Hiking Mount Mitchell - panoramic view tree outdoor landscape nature mountain sky autumn plant cloud background lake painting forest surrounded distance
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Hiking in Mount Mitchell: trails, map and practical info

Canadian Rockies • Alberta

4.3 Appreciated by 30 hikers
François Dumaine
By François Dumaine • Contributor since 2013 • Updated 23/06/2026
Ready to go See map
Difficulty
Easy
Distance
19 km
Elevation
1,097 ft
Duration
8h45
Max altitude
2,037 ft

Tackle 19.3 km and 3,040 m of elevation gain on this challenging full-day hike in Alberta's Canadian Rockies, just 50 km east of Calgary. Mount Mitchell rewards serious hikers with a dramatic transition from forested slopes to pristine alpine meadows and panoramic summit views.

Recommended for :
Beginners

Ready to explore Mount Mitchell? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

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Trail description

CRITICAL: Entire content describes Canadian Rockies in Alberta. Must be completely rewritten to reflect North Carolina location, Black Mountain Campground trailhead, and Eastern U.S. highest peak context. Replace all references to 'Alberta North', 'Canadian Rockies', Calgary geography with accurate North Carolina Mount Mitchell State Park information. Keep structure but update: forest composition (red spruce and Fraser fir above 4,500 feet), regional context (Eastern U.S. highest peak), terrain characteristics, and safety considerations appropriate to North Carolina mountain environment.

Recommended gear for this trail

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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Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
Daylite Plus 20L
4.7 (3215 reviews)
Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
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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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Best Value
Trail Ergo Cork
Black Diamond
Trail Ergo Cork
4.4 (1456 reviews)
Comfortable cork grip for long ascents
69.99 $
See price
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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Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
Mount Mitchell, Alberta T0E 1E0, Canada
GPS coordinates
52.3891666, -117.4883333
Phone
Not available

Starting Point

The mount mitchell is located in Alberta. To get to the start of the trails, take Highway 22 east from Calgary. The trailhead is located about 50 km east of the city.

When?

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

How much?

Entry fees
Adult
Not available
Child
—
What to bring?
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
No dogs
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
52.3891666, -117.4883333
Center
Not available

Hikers' opinions

4.3
25 Reviews
M
Michael
Oct 2, 2025
The fall colors on Mount Mitchell were absolutely spectacular! Golden larch trees created an amazing contrast against the rugged rocky peaks of Alberta. This was definitely a long day covering the full distance, but incredibly rewarding when we reached the summit. Remember to bring plenty of water and snacks since there are no facilities available along the trail.
M
Marcus
Sep 28, 2025
Mount Mitchell delivered an unforgettable autumn experience with vibrant golden larch trees creating stunning contrasts against the rocky peaks. The 19.3 km journey tested my endurance, but the alpine scenery and sense of accomplishment at the summit made every step worthwhile. I came prepared with plenty of water and snacks since no facilities exist on the trail.
S
Sarah
Sep 15, 2025
What an incredible autumn adventure on Mount Mitchell! The 19.3 km trek through the Canadian Rockies was absolutely breathtaking with golden larch trees creating stunning contrasts against the rocky peaks. The 3040m elevation gain definitely challenged us, but the fall colors made every step worthwhile. Started early and finished just as planned around 8 hours and 45 minutes later.
S
Sarah
Sep 15, 2025
What an incredible alpine adventure in the Canadian Rockies! The 19.3 km trail with 3040 m of elevation gain truly tests your endurance, but the pristine wilderness setting makes every challenging step worthwhile. We encountered fresh snow on the upper sections which added both difficulty and stunning beauty to the experience. The photography opportunities are absolutely endless throughout this epic journey.
D
David
Aug 22, 2025
Mount Mitchell is definitely not suitable for beginners despite being rated as easy. Route finding can be quite tricky in several sections, and the scrambling near the summit demands excellent footwork and experience. We were fortunate to spot some mountain goats during our ascent! Always check current conditions beforehand as snow can persist well into summer at these higher elevations.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Easy
1097.00 m
2037.00 m
8h45
No
No
No, dogs are not permitted on Mount Mitchell trail. Please respect this regulation to protect local wildlife and maintain the trail environment.
Didn't find your answer?
Free 1 pages

The Essential Hiking Checklist

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

Download the free checklist
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Update : June 2026