Description

Distance: 10.09km
Elevation Gain: 810m
Trail Character: Variable Trail (Short exposed scrambling section)
Trail Type: Loop
Parking: Tent Ridge Horseshoe Trail Head

The Tent Ridge Horseshoe is a true classic trail run in the Canadian Rockies. The views along the trail are excellent, offering a great perspective of Spray Lakes and a magnificent view of the east face of Mount Assiniboine. The alpine meadows are lovely, adding to the scenic beauty of the hike.

The loop is best done in a clockwise direction, as there is a steep scrambling section to gain the east ridge, which is more fun to go up than down. If you’re not comfortable with the scramble section, it’s better to determine this at the start on the way up rather than trying to get off the ridge. By Canadian standards, it would be considered moderate scrambling. The route is very straightforward to follow as the trail is well-worn and stays on top of the ridge crest the whole time. Follow the road south for approximately 200 meters from the parking lot to find the trailhead.

Despite Tent Ridge offering a straightforward trail running experience, the route is very exposed to weather, and many people seem to get caught in thunderstorms. For this reason, it’s important to check the weather forecast, start early, and finish early, as thunderstorms generally occur in the afternoon.