Complete List of Hiking Trails Open During G7 in Kananaskis

World leaders descend on Kananaskis this summer as Canada assumes the G7 presidency. 

The summit lasts from June 15 to 17, 2025, but some of the road and trail closures that surround it begin much earlier and will end well after the summit.

Luckily, the area is bursting with trails, and hiking is still very possible throughout all the closures.

Before getting into which trails are open, and which are closed, let’s first talk about the Controlled Access Zone.  

What is the Controlled Access Zone?

An area around Kananaskis Village will become a Controlled Access Zone (CAZ) for the G7 between June 10-18, 2025. 

Anyone entering by car will have to go through checkpoints along Highway 40, but not everyone is permitted— and any trails within this zone will be completely closed. 

Residents, local businesses, and G7 officials can enter. Highway 40 crosses into the zone in the north and south, so definitely expect checkpoints and delays on those boundaries.

Businesses will need to apply for accreditation to go through the zone. But, for the average person, the RCMP has said commuting through the CAZ is not a valid reason for access.

The CAZ boundaries start at Mount Lorette Ponds in the north and the Galatea parking lot in the south. So, unless you’re a business or live in that area with proper accreditation, Highway 40 will be closed between those two points. 

The CAZ extends to the eastern ridges of Kananaskis Valley to the east, and the western boundary is Highway 742 — Spray Lakes Trail. However, unlike Highway 40, this road will remain open. 

Hikes within that area are out of bounds for those nine days. The good news is that if you stay out of that area, you’re golden. 

What Will Be Closed, and When?

Between June 10 and June 18, any hikes inside the CAZ zone will be off-limits. 

Trailheads that fall partially within the CAZ will be open up to its boundary. For example, some of the Chester Lake Trail and Rummel Lake Trail are only doable up to that point. 

We’re unsure how the RCMP will enforce the partial closures of these trails, but we guess there will be temporary fencing or signs set up when the trail crosses into the CAZ boundary. 

The Mount Lorette Ponds, Galatea Creek, and Beaver Ponds are closed from June 6 - 20.

And other closures are much earlier.  Kovach Pond shuts down on March 10 and will reopen on July 31. Nakiska Ski Area shuts from April 22 until July 30, and Troll Falls trail from May 20 to June 20. 

Which Hiking Trails Will Be Open?

Trails — and trailhead parking lots — are open on all sides of the access zone, so you can certainly still hike during G7 if you keep out of the zone itself. 

Just remember a Kananaskis conservation pass is required if getting to the trailhead by car.  If we had to put money on it, we’d guess enforcement of this pass will be fairly tight during the G7.  

Northern Trails

Just north of the CAZ lie the numerous creeks, lakes, and mountains surrounding Lac Des Arcs and Dead Man’s Flats. 

With routes here often starting from the Bow Valley Trail or highway, there are plenty of straightforward trailheads to choose from.

Some just north of the CAZ are still closed, though. Pigeon Mountain is closed until summer to protect elk and bighorn sheep. Stoney Trail is also closed from April 15 to June 15.

Barrier Lake 

• Beginner, 7.7km

• The Barrier Lake trail is a relatively easy hike alongside the lake. Begin on the Prairie View Trail, where parking is available, off Kananaskis Trail. 

Barrier Lake Interpretive

• Beginner, 5km

• This alternative lakeside route starts on the south side of the lake rather than the north, by Barrier Lake Campground. It is a little easier and ends at a hilltop viewpoint. 

Yates Mountain

• Difficult, 12km

• The Yates Mountain route takes hikers alongside Barrier Lake before tackling the summit. It again begins on the Prairie View Trail, off Kananaskis Trail. 

Heart Mountain

• Difficult, 4.7km

• To summit Heart Mountain, start at the Bow Valley Provincial Recreation Area parking lot in Lac Des Arcs, off the Trans-Canada Highway.

Heart Creek

• Beginner to intermediate, 4km

• For a more relaxing walk than scaling the mountain, start from the same place and take the Bow Valley Trail and Heart Creek Trail to a small waterfall.

Mount McGillivray

• Difficult, 12.4km

• A walk on the Trans-Canada Trail precedes a long scramble to the peak. Begin at the TCT Access trail and parking lot off the Trans-Canada Highway.

McGillvary Creek

• Intermediate, 4.5km

• This boulder-strewn creek walk starts at the same trailhead, just off the highway near Gap Lake. 

Highline Trail

• Beginner, 8km

• The Highline Trail goes from Three Sisters Village on a woodland route up to Canmore’s Grassi Lakes.

Southern Trails

Below the Galatea boundary of the CAZ, much of Spray Valley and Peter Lougheed parkland remains open for exploring.

Commonwealth Peak

• Difficult, 8km

• For a challenging summit with scrambling, take the Burstall Pass Trail and climb the striking Commonwealth Peak. It starts at the Burstall Pass parking lot off Spray Lakes Road. 

Chester Lake

• Intermediate, 9.5km

• This lake trail, with an option to turn off and summit Mount Chester, starts at Chester Lake parking lot just below the CAZ, off Highway 742. 

Burstall Lake

• Intermediate, 9km

• Also handily beginning off Highway 742 near Chester Lake parking, this route passes several lakes, and is a good one for snowshoes in wintry conditions.

Opal Ridge

• Difficult, 8km

• This steep hike starts and ends at the Opal Ridge trailhead parking lot, off Kananaskis Trail. Hikers scramble up the summit and back, rewarded with views over the valley.

Sawmill Snowshoe Loop

• Intermediate, 5km

• If you fancy dusting off your snowshoes instead of your walking boots, this loop trail starts at the Sawmill Day Use trailhead off the 742.

Western Trails

As the Spray Lake Reservoir makes up the CAZ boundary, any of the trails on the west side of this are all yours to explore. 

Old Goat Glacier

• Difficult in winter, 9.3km

• Start from a trailhead parking lot on West Side Road to walk to the glacier.

Mount Nestor

• Difficult, 22.7km

• A very long walk, much more do-able as a bike ride, takes you alongside the lake before a challenging hike up Nestor. Start at Spray Lakes West Campground.

Goat Creek

• Intermediate due to length, 19km

• Again a long but easy walk, often done on bike or skis, the Goat Creek Trail will take you from Canmore to Banff.

High Rockies to Goat Pond

• Beginner, 3km

• Begin on the Goat Creek trailhead again, and follow the trail to the High Rockies route. This will let you see the west of the Spray Lakes, even though its eastern routes are closed. 

Eastern Trails

Some of the more challenging mountain climbs lie east of the G7’s zone.

O'Shaughnessy Falls

• Beginner, 0.2km

• A short sightseeing excursion, not a hike, this waterfall is just off a parking area on Kananaskis Trail.

Mount Baldy

• Difficult, 5.3km

• This hike takes you to both the west and south peaks, with exposed ridge sections. Start near O'Shaughnessy Falls Kananaskis Trail. For experts, try the more difficult and technical scramble route.

Wasootch Creek 

• Intermediate, 13km

• The Wasootch Creek trail follows the creek bed, and is a good snowshoe trail in snowy conditions. The trailhead is just off Kananaskis Trail.

Wasootch Tower

• Difficult and technical, 5.1km

• Starting on the Wasootch Creek Trail, you can then turn off for this climbing option, which requires ropes.

Other Resources

No car?  No problem. Check out our guide on Canmore Hikes You Can Do Without A Car.

Want to stay away from the CAZ altogether?  Check out our guide on Tunnel Mountain vs Sulphur Mountain to find out which Banff hike is better.