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13.2 miles
Distance
1,604 ft
Climb
-406 ft
Descent
03:52:10
Avg time
1,198 ft
Altitude change
5,296 ft
Altitude min
6,560 ft
Altitude max
5,322 ft
Altitude start
6,522 ft
Altitude end
1.7%
Grade
-28.6%
Grade max
41%
Grade min
9 miles
Distance climb
3 miles
Distance down
1 mile
Distance flat
03:52:10
Avg time
Big Elbow Details
-
Activities
- Mountain Bike
- E-Bike
- Horse
- Hike
- Trail Running
-
Riding AreaElbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park
Kananaskis Village, Alberta -
Difficulty Rating
-
Local Popularity85 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 75 in E-Biking
- 70 in Trail Running
- 60 in Hiking
- 5 in Horseback
-
Global Ranking#84289 in Mountain Biking [+]
- #83903 in E-Biking
- #159313 in Trail Running
- #120924 in Hiking
- #1050 in Horseback
-
Provincial Ranking#1,255 in Mountain Biking · Alberta [+]
- #784 in E-Biking
- #3,231 in Trail Running
- #2,100 in Hiking
- #18 in Horseback
-
Trail TypeMixed
-
Bike TypeAM, XC, Fat
-
DirectionBoth Directions
-
Climb DifficultyBlue
-
Physical RatingModerate
-
SeasonMay-September
-
Dogs AllowedYes
-
eBike AllowedYes up to Class 1
-
TTFs on TrailBridge
-
Land OwnerAlberta Environment and Parks
The section of trail between the trailhead and the Big Elbow campground is an easier track, while the next section is mixed terrain that can be steep in sections.
This trail is part of loop starting at Little Elbow Trailhead going (clockwise) to Big Elbow, Tombstone, Mount Romulus. The Elbow Loop route typically starts on Little Elbow, proceeding counter clockwise to Big Elbow.
Access Info
Park at Little Elbow provincial park trailhead parking.
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
Recent Activity on Trail
Past Week
- 0 rides
6 Months
- 20 rides
- 21 miles avg distance
All
- 108 rides
- Last: Oct 8, 2026
Big Elbow Trail Reports
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Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Partial
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
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The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
- > 96%
- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
- > 50%
- < 50%
- bi-directional trail
- no data
Trail Last Used
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- < 2 days
- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
- < 6 months
- > 6 months
Trail Ridden Direction
The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
- Downhill Only
- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
- One Direction
Contribute Details
Colors indicate trail is missing specified detail.
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- Description & Photos
- Videos
Trail Popularity ?
Trailforks scans activity logs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months.
Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades.
Think of this as a heatmap, more activities = more kinetic energy = warmer colors.
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Trails are colored based on popularity. The more popular a trail is, the more red. Less popular trails trend towards green.
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BC Backroad Status
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Service Road Atlas is a free to use, community-driven service for viewing and creating reports on the numerous back-country service roads around B.C. and Alberta.
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Directions to big-elbow trailhead
(50.791320, -114.858400)
Photos
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Videos
1 more »
mtb
32:48 |
299 |
Apr 16, 2025 , Kananaskis Village
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46 miles • 4,531 ft • 2 • Point to Point •
Day 2 GravelFest2021 - Sibbald Lake to Boulton Creek
11 Reviews & Comments
excel
Do it counter-clockwise or you will push up all the loose, chunky technical downs of Big Elbow, and descend the non-technical gravel road that is Little Elbow (sad noises).
mcamyott
Rode the loop clockwise starting with big elbow. Big elbow should be rated a blue. The trail starts off fairly easy , but the last 7 km we found ourselves pushing our non E-bikes up the very steep inclines constantly. This is a deceiving green rated trail. The last 7km is do-able on a regular heavy mountain bike , but it is a real leg burner.
kt210
Clear and in perfect condition. There are now bridges at all the river crossings.
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Nearby Trails
- Ford Creek Trail 1,470 ft
- Ford Knoll 1,811 ft
- Little Elbow 3,291 ft
- Little Elbow To Wildhorse 3 miles
- Powderface Ridge 4 miles
Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park
- By rockymountainradio
& contributors - #94965 - 15,179 views
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