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Hiking Memorial Lakes - panoramic view
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Hiking in the Memorial Lakes: trails, map and practical info

Canadian Rockies • Alberta

Honour World War I soldiers while hiking 8 km and 1,200 m elevation gain through Alberta's Canadian Rockies. This challenging 5-hour trail connects three memorial lakes, blending historical significance with pristine mountain scenery near Kananaskis Village.

François Dumaine
François DumaineUpdated Oct 6, 2026
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8 km
Distance
4h30
Duration
825 m
Elevation
Difficulty
Hard
Max altitude
2,240 m
Dogs
Allowed
Recommended for :
Intermediate hikers

Ready to explore Memorial Lakes? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

Discover the trail

1 community photos

Photos: Paul T Ellison — CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Trail description

Update 'At 8 kilometers with 1,200 meters of elevation gain' to reflect accurate distance/elevation: 'The route ranges from approximately 17 to 23 kilometers return depending on which of the three lakes is your destination, with elevation gain ranging from 599 to 825 meters.' Also update '5-hour' estimate - this appears inflated for these distances. Recommend revising to 6-8 hour range based on difficulty and distance.

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The Essential Hiking Checklist

Everything you need for your next hike. Bilingual, printable, 1 page.

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Recommended gear for this trail

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LGPO Pick
Elixir Tour Mid WP
Salomon
Elixir Tour Mid WP
4.5 (2847 reviews)
Waterproof mid-height boot ideal for rocky terrain
203.38 $
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Best Value
Trail Ergo Cork
Black Diamond
Trail Ergo Cork
4.4 (1456 reviews)
Comfortable cork grip for long ascents
69.99 $
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Actik Core 625
Petzl
Actik Core 625
4.6 (1893 reviews)
USB rechargeable with 600 lumens for early starts
103.95 $
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Most Popular
Wide Mouth 1L
Nalgene
Wide Mouth 1L
4.8 (12540 reviews)
Unbreakable and BPA-free — a hiking essential
23.11 $
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Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
Daylite Plus 20L
4.7 (3215 reviews)
Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
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Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
Memorial Lakes, Alberta T0L 2C0, Canada
GPS coordinates
50.9214955, -115.2377132
Phone
Not available

Starting Point

To get to the start of the trails at the memorial lakes in Alberta, take Highway 40 south from Calgary to the Kananaskis Village turnoff. Take the turnoff and drive west for about 10 km until you reach the signed parking area for the lakes.

When?

Opening hours
From sunrise to sunset
Varies by season
Best season
Fall
Spectacular colors
Best time
Early morning
Less crowded
Weather (next days)
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How much?

Entry fees
Adult
Not available
Child
—
What to bring?

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Gear
Download the PDF checklist
Water & food
2L minimum
No water point on the trail
Bring energy snacks for a 4h+ hike
Good to know
Park rules
Dogs allowed
Safety
Download the GPX before you go
Limited cellular coverage on the trail
Slippery after rain
Be careful on rocky sections
In an emergency
Emergency
911
Parking GPS
50.9214955, -115.2377132
Center
Not available

Hikers' opinions

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FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Memorial Lakes is rated hard.
The elevation gain of Memorial Lakes is 825 m.
The summit of Memorial Lakes is at 2,240 m.
Allow about 4h30 for Memorial Lakes (8 km).
Yes, dogs are allowed at Memorial Lakes.
No, Memorial Lakes has no visitor centre on site.
To reach the Memorial Lakes trailhead in Kananaskis, take Highway 40 south from Calgary to the Kananaskis Village area. Head to the Ribbon Creek day-use parking area, which is the official trailhead. From here, follow the Ribbon Creek trail or Kovach Trail for the first 4.0 km, then follow cairns leading right at the second Ribbon Creek junction. Verify current road conditions before your visit.
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Update : October 2026