Calgary 
The Prairie Mountain Trail, an extremely popular year-round trail which offers varying terrains and panoramic prairie and mountain views, is now open after trail upgrades.
Alberta Parks closed the trail last May for upgrades, ensuring it is safe, sustainable, and accessible for all.
The 6.6 km round-trip trail, located 45 minutes from Calgary, is situated in the Kananaskis Public Land Use Zone in the Elbow Valley.
Upgrades, costing $820,000, encompass a well-defined trailhead and improved signage to enhance safety and reduce environmental damage.
Prairie Mountain Trail is now officially designated as a provincial trail. Per the Alberta website, Provincial Trails offer sustainable recreation while facilitating the protection and management of trail infrastructure and are governed by the Public Lands Administration Regulation.
Located across Highway 66 from Elbow Falls Provincial Recreation Area, the trail has two main paths: a steep ascent and a milder incline through forests. The summit showcases breathtaking landscapes, including the Moose Mountain Fire Lookout and views of Calgary downtown. The hike is typically a 2.5-4 hour excursion.
The renovation forms part of the Alberta government’s broader strategy, the Crown Lands Trails and Tourism (CLTT) initiative, which pledges $33.7 million over seven years to enhance the trail system across the province.
“There are many incredible experiences waiting for outdoor enthusiasts along our provincial trail system, and Prairie Mountain Trail serves as a great example of what we intend to accomplish by investing in trails across Alberta. We are extremely proud of the work completed here and with other similar trail projects this year,” said Todd Loewen, Minister of Forestry and Parks, in a news release announcing the opening of the trail.
Furthermore, a substantial $211.3 million is allocated over three years to augment recreation and accessibility in parks and public lands.
The old trail was 6km+. The new trail is 7km+ due to added switchbacks where the steeper sections used to be.