail Cams

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Current XC Ski Conditions from Nordic Pulse

Directions to Trail Access

For the West Bragg Creek trail head access, follow Balsam Ave to the bridge, turn left onto Centre Ave.
Continue west for 9.3km to the West Bragg Creek Provincial Recreation Area or parking lot.

Maps for additional access points:

Allen Bill Day Use

Fullerton Day Use

Station Flats

Etiquette

  • The BCT Trail Center at the West Bragg Creek Provincial Recreation Area is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. It’s a heated space, and there’s a cellular hotspot located right at the entrance, which can be especially useful given that cell service in the Bragg Creek Trails area can be quite spotty. The BCT Trail Center also houses an AED for emergencies.
  • There is Equestrian Only parking available in BCT-PRA, Fullerton and Station Flats. In each case there is designated equestrian parking that is signed for equestrian trailers only. Please do not park there unless you are driving a truck and horse trailer.
  • Elbow Valley Visitor Centre, which is located on the way to Fullerton-Allen Bill and Station Flats has WiFi and cell service and is staffed 7 days a week with people who can provide trail information and sell the Kananaskis Pass and initiate emergency response.

  • Hikers may use all trails during the spring, summer and fall seasons.
  • During the snow season, use singletrack trails (brown on map), winter multi-user trails (pink on map) or winter equestrian trails (blue dots on map).

Mountain Biking

  • In spring, summer and fall, mountain bikers may use any trail, except Fullerton Loop, Watershed Heritage Interpretive Trail, Snowshoe Hare East and Fisher Link (hiking only). Biking is not permitted on Snowshoe Hare (east), Watershed Heritage Trail and Old Hostel Road at any time.
  • Try to anticipate other trail users as you ride around corners.
  • Mountain bikers should announce their presence to others, using their voice or a bell.
  • Mountain bikers travelling downhill should yield to anyone headed uphill.

Fat Biking

  • During the snow season, a number of trails are machine compacted to facilitate fat biking. Check for grooming status and conditions on the trail condition reports. See the biking page for a list of fat bike trails.
  • Winter biking: It is requested only “fat bikes” (with tires measuring 3.7 inches wide or wider and tire pressure that is 10 psi or lower) are used. Bikes with regular mountain bike narrow tires leave deep ruts in trails, creating a hazard when frozen.
  • Once grooming commences, biking, hiking and snowshoeing are permitted on East Telephone Loop, Mountain Road, using the non-trackset side of the trail.
  • Once grooming commences do not ride on ski trails
  • Winter fat biking is also permitted on Snowy Owl, Snowy Shortcut, Whitetail, Old Shell Road, Snowshoe Hare (west only), and Lower West Crystal Line winter multi-use trails whenever there is snow on the ground and the trails are frozen.
  • Fat bikers must yield to skiers at all ski trail crossings.

  • Snowshoers may use any trail (brown, pink or blue dots on map)
  • Snowshoeing is not permitted on any “XC Ski Only” trails (blue or green on map).

  • Please note that the designated ski-only, trails are for use by classic XC and skate skiers ONLY once grooming has commenced.
  • Mountain Road, Telephone Loop, Iron Creek, parts of Elbow and the south access trail are multi-use trails which also include XC skiing.
  • Ski trails are groomed and trackset by volunteers whenever there is sufficient snow. Please do not walk, snowshoe, bike, or ride horses on the groomed and trackset ski trails.
  • Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Avoid stopping where you might block the trail or be hidden from others
  • Stay Right, Pass Left: Please ski on the right, pass on the left, and use the middle lane for skate skiing
  • Skate Ski Responsibly: Please only skate ski on trails wide enough to prevent damage to track setting
  • Yield to Downhill Skiers: Downhill skiers have the right of way

  • In spring, summer and fall, horses are permitted on most trails, except Fullerton Loop, Watershed Heritage Interpretive Trail, Snowshoe Hare East and Fisher Link (hiking only).
  • Horseback riding is permitted on all season trails whenever conditions allow.
  • Avoid riding when trails are soft or muddy. Ride only when impact is minimal.

Winter Rules

  • Please see winter horseback riding page
  • Certain Winter Multi-Use Trails will be shared with fatbikes and snowshoers
  • Many other trail users are not familiar with horses and may not know or understand how to safely pass. When conditions are such, that other users, such as fat bikers, cannot easily move off the trail to pass, please move your horse into the deeper snow and let them pass on the trail.
  • Please no Horseback riding on XC ski trails once grooming commences.
  • Horseback riding is not permitted on snowshoe only trails at any time.
  • Do not leave manure in the parking lot or throw it in the bush. Shovel it in your trailer and pack it home.

  • Dogs are permitted on West Bragg Creek trails, please be a responsible dog owner.
  • Dogs must be on-leash in the Provincial Recreation Area (PRA), including the parking lot and surrounding area, otherwise you could be fined.
  • Outside of the PRA, dogs must be under control at all times.
  • Do not allow dogs to harass livestock, wildlife (which is illegal) or other trail users.
  • If skiing with a dog on a leash, a short leash is recommended, as a long leash presents a safety hazard to yourself and other skiers.
  • Skijoring is becoming more popular and involves being pulled on skiis by a harnessed dog. The dog is attached to the skier’s belt by a 9 foot line to accommodate for ski length. With proper training, dogs should stay in line with the trail and not cross into the path of oncoming skiers. Consider stepping off the trail and bringing your dog into the heal position when in high traffic areas or to let skiers pass.
  • Canicrossing is the sport of trail running with a dog in harness attached by a short leash (6 foot) to a waist belt. Please bring dog into heal position when approaching other trail users.
  • Do not leave bagged dog waste in the woods or on the trail.
  • Please see map of PRA boundary (dogs must be on leash within PRA boundary). Beige area on map shows the PRA area.

  • Cattle grazing season is June 15 to October 15 annually.
  • Please close all gates during grazing season.
  • Do not chase, herd or harass livestock, as it causes stress and economic loss.

West Bragg Creek is unique as it spans both a Provincial Recreation Area (PRA) and a Public Land Use Zone (PLUZ), which means different jurisdictions and regulations apply. The parking lot and surrounding areas are part of the PRA, while many of the trails are marked with signs indicating the transition from the PRA into the PLUZ. Hunting, as defined by the Wildlife Act, is prohibited within the PRA boundaries, but it is permitted on public land. Additionally, while target shooting is not allowed within 400 meters of a provincial trail, hunting from a provincial trail is allowed both within and outside of a PLUZ. For more details, refer to Section 188.1 of the Public Lands Act Regulations (PLAR)

The province is divided into Wildlife Management Units (WMU) designated into five geographical regions (Prairies, Parkland, Foothills, Northern Boreal, and Mountains). Wildlife within the boundaries of each WMU is managed by the Ministry of Environment and Protected areas according to the regulations established in Alberta’s Wildlife Act. It is the responsibility of each hunter to know the boundaries of the WMUs that they are hunting in, as well as the seasons, rules, and regulations that govern hunting in that particular WMU.

West Bragg Creek falls within the Elbow Wildlife Management Unit (406) which is in the Mountains geographic region. Big game animals, such as White-Tail Deer, Mule Deer, Elk, Moose, and Black Bear, can be hunted in WMU 406 between September 4 and November 30, 2024. The season for game birds in 406 runs from September 8, 2024 to January 15, 2025. Cougar season in 406 starts December 1, 2024 and ends on March 31, 2025, while the spring Black Bear hunt occurs from April 1 to May 15, 2025. Additional information about Mountain WMUs 400 Series, including all the seasons for WMU 406 can be found right here.

West Bragg Creek is an incredibly busy trail network with many different stakeholders. Thankfully there is plenty of space for all users and we strongly encourage safety and respect for anyone utilizing the West Bragg Creek area.

For additional information as it relates to hunting please consult the 2024 Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations and the Alberta Parks Hunting website.

BCT Winter etiquette
BCT Summer etiquette
BCT Spring etiquette

Trail Use Guidelines for the West Bragg Creek (WBC) Trail Network

The West Bragg Creek trail network is a multi-use system designed for all to enjoy. We welcome a variety of activities and encourage users to be mindful of trail etiquette and the experience of others. Below are some guidelines for specific uses:

Dogs
Dogs are welcome on all WBC trails. By definition, they must remain on-leash, which ensures their presence is compliant with the Provincial Recreation Area (PRA) regulations.

Sleds
Various sled types are permitted on our trails, including child chariots, pulks, and adaptive ski sleds. However, users operating kick sleds (where the operator is not on skis) should avoid “skier-only” trails.

Recommended Trails for Multi-Use Activities
For the best experience with sleds or other non-skiing activities, we recommend sticking to multi-user trails that are regularly snow-groomed or naturally compacted by frequent traffic.

Suggested Trails Include:

  • Mountain Road: Flat and relatively easy; users should stay to the non-track set side. Can be combined with West Meadow-Middle Tom Snow, though that section may be soft. Alternatives include Snowy Owl between the Beaver Dam and Old Shell Road or West Meadow, as they are typically well-packed.
  • Telephone Loop & Old Shell Road: Long trails with steep downhills, but relatively wide for a comfortable experience.
  • Snowshoe Hare West-DemiTel-Reconnect: A mix of wide sections and elevation gain, suitable for adventurous users. Can be combined with parts of Telephone Loop.
  • South Elbow Trail to Elbow/Iron Springs Junction: A scenic and enjoyable option with multi-user appeal.

Dogs

Hey Doggies, you are allowed on all West Bragg Creek trails – (bow) wow! In the Provincial Recreational Area, (see map below) make sure your owner keeps you on a leash. Outside the PRA make sure you may be off leash but must be under control. Thanks!

Trail map

Trail Safety and Responsibility

At Bragg Creek Trails, the safety of our visitors, volunteers, and staff is of utmost importance. Please be aware that we do not provide safety resources and search and rescue services.

For the safety of all, the public is not permitted in Bragg Creek Trail’s vehicles and our volunteers and staff are not authorized to perform rescues, provide first aid, or engage in emergency responses without direction from Kananaskis Emergency Services (KES) or other appropriate authorities.

We encourage all trail users to plan ahead, carry the necessary safety equipment, and familiarize themselves with emergency contact information before heading out. By doing so, you help keep yourself and others safe.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work together to maintain a safe and enjoyable trail network for everyone!