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SavePowderface trailhead is off of Hwy 66, just past the winter gate [Closed Dec. 1 - May 15]. There is an older outhouse and an info kiosk, plus a few picnic tables. The trails in this area are maintained by Alberta Parks.
Primary Trail Type: Cross-Country
eBikes Allowed:
No
AKA: Powder Face
Land Status: Regional Recreation Area
google parking directions Access Info:
The trailhead is a few hundred metres past the winter gate, on the right.
Trail info last updated
Activities Click to view
- Mountain Bike
14 trails
- E-Bike
39 trails
- Horse
7 trails
- Hike
40 trails
- Trail Running
40 trails
- Snowshoe
7 trails
- Backcountry Ski
0 trails
Region Details
- 1
- 9
- 4
Region Status
Open as of Sep 4, 2026Stats
- Avg Trail Rating
- Trails (view details)
- 40
- Trails Mountain Bike
- 14
- Trails E-Bike
- 39
- Trails Winter Fat Bike
- 1
- Trails Horse
- 7
- Trails Hike
- 40
- Trails Trail Running
- 40
- Trails Snowshoe
- 7
- Total Distance
- 79 miles
- Total Descent Distance
- 30 miles
- Total Descent
- 13,613 ft
- Total Vertical
- 3,250 ft
- Highest Trailhead
- 8,206 ft
- Reports
- 208
- Photos
- 188
- Completed Counter
- 5,804
Popular Powderface Mountain Biking Trails
• 70 ★ 3.4 • 2 miles • 316 ft • 827 •
The trail links and trails. Most people ride it from south to north, maximizing the descent/fun. From the south it climbs on a smooth, wide track that begs for a bit of head-to-head competition with your buddies. At the first "summit"...
• 60 ★ 3.8 • 4 miles • 633 ft • 390 •
This trail can be ridden in both directions. I prefer riding North to South, parking at the start of the (where hwy66 turns to a gravel road at the intersection with Little Elbow Campground). Ride up the to the intersection of the...
• 50 ★ 3.7 • 6 miles • 340 ft • 390 •
It's a pretty mellow ride, with some punchy climbs to keep it interesting. Keep a sharp eye out for trees across the trail, at least until you get East of the Trail. The trail runs quite close to the creek, and there are often some very...
• 65 ★ 2.7 • 5 miles • 1,673 ft • 382 •
The trail has a split personality. The east half is wide, mellow and almost qualifies as beginner trail. From the Powderface trailhead, the trail goes straight up what is basically a rocky jeep road. Once you're over the initial hump,...
• 55 ★ 2.5 • 4,931 ft • 66 ft • 173 •
Little piece of single track that cuts part of the road from .
• 50 ★ 5.0 • 2 miles • 18 ft • 154 • • hike
Connects the summit of with . Trail surface is a mix of single track and eroded off-camber. This trail is much less utilized than the primary climb trail, so watch for downed trees and other obstacles.
• 60 ★ 4.3 • 2 miles • 2,154 ft • 103 • • hike
Primary trail to access the summit of . This is an extremely popular hiking trail, expect foot traffic. As a mountain bike climb trail it is easy to follow, but many sections are steep and difficult to pedal. Expect to push, but the...
• 20 ★ 2.5 • 6 miles • 665 ft • 75 • • hike
This old gem makes up the return leg on the - Loop [page 91 of Backcountry Biking in the Canadian Rockies, 2nd ed.]. A mix of singletrack, doubletrack, 4x4 trail and horse track, this is backcountry riding. It's not well signed, so...
Powderface Mountain Bike Routes
★ 5.0 • 7 miles • 879 ft • 3 • Loop •
Leaves from Powderface parking lot on the NW corner of the lot. Head up and take the first intersection to...
★ 3.7 • 31 miles • 3,520 ft • 2 • Loop •
Elbow Loop is comprised of two trails: and Little Elbow. Bridges destroyed in the 2013 floods have been...
★ 4.2 • 7 miles • 884 ft • 3 • Loop •
Old school Kananaskis classic. Most people ride it clockwise to maximize the DH fun. For the experienced...
★ 4.0 • 17 miles • 2,435 ft • 4 • Loop •
- Start at Powderface parking lot - Ride on wide track to junction of - Ride up down to - Turn left onto...
13 miles • 2,245 ft • 3 • Loop •
Powderface Long Loop - to Powderface Trail to Trail
Photos of Powderface Mountain Bike
Videos of Powderface Mountain Bike
Recent Trail Reports
| status | trail | date | condition | info | user |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powderface Ridge | Sep 4, 2026 @ 8:34pm (America/Edmonton) Sep 4, 2026 | Ideal | Annam0lly | ||
| Powderface Creek | Sep 4, 2026 @ 8:33pm (America/Edmonton) Sep 4, 2026 | Ideal | Annam0lly | ||
| Prairie Creek | Aug 31, 2026 @ 10:55am (America/Creston) Aug 31, 2026 | Variable | Karen527 | ||
| Prairie Link | Aug 31, 2026 @ 10:55am (America/Creston) Aug 31, 2026 | Ideal | Karen527 | ||
| Beaver Lodge Trail | Aug 8, 2026 @ 11:46am (America/Creston) Aug 8, 2026 | Ideal | kinglis | ||
| Trail Creek Trail | Jul 19, 2026 @ 11:13am (America/Edmonton) Jul 19, 2026 | Variable | Zemu | ||
| Prairie Mountain Summit | Jul 17, 2026 @ 7:51am (America/Creston) Jul 17, 2026 | Ideal | kinglis | ||
| Prairie Mountain Backside | Jul 17, 2026 @ 7:51am (America/Creston) Jul 17, 2026 | Variable | kinglis | ||
| Powderface East Ridge Trail | Aug 13, 2025 @ 9:54pm Aug 13, 2025 | Ideal | thodder | ||
| Ford Creek Trail | Jul 26, 2025 @ 10:18am Jul 26, 2025 | Dry | Thefifelife |
Activity Feed
| username | action | type | title | date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hillbb | wishlist | route | activity #104467199 | Sep 23, 2026 @ 9:13pm 2 days |
| ctrummer | ridden | trail | activity #104311647 | Sep 21, 2026 @ 2:30pm Sep 21, 2026 |
| RhiannonSmbcVP | ridden | trail | activity #104183640 | Sep 19, 2026 @ 9:45pm Sep 19, 2026 |
| tsulmer | ridden | trail | activity #104131733 and 2 more | Sep 19, 2026 @ 9:20am Sep 19, 2026 |
| RhiannonSmbcVP | ridden | trail | activity #103956618 | Sep 16, 2026 @ 6:29pm Sep 16, 2026 |
Recent Comments
| username | type | title | comment | date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| trail | honestly a fun downhill. its a pretty steep... | Sep 14, 2026 @ 12:13pm Sep 14, 2026 | ||
| trail | Good trail for running or hiking. A few small... | May 24, 2026 @ 2:22pm May 24, 2026 | ||
| trail | Hiked from Little Elbow campsite to the lower... | May 18, 2026 @ 3:24pm May 18, 2026 | ||
| trail | Not a good trail for mountain biking. Avoid. | Aug 30, 2025 @ 8:09pm Aug 30, 2025 | ||
| trail | Great views up top, some loose rock and roots... | Aug 19, 2025 @ 2:56pm Aug 19, 2025 |
Nearby Areas
| name | distance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Elbow Provincial Recreation Area | 3 | 3.1 km | |||
| Prairie Mountain | 1 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 5.2 km |
| Station Flats | 2 | 10 | 5.9 km | ||
| Moose Mountain | 3 | 14 | 13 | 4 | 7.5 km |
| Mclean Creek Off Highway Vehicle PLUZ | 1 | 4 | 9 km |
Local Badges
-
Completionist0 awarded
Activity Type Stats
| activitytype | trails | distance | descent | descent distance | total vertical | rating | global rank | state rank | photos | reports | routes | activity logs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Bike | 14 | 55 miles | 10,240 ft | 23 miles | 2,638 ft | #4,546 | #59 | 164 | 205 | 11 | 4,615 | |
| E-Bike | 39 | 78 miles | 13,599 ft | 30 miles | 3,251 ft | #2,189 | #21 | 6 | 184 | 3 | 255 | |
| Winter Fat Bike | 1 | 8 miles | 226 ft | 2 miles | 456 ft | #2,039 | #45 | 4 | 4 | |||
| Horse | 7 | 29 miles | 4,432 ft | 13 miles | 3,225 ft | #993 | #15 | 39 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Hike | 40 | 79 miles | 13,612 ft | 30 miles | 3,251 ft | #1,068 | #13 | 18 | 208 | 1 | 2,047 | |
| Trail Running | 40 | 79 miles | 13,612 ft | 30 miles | 3,251 ft | #2,218 | #18 | 208 | 1 | 1,012 | ||
| Snowshoe | 7 | 15 miles | 1,020 ft | 3 miles | 2,936 ft | #724 | #24 | 1 | 3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
▼
What are the highest rated mountain biking trails in Powderface?
The highest rated mountain biking trails in Powderface are:
- Beaver Lodge Trail (4.1/5)
- Trail Creek Connector (4.1/5)
- Prairie Mountain Backside (4.1/5)
- Prairie Mountain Summit (4.1/5)
- Powderface Ridge (3.8/5)
▼
What is the best time of the year to ride in Powderface?
Based on activity log data, the most popular months to ride in Powderface are:
- August (70 activities)
- September (56 activities)
- July (51 activities)
▼
Where can I park to ride in Powderface?
There are 9 parking locations listed in Powderface. The most popular parking spots are: View all parking and trailhead locations on the map to plan your visit.
▼
What is the longest trail in Powderface?
The longest trail in Powderface is Ford Creek Trail at 15.3 km. View all trails sorted by distance.
▼
What are the best & highest rated hiking trails in Powderface?
The best hiking trails in Powderface are:
- Prairie Mountain Summit
- Prairie Mountain Backside
- White Buddha Route
- Prairie Mountain Trail
- Prairie Link
▼
What are the best & highest rated trail running trails in Powderface?
The best trail running trails in Powderface are: View all trail running trails sorted by popularity score.
▼
How many trails are in Powderface?
Powderface has a total of 40 trails. Of those, 14 are designated for mountain biking. Browse top mountain biking trails in Powderface to find detailed information including difficulty ratings, distances, and trail conditions.
▼
Which trail has the most elevation gain in Powderface?
The trail with the most elevation gain in Powderface is Forgetmenot Summit with 844 m of elevation gain. View all trails sorted by elevation gain.
▼
Which trail has the most elevation descent in Powderface?
The trail with the most elevation descent in Powderface is Powderface Ridge with 601 m of elevation descent. View all trails sorted by elevation descent.
▼
What activities are most popular in Powderface?
Powderface supports the following activities: Mountain Biking, E-Biking, Horseback, Hiking, Trail Running, Snowshoeing, Backcountry Skiing.
▼
What are the steepest mountain biking trails in Powderface?
The steepest mountain biking trail in Powderface is Prairie Mountain Summit with an average grade of 16.9%. View all trails sorted by grade.
▼
Are there any trails with scenic viewpoints in Powderface?
Yes, there are 2 scenic viewpoints marked along trails in Powderface. Some popular viewpoints include: Explore more points of interest to find trails with the best views.
▼
Are the trails open in Powderface?
The overall region status for Powderface is Clear / Green. Out of 21 trails:
- Clear / Green: 19
- Minor Issue / Yellow: 2
▼
Can I ride an ebike in Powderface?
Yes, Powderface supports e-bike riding. There are 39 trails in Powderface that allow e-bikes. Check the e-bike trails listing for specific trail access details and any local regulations.
▼
What are the most popular mountain biking routes in Powderface?
The most popular mountain biking routes in Powderface are: View all mountain biking routes in Powderface.
▼
What type of bike is most common in Powderface?
Based on activity log data, the most common bike types used in Powderface are:
- AM (26 activities)
- RD (4 activities)
- Fat (4 activities)
- XC (1 activities)
▼
What are the most popular Strava Segments in Powderface?
The most popular Strava segments in Powderface are:
- Unnamed Rd Climb (2,107 athletes)
- Endor(the real DH) (2,091 athletes)
- Powder Face Ripper (2,073 athletes)
▼
What are the most popular mountain biking trails in Powderface?
The most popular mountain biking trails in Powderface are: View all mountain biking trails sorted by popularity.
▼
What are the best beginner ride trails in Powderface?
The best beginner mountain biking trails in Powderface are:
- Beaver Lodge Trail (5/5)
Activities
Trails
- By pinkrobe & contributors
- Admins: BCT, MMBTS
- #8512 - 18,287 views
- powderface activity log | embed map of Powderface mountain bike trails | powderface mountain biking points of interest
Downloading of trail gps tracks in kml & gpx formats is enabled for Powderface.
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