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13.2 miles
Distance
1,604 ft
Climb
-406 ft
Descent
03:31:12
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
03:31:12
Avg time
Big Elbow Details
-
Activities
- Mountain Bike
- E-Bike
- Horse
- Hike
- Trail Running
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Riding AreaElbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park
Kananaskis Village, Alberta -
Difficulty Rating
-
Local Popularity85 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 85 in E-Biking
- 75 in Trail Running
- 65 in Hiking
- 5 in Horseback
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Global Ranking#39497 in Mountain Biking [+]
- #16369 in E-Biking
- #1405 in Trail Running
- #41606 in Hiking
- #843 in Horseback
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Trail TypeMixed
-
Bike TypeAM, XC, Fat
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DirectionBoth Directions
-
Climb DifficultyBlue
-
Physical RatingModerate
-
SeasonMay-September
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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
- 10 rides
- 19 miles avg distance
All
- 98 rides
- Last: Aug 23, 2026
| c1 | c2 | c3 | c4 |
|---|---|---|---|
January | February | March | April |
May | June | July | August |
September | October | November | December |
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.
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- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
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- < 50%
- bi-directional trail
- no data
Trail Last Ridden
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- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
- < 6 months
- > 6 months
Trail Ridden Direction
The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
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- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
- One Direction
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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.
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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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Directions to big-elbow trailhead
(50.791320, -114.858400)
Photos
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Videos
1 more »
mtb
32:48 |
176 |
Apr 16, 2025 , Kananaskis Village
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11 Reviews & Comments
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Nearby Trails
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Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park
- By rockymountainradio
& contributors - #94965 - 14,910 views
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