West Bragg Creek Day Use Area — Attraction in Alberta

The hike we did was not overly challenging or technical but it did have a lot of elevation variation over the 15km Telephone Loop trail - by the end of the 4 hours we definitely felt the effort. This is a popular biking area so we had a number of them to contend with in the first few km but for most of the time out we saw very few other people. The trail does make use of an old access road for a large portion, but the road is fairly overgrown and still provides nice access to largely undisturbed forest - it doesn't appear as though many people go up for the full loop and the experience of solitude and silence is unique from other hikes we've done in the area. Several deer, lots of butterflies and some very picturesque viewpoints and bridges along the route. Nearer the end of the loop are some picnic tables and easy river access about 1km from the parking lot. Several trails in the area and this was out first time exploring - we plan to return.

A few notes to mention - 1km out from the parking lot you pass into the Kananaskis recreation area zone, making this a pay per use area, although you could probably park along the newly paved road and walk in. There is also no cell service at the lot, or for most of the trail length, despite the proximity to Bragg Creek. Take the opportunity to download a trail map before you arrive. There are several area trail maps posted, but the area is congested at points with various options to proceed - GPS...

Trails for every skill level and type of user at this location less than an hour by car from Calgary. The parking lot has been quadrupled in size in recent years, and paved as well. There's a separate parking lot for equestrian users. There are also washrooms. There is only one parking spot for handicapped users, at the West end of the lot, but usually there are many empty spaces one could use if needed.

Access to the east entrance of telephone loop trail from the parking lot is problematic for wheelchair users or adaptive bike users due to all the parking lot cement blocks with only narrow spaces between them. Look for the big metal dumpsters near the Western and of the parking lot to find a way through onto the trail.

Another note for adaptive bike users: telephone loop is most certainly not a green trail, as there are endless short steep slopes both up and down, with substantial cross slope in places. A better choice for these users would be...

Wanted to do a easy to moderate hike near Calgary on our way back from Kananaskis. Stopped in Bragg Creek for a coffee and decided to visit West Bragg Creek - just a few KMs away. Easy to find the trailheads and lots of parking. There are several trials for horses, mountain biking and hiking in the summer - we did a loop in the south area - about 8 KM. A lot of it was wet/mucky and well tromped on by horses - and a lot of their droppings so not the nicest path to navigate. Not much in the way of scenery (Ie: we didn't find any streams, vistas). Looks like it might be a great spot for winter...