Exciting things are happening in Alberta’s backcountry! These areas, also known as Public Land Use Zones, are separate from the Provincial and National Park backcountry areas, and are usually maintained (trails, camping areas, outhouses) by volunteers. Over the past year or two, Alberta’s dedicated backcountry volunteers have helped improve several parts of these beautiful PLUZ regions. Among those improvements and upgrades was a ton of work put into improving trails and trail access across Western Alberta. With all of those recent upgrades, the summer and fall of this year make for a perfect time to get out, go hiking or biking, and explore the best of Alberta’s PLUZ trails.
About Alberta’s PLUZs
Alberta has 18 Public Land Use Zones (PLUZs), with three of those open for specific activities. Those three PLUZs include McLean Creek for off-highway vehicles, Whitecourt for cross-country skiing, and Sibbald for snowmobiling. The remaining PLUZs in Alberta are open for a wide array of warm-weather recreation, such as camping, hiking, canoeing or kayaking, cycling, horseback riding, and mountain biking.
- Livingstone
- Porcupine Hills
- Kananaskis Country
- Cataract Creek
- Ghost
- Dormer/Sheep
- Panther Corners
- Kiska/Wilson
- Upper Clearwater/Ram
- Job/Cline
- Blackstone/Wapiabi
- Coal Branch
- Brule Lake
- Athabasca Ranch
Star Creek Falls (Livingstone PLUZ)
As one of the hiking trails in Alberta’s Public Lands to have received recent upgrades, and as a trail which offers amazing views around Crowsnest Pass, the Star Creek Falls trail is a must-hike Alberta trail. The Star Creek Falls trail creates a 2.1km loop south of Coleman and the Crowsnest Highway. Along the simple hikes are mountain and valley views, and great viewing areas for the Star Creek Falls.
Trailhead location: end of 54 Street, Coleman
Powderface Creek Trail (Kananaskis PLUZ)
K-Country’s Powderface Creek Trail is a moderate mountain hike that begins at the Powderface Staging Area and has received recent upgrades. The improved Powderface Creek Trail follows the creek for about 6km to create a 12km out-and-back hike, or shorter if you choose. The trail begins in the Elbow Falls Recreation Area, where there are beautiful views of the waterfall and the Elbow River in general before you head up Powderface.
Trailhead location: 23km west of Bragg Creek on AB-66
Kinglet Lake Trail (Job/Cline PLUZ)
The Bighorn Backcountry region of Alberta covers several different PLUZs, including the Job/Cline region. Alberta’s Bighorn region is arguably one of the top hiking areas in the province, or the Alberta Rockies. And now, with a few recent improvements made to the trailhead areas, the Bighorn Backcountry trails are a bit more convenient to use. The Kinglet Lake trail is one of those areas to receive upgrades like new information kiosks, outhouses, garbage bins, and wayfinding signage. The Kinglet Lake trail is the type of hike where all the tough climbing becomes instantly worth it once you arrive at the Kinglet Lake destination. Travel 10km out-and-back to get awesome views of the pristine Kinglet Lake.
Trailhead location: David Thompson Highway, Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve
Coral Creek (Kiska/Wilson)
Enjoy the upgrades around the Coral Creek Staging Area, including outhouses, maps, and signage, before you choose one of many possible Coral Creek routes. The 6.5km loop, which follows the creek for half of the way, makes a great moderate hike around the canyon. During spring, the wildflowers along the trail are in full bloom, and the blue waters of Coral Creek rush with higher intensity than in summer or fall. But both of those seasons also offer great reasons to hit the Coral Creek trails, including the foliage as it changes from lush greens to yellows and reds.
Trailhead location: Coral Creek White Goat Staging Area, David Thompson Highway (beside the Cline River Bridge)
Coliseum (Kiska/Wilson)
The Coliseum Trail and staging area are accessible from theDavid Thompson Highway, but to the northeast of the Kinglet Staging Area and closer to Nordegg. But just as with the Kinglet Lake staging area, the Coliseum Staging Area also received improvements like the maps and kiosks, outhouses, and garbage bins. From here, take your pick from several hike options that include challenging climbs up Coliseum Mountain or easier trails around the mountain’s base. The 10km loop up and down Coliseum Mountain offers expansive foothill and mountain views from the top. The easier trails loop around the Shunda Creek and campground to create routes that range from 1.5-6km.
Trailhead location: Eagle Drive & Juniper Trail, Clearwater County
Turtle Mountain Trail (Livingstone PLUZ)
Turtle Mountain sits to the south of the Crowsnest Highway and within the southern part of the Livingstone PLUZ. It is part of a long line of historical sites along AB-3, which, for the most part, centres around Alberta’s mining history. The Turtle Mountain trail, while a lengthy climb and challenge at 7.4km up and down the mountain, offers sweeping views of the Crowsnest region with foothills, the river, mountains, and the landslide site below. The Frank Slide, one of the province’s most infamous tragedies, was a result of a rockslide on Turtle Mountain, which buried the town of Frank. Learn all about the Frank Slide before or after your hike at the Interpretive Centre. There are many other trails around the base of Turtle Mountain, which are not as much of a challenge.
Trailhead Location: 15 Avenue, Blairmore (south side of AB-3)
North York Creek Plane Crash
The trail which leads to the site of a mountain plane crash in the Livingstone PLUZ begins near the Crowsnest Highway and will eventually bring hikers to the Castle Wildland Provincial Park. This is the longest trail listed, but it creates a unique afternoon and destination for your hike and time on the trail. Start early in the day, as it will be 20km out-and-back. The 500m elevation gain is gradual as the route makes its way around Mount McLaren. Be aware of other trail users, as this route is open to bikes, e-bikes, horseback riding, and OHV use.
Trailhead Location: follow 81 Street south from Coleman
Livingstone Details
Porcupine Hills Ridge (Porcupine Hills PLUZ)
These hidden gem trails in the Porcupine Hills do not receive quite as much foot traffic as other, more popular southwestern Alberta trails. However, the views from the Porcupine Ridge offer some of Alberta’s best scenery, all in one sweeping vista. The trail offers the choice between a moderate 4km hike around the ridge or an extended trail that doubles the trail distance.
Trailhead Location: Use AB-22 to access 520; from 520, follow East Trout Creek Road north
Lesueur Ridge Trail (Ghost PLUZ)
There are dozens of tough and challenging trails around the southern Ghost PLUZ. These include trails that traverse mountains and offer stunning views of southern Alberta from the peaks. However, those looking for a moderate trail in the area can find it with the Lesueur Ridge trail options: the short loop at 6km total, or the longer 8km loop. From the ground to the skies there will be plenty to watch for or photograph on the Lesueur Ridge, like birds or larger wildlife, wildflower blooms in spring, colourful foliage in the fall, or sunsets over the Rockies.
Trailhead Location: Township Rd 265A via AB-40,
Racehorse Creek Trails (Livingstone PLUZ)
The Cowboy Trail, or AB-40, runs north to south through the Livingstone PLUZ and is dotted with dozens of trailheads. Most of the hiking trails from AB-40 are challenging climbs, save for those around the Racehorse Creek Provincial Recreation Area. From here, there is a quick and simple 2.5km out-and-back trail which follows the creek. There are also the options to climb up Racehorse Creek Hill from a trailhead to the south. The 5km loop offers stunning mountain and foothill scenery almost the entire way, as well as from the top of the hill.
Trailhead Location: Hwy 940, Cowley