The Chester Lake Trail in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park stands out as a go-to hike in Kananaskis, especially in the winter. The trail gives the best samplings of scenery in the Canadian Rockies, including Christmas card spruce and pine trees, snow-covered meadows and a beautiful frozen lake with majestic Mount Chester towering above it.

Photo by Miranda Smit – Approaching Chester Lake

Here are some reasons why we recommend this winter hike in Kananaskis Country, Alberta:

The hike is moderate in difficulty and provides a beautiful reward without tremendous effort.
It’s easy enough for an active family hike or snowshoeing.
There are designated cross-country ski trails to the lake if that’s your preference.
You can add a little more to your hike and check out the Elephant Rocks.
It’s about an hour’s drive from Canmore through Spray Valley Provincial Park.

Chester Lake Hike — Photo by Miranda Smit – Approaching Chester Lake

Indigenous place name for Kananaskis

Kananaskis Country and Chester Lake is part of the traditional territory of Treaty 7. It is the traditional homelands of the the Blackfoot Confederacy, which includes the Siksika, Piikani and Kainai First Nations, the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda First Nation. This land is also home to Metis Nation of Alberta.

The place name Kananaskis comes from a Cree story about Kin-e-a-kis, which means “The One Who Is Grateful.” It is the story of an Indigenous warrior who survived who received a blow to the head by an axe during a fight. The fight happened where the Bow and Kananaskis Rivers meet, and the story was told by an early settler named John Palliser. Kin-e-a-kis was believed to be Palliser’s Indigenous guide.

In the Stoney language, the Kananaskis area was called ozada or oz-ada imne, which means “where rivers meet.”

Chester Lake Hike Information

Distance: 9.3 KM round trip

Elevation Gain: About 300m to Chester Lake and 360m to Elephant Rocks

Difficulty: Easy to moderate. There is a bit of elevation, but nothing to be scared of!

Time: 3 to 4 hours to Chester Lake and back, more if you want to spend some time at Elephant Rocks

Trail Conditions: Check trail conditions for advisories before you go. The Peter Lougheed Provincial Park Trail Advisory page offers updated information on cross-country ski trail grooming, snow conditions and other hazards.

Trail Closures: The Chester Lake Trail is closed annually from May 1 to June 29 to allow the trail to dry and prevent damage.

Trail Rules:

Bikes are allowed, but only on the first two km of trail, which is the old logging road section.
Dogs are allowed on a leash.
Hiking and snowshoeing are not permitted on groomed ski trails
A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required to park your vehicle in Kananaskis and the Bow Valley

What to know before you go:

Be careful on the ice! Alberta Parks does not monitor ice conditions.
Carry bear spray, even in the winter.
Follow leave-no-trace and responsible travel principles.

Hiking to Chester Lake

You’ll find the Chester Lake Trailhead on the Smith-Dorian Trail (HWY 742) on the north end of Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. The parking lot is clearly signed from the highway. Once you’re in the parking lot, you’ll see access to the ski trail and the hiking/snowshoeing trail. You’ll also find the trailhead for the Snowdrift snowshoe trail and Frost Heave snowshoe trail.

The Chester Lake winter trails are on the north end of the parking lot, and the snowshoe trail turns off to the right. The trail markers are obvious and easy to follow.

In less than an hour, the trail will reach a meadow. The trail weaves in and out of the forest and through snow-covered meadows until you reach the approach to Chester Lake.

Photo by Sebastien Rodrigue – Mountain views on the Chester Lake Hike

Photo by Sebastien Rodrigue – Large Meadow on the Chester Lake Hike

If you’ve had cold weather and the ice is safe, you can walk or snowshoe across the lake. It’s also a great spot to make a few snow angels before moving on.

Photo by Miranda Smit – Chester Lake on a sunny day.

Getting to Elephant Rocks

If you make a left at the lake, go over a little bridge and head along the west shore, you’ll reach an intersection that will take you up to the Elephant Rocks. The intersection is roughly 50 metres down this trail on your left and shoots up into the forest. Follow that trail, and in under 10 minutes, you’ll be at the enormous wind-weathered boulders people have dubbed the Elephant Rocks.

Elephant Rocks from the Chester Lake Hike — Photo by Sebastien Rodrigue – Elephant Rocks on the Chester Lake Hike

As you approach the rock formations, it might look like an elephant emerging from the snow-covered landscape, but you’ll have to use your imagination.

In the summer, these rocks make a great spot for kids to boulder, climb and explore. However, the snow can get quite deep in between the boulders in the winter, and children can easily fall, get stuck or be buried. Unfortunately, playing on the boulders is not advised when the Elephant Rocks are covered in snow!

Photo by Terence Graw – Elephant Rocks on the Chester Lake Hike

To get back, retrace your steps back to Chester Lake and the trailhead parking lot.

Photo by Miranda Smit – Snow covered meadows on the Chester Lake Hike

Preparing for Your Winter Adventure

Winter hiking and snowshoeing in Kananaskis can be a fun adventure, but you should prepare for your hike to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Dress Appropriately

To stay warm and dry, wear layers of moisture-wicking and insulating clothing. Wear a thermal base layer, an insulating layer like a fleece or down jacket, and good-quality, breathable, wind-breaking shell and waterproof pants. Don’t forget a hat, gloves or mittens and something to protect your face from the wind and cold. Wear a sturdy pair of winter hiking boots with good traction.

Photo by Sebastien Rodrigue – Winter forest on the Chester Lake Hike

Bring the right gear for winter hiking

This trail is popular, so the snow should be packed down, and snowshoes are likely not required. However, you can pack additional traction like Yak Tracs or Micro-spikes in case you reach icy sections.

Bring a backpack with the winter hiking essentials:

Water and snacks
First aid kit
Map or navigation
Extra layers
Emergency gear like a pocket knife, waterproof matches or a lighter, emergency blanket, etc.

You can also bring hiking poles to help with stability, especially if the trail is icy. And don’t forget your bear spray, which should be worn somewhere easily accessible.

Check the weather and trail conditions

Mountain weather can be unpredictable and change rapidly. Before heading out, check the weather forecast and trail conditions. Be prepared to adjust your plans if the weather deteriorates. Always tell someone not on the hike where you are going and your travel plans.

Start early. It gets dark early in the winter!

Daylight hours are shorter in winter, so it’s essential to start your hike early. Check when the sun sets and ensure you have enough time to complete the trail and return safely before dark.

Respect the environment

Be responsible on the trails and respect the environment and wildlife. Ensure you leave no trace, which means packing out everything you packed in, including your garbage, dog doo-doo bags, etc. Keep to designated trails to prevent damage to plants and trees. If you see any wildlife, enjoy observing it from a distance. Never feed wildlife, and keep your food securely stored to prevent attracting animals.

Winter hiking with kids

Active kids who are regular hikers can do this trail but know their limits. Hiking in the winter and through snow can be more physically demanding than in the summer, and you have to consider the cold and wet weather. Make sure they’re dressed warmly and in layers, and bring a bigger backpack to carry extra gear (and have room for if they need to shed a layer).

Kids can get cold and tired quickly and might even get bored on a long hike. Setting your expectations will help the hike go smoother for everyone and help them be more successful on the trail. That means being prepared to go slower, taking more breaks and engaging them with fun games along the trail. For example, you can play eye-spy or help them find and identify animal tracks.

Pack snacks! Being rewarded with a treat once you reach the lake or the Elephant Rocks is a good motivator and can help make the hike more memorable.

If your kids are clearly done with the hike, be prepared to turn around. Forcing them to finish it when they’re too tired, cold or bored will bring negative feelings toward the activity. Instead, end on a high note, take lots of photos and make it a fun outdoor activity to do again another time.

Getting to the Chester Lake Hike

The Chester Lake trailhead is easy to find and clearly marked with a huge blue sign on the highway. Check out the location of Chester Lake here.

From Calgary: Take Highway 1 west towards Canmore. Exit on Kananaskis Trail (Highway 40) and follow that south until you reach Kananaskis Lakes/Smith Dorrien Trail (Highway 742). Drive about 22km to the Chester Lake Trailhead parking lot on your right.

From Canmore: Get on Three Sisters Drive and take a slight right onto Spray Lakes Road to the Smith Dorrien Trail. Drive about 41 km until you reach the Chester Lake Trailhead parking lot on your left. It’s directly across the road from the Burstall Pass trailhead parking lot.

Find more outdoor adventures in Alberta!