In southern Alberta, not far from Calgary and Banff, lies the legendary Kananaskis Country. Due to the wild landscape, extensive forests, and mountain slopes of the Rocky Mountains, horses have always been the most popular means of transportation here. The riding tour begins in the foothills south of Bragg Creek at a ranch at an altitude of 1,350 meters. The area is characterized by sparse pine, fir, and poplar forests, which you will explore on narrow cattle trails during the first two days. From an idyllically located camp in Elbow Valley, you will then ride to spectacular destinations such as Box Canyon, the narrow Cougar Cap Gorge, and cross Tombstone Pass. Many wild animals call this region home: bighorn sheep, mountain goats, mules, white deer, pumas, black bears, and grizzlies. Encounters with these rare and shy wild animals are a very special experience!

Accommodation is either in the camp with a campfire or in the lodge. The lodge offers approx. 6 rooms (double/single) with 2 bathrooms and a large lounge with dining table and sofa area.
Meals at the ranch are freshly cooked using regional ingredients. In the camp, food is freshly prepared over the campfire – delicious after a day in the saddle! Please note that for all tours, local conditions such as increased grizzly bear activity or unfavorable weather may necessitate a change in the tour itinerary. However, the riding trails are always scenic and secluded. Some of the trails are very narrow and steep and may require the horses to be led for a short distance.

Itinerary

Kananaskis Country Explorer (7 days):

Day 1: Arrival in Calgary and transfer to Bragg Creek (approx. 1 hour drive). Meet and greet at the ranch, where you will meet the guides and your fellow riders. Dinner and overnight stay in the ranch guest house.

Day 2: A hearty breakfast is served in the guest house at around 8:00 a.m. You will then be assigned “your” horse for the week and receive instruction in Western riding. Western and endurance saddles are available (depending on the type of horse). If the group has more than 3 riders, pack horses and riding groups will go separate ways. This gives riders the opportunity to enjoy the trotting and galloping stretches more. The trail starts directly from the ranch heading southwest, crossing Fisher Creek, which can be quite exciting when the water level is high. A dense pine forest flanks Mesa Butte, one of the higher mountains in the foothills, often completely obscuring the narrow trails. The view from the exposed plateau is the highlight of the day. Descend to Threepoint Creek, 300 meters below, then ride through the valley to the first camp. Dinner is freshly prepared over the campfire and tastes twice as good.

Day 3: After leaving camp, pack horses and riding groups go in different directions, as the trail would be difficult for a loaded horse to navigate. It is 4 km to the start of the Hogsback Trail, where you can trot and gallop. Around noon, you will reach Threepoint Canyon. From there, the trail continues over the 2,200 m high Forgetmenot Ridge, where you can take a long lunch break on the green slopes and marvel at the mountain panorama to the west and the vastness of the prairie to the east. The descent is steep and difficult to find and is a challenge for many riders. However, the horses master it with ease, like mountain goats. Balanced and sure-footed, they master every terrain!
In the late afternoon, you will reach another highlight of the day's stage and enjoy the view of the valley 300 m below you and the mountains all around. Now it's down to the camp near the river, where those who wish can take a refreshing dip.

Days 4 and 5: The camp on the Elbow River is your base camp for the next two days. Day rides to Box Canyon and through Cougar Gap are on the program. Box Canyon is a relatively short but very impressive ride. A steep and long climb leads to a high plateau that invites you to enjoy a refreshing gallop. The “Cougar Gap” is a long and exciting ride, off the trails and only suitable for safe trail horses. The riding pace is calm in the mountains, but the terrain is challenging. However, the horses are extremely sure-footed and will get you safely to your destination.

Day 6: You leave the camp and ride along the crystal-clear river, surrounded by forests and mountains, through the valley until you reach a small parking lot around noon: the first sign of civilization after a week in nature! There, the pack horses are loaded while you continue on to Powderface Ridge. After a relatively steep climb to the mountain pastures, you will have a magnificent view of the area you have ridden through over the last five days. Partly snow-covered peaks, forests, and the Ellbow River winding idyllically through the valley. On a clear day, you can even see Calgary shimmering in the distance. After lunch at this fantastic location, you will ascend to the summit and then descend through forests to a small parking lot. There, horses and riders will be loaded up and returned to the ranch. The horses will be released into the freedom of the vast pastures to rejoin their herd and enjoy their rest.
After a well-deserved and warm shower, a convivial farewell dinner is served in the ranch's guest house. Freshly prepared with regional ingredients, there is a wide choice of dishes. The evening comes to a cozy end.

Day 7: After a magnificent breakfast, it's time to say goodbye. Return transfer to Calgary.

Continental Divide (10 days):

Day 1: Arrival in Calgary and transfer to Bragg Creek (approx. 1 hour drive). Meet and greet at the ranch, where you will get to know the guides and your fellow riders. Dinner and overnight stay in the ranch guest house.

Day 2: Breakfast in the guest house at around 8 a.m. Horse allocation and introduction to Western riding. Western and endurance saddles are available (depending on the type of horse). The trail starts directly from the ranch heading southwest, crossing Fisher Creek, which can be quite exciting when the water level is high. A dense pine forest flanks Mesa Butte, one of the higher mountains in the foothills, often completely obscuring the narrow trails. The view from the exposed plateau is the highlight of today's tour. Descent to Threepoint Creek, 300 m below, then a brisk ride through the valley to the first camp. Dinner is freshly prepared over the campfire.

Day 3: After leaving camp, pack horses and riding group go in different directions, as the trail would be difficult for a loaded horse to navigate. It is 4 km to the start of the Hogsback Trail, with plenty of opportunities for trotting and galloping. Around noon, you will reach the Threepoint Gorge. From there, the trail continues over the 2,200 m high Forgetmenot Ridge, where you can take a long lunch break on the green slopes and marvel at the mountain panorama to the west and the vastness of the prairie to the east. The descent is steep and difficult to find and is a challenge for many riders. However, the horses master this with ease, like mountain goats. Balanced and sure-footed, they can handle any terrain!
In the late afternoon, you will reach another highlight of the day's stage and enjoy the view of the valley 300 m below you and the mountains all around. Now it's down to the camp near the river, where you can take a refreshing dip.

Days 4 and 5: The camp on the Elbow River is your base camp for the next two days. Day rides to Box Canyon and through Cougar Gap are on the program. Box Canyon is a relatively short but very impressive ride. A steep and long climb leads to a high plateau that invites you to enjoy a refreshing gallop. Cougar Gap is a long and exciting ride, off the trails and only suitable for safe trail horses.

Day 6: Today you leave Elbow Camp and ride westward over Tombstone Pass into Paradise Valley. After about 7 hours of riding with idyllic views, you reach the third and final camp at the foot of the mighty 3,000-meter mountains in Kananaskis County.

Days 7 and 8: Day rides without pack horses to picturesque Talus Lake and/or over Evan-Thomas Pass. The ride to Talus Lake leads north into a side valley at the foot of Mount Cornwall (the highest mountain in the area). The lake lies at an altitude of 2,200 m, the trail climbs steadily and is very steep at the end. You will cover the last part of the route on foot to make it easier for the horses to navigate the rocky paths. The swim in the lake afterwards is all the more refreshing. The ride to Evan Thomas Pass heads south from the camp and is the clear highlight of the entire tour. At the pass (2,600 m), you will have a fantastic view of the peaks of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. And all this on horseback! The way back to camp follows the Dead Horse Trail and offers another impressive riding route for participants.

Day 9: After breakfast, the camp is dismantled and the group leaves the valley together with the pack horses, heading northeast. After a ride of about 18 km, the horse trailer awaits us at the end of the valley. From there, it is approximately a 40 km drive back to the ranch. After a well-deserved shower, there is a convivial farewell dinner in the ranch's guest house. Enjoy the meal and reflect on the experiences of your week of riding in the Canadian wilderness.

Day 10: After breakfast, return transfer to Calgary.

Kananaskis Mountain & Prairie Expedition (10 days)

Ride in the wilderness of Kananaskis and take part in a competitive trail ride in the unique Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park! The Mountain & Prairie Expedition is the perfect combination for those who can't decide whether they'd rather enjoy the tranquil wilderness of the breathtaking Canadian Rockies or gallop across the endless prairies of Alberta. This expedition is a wilderness adventure conducted in small groups, so everyone receives individual attention and can develop excellent skills and confidence. At the beginning of the expedition, you will have plenty of time to get used to your horse and the Canadian wilderness before the riding becomes more challenging. The boundless landscape is also ideal for fast riding. Time will fly by so quickly that you will want to come back and discover the untouched valleys and mountain ridges...
The aim of this expedition is to leave as few traces as possible in nature. Nevertheless, you will be treated to excellent dinners around the campfire and experience an adventure in a breathtaking landscape.

Day 1: Arrival in Calgary by 4 p.m. and transfer to Bragg Creek (approx. 1 hour drive). Meet and greet at the ranch – you will get to know the guides and your fellow riders. Overnight stay at the ranch.

Day 2: First, a horse that suits you will be found. At the ranch, you can get to know your horse and get used to Western riding. Then it's off to Threepoint Camp, where you will spend the night in tents (riding time approx. 5 hours).

Day 3: Today you will ride from your tent camp in Threepoint through the unique mountain landscape to Elbow Camp. There, the next tent camp awaits you for the night. (Riding time approx. 8 hours).

Day 4: Today's ride takes you to Box Canyon in a picturesque setting (approx. 4.5 hours) and then back to Elbow Camp, where you will spend another night.

Day 5: A beautiful ride through Cougar Gap (approx. 6 hours) awaits you today before you reach your camp at Elbow again.

Day 6: The tents are taken down and the camp is loaded onto the pack horses. After about an hour, you will reach the trail as a group. Continue over the Powderface Ridge (approx. 4.5 hours) and return to the ranch.

Day 7: Transfer to Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park (approx. 4 hours by car). There, the camp will be set up and the horses will undergo a veterinary check for the competitive ride. Overnight stay in a tent camp.

Day 8: Today you will take part in the “Rattlesnake Roundup” competitive trail ride, a very special experience! The “Rattlesnake Round-up” is a sporting ride through Writing On Stone Provincial Park in southern Alberta. This friendly “competition” in the beginner category promises a beautiful ride of approx. 35-40 km in a maximum of 5.5 hours. The ride is done as a group, even though the riders are ranked individually. The journey is the destination! (The entry fee is included in the tour price). A cozy dinner and a party for all participants round off the eventful day. Overnight stay is again at the camp.

Day 9: A leisurely and relaxed ride through the provincial park (approx. 2 hours) awaits you today as the finale of this eventful tour before returning to the ranch by car in the afternoon, where you will spend the night. After a well-deserved warm shower, enjoy a convivial dinner with freshly prepared dishes.

Day 10: After a delicious breakfast, transfer to Calgary. If circumstances prevent the “Rattlesnacke Round-up” from taking place, alternative rides will be organized.

The spring itinerary is different, as there is usually still snow in the mountains. The first 3 days you will ride the most beautiful trails in the Kananaskis Mountains. The next 5 days you will ride 140 km across the open plains of southern Alberta, where the aspen trees are just turning green. So you will enjoy mountain trails as well as fast rides on the plains.

Indian Summer Ride (7 days)
For the inhabitants of this region, autumn is the most beautiful season. The aspens turn golden yellow and the surrounding mountains are covered with a first veil of white. The Indian Summer captivates with warmer, clear days and blue skies, and you can truly “smell” the change of seasons. September is the driest month with pleasant daytime temperatures up to the mid-20s. Canada's landscape, with the Rocky Mountains, hills, crystal-clear rivers, and forests, is ideal for experiencing Indian Summer and its play of colors on horseback!
Breakfast with bacon and eggs, pancakes with maple syrup (typically Canadian and simply delicious!) and fresh fruit make for a delightful start to the day. At lunchtime, you can enjoy a saddle bag picnic at a beautiful spot along your ride, and in the evening, dinner is served together in the beautiful lodge.
The lodge offers double and single rooms with shared bathrooms and a large lounge with a seating and dining area where you can sit together in the evening. You will be assigned a suitable horse at the beginning of the week, but you are welcome to change horses – there are many horses of different temperaments available in the immense pastures.

Day 1: Arrive in Calgary by 4 p.m. and transfer to Bragg Creek (approx. 1 hour drive). Meet and greet at the ranch – get to know the guides and your fellow riders. Overnight stay at the ranch.

Day 2: After breakfast, a horse that suits you will be found. At the ranch, you can get to know your horse and get used to Western riding in the riding arena. Then it's off into nature to Whiskey Ridge. Dinner will be served back at the lodge.

Day 3: Today, you can look forward to a 4-hour ride into the foothills of the mountains west of Bragg Creek. In the tranquil little town, you will have the opportunity to look around and buy a souvenir if you wish. Then you will ride back through the colorful Canadian landscape to the ranch, where dinner will be waiting for you.

Day 4: Today, a 23 km loop in a southwesterly direction beckons. On this ride, you can expect beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains, so be sure to bring your camera! The ride takes you through aspen forests, which glow in the most beautiful autumn colors at this time of year – Indian summer in Canada!

Day 5: A short trailer ride for horses and riders takes you to today's starting point, where you will explore the upper Ellbow Valley. Beautiful trails lead idyllically through the mountains, which can reach heights of 3000 m here. The Ellbow River winds its way through the mountains with its crystal-clear glacier water, which you will also pass on horseback. In this area, you will find “evergreen” fir trees and nature in all its glory, as is typical for Canada.

Day 6: The last day of riding is the highlight of the week. You will climb to the 2,100-meter summit of Powderface Ridge. Stunning views hundreds of kilometers to the east, but also in all other directions, beckon. Enjoy the view of the surrounding mountains and colorful trees, the vastness and nature that give you a feeling of freedom.
Back at the ranch, enjoy a convivial dinner and reminisce about the wonderful rides of the week.

Day 7: Fortified by a delicious breakfast, you begin your journey home. A shuttle will take you to Calgary, where you will arrive at around 10:30 a.m.

Tombstone Pass (7 days)

Day 1: Pickup from Calgary in the afternoon. After about an hour's drive, you will be ped off at the ranch, where a welcome BBQ awaits you. After the tour briefing, you will receive a sturdy duffel bag, a sleeping bag, and a mattress for the wilderness ride. Overnight stay at the ranch.

Day 2: After breakfast, it's time to meet your horse! While you groom and saddle your horse, you will have the opportunity to get acquainted with your new friend. Then you will drive to Elbow Valley in a trailer and ride to Elbow Camp. Once at the camp, you will take care of the horses and then have time to relax with a good cup of cowboy coffee or tea. The camp is located near a small river, which is refreshing on hot days. Dinner is prepared over an open fire. Overnight stay at Elbow Camp.

Day 3: After breakfast, you break camp, load the pack horses, and ride up the Elbow River and over a pass to Rae Creek, where you set up camp for the night after an exciting ride.

Day 4: After breakfast, you pack up and ride over Tombstone Pass with great views of the majestic mountains and deep river valleys to the camp on the Little Elbow River.

Day 5: Today you will explore the majestic Opal Mountains. Narrow trails lead up and down through the mountains, offering fantastic views at every turn! Overnight stay at the campsite on the Little Elbow River.

Day 6: This morning you pack up for the last time and ride through the green valley to a pick-up point where the trailer is waiting for horses and riders in the afternoon. Return to the ranch for dinner and a final get-together with the guides and fellow riders. Overnight stay at the ranch.

Day 7: After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye. The shuttle will pick you up at around 9:30 a.m. and take you back to Calgary. You will take home memories of an unforgettable adventure in Kananaskis Country.

Great Divide Ride (8 days)
On this program, you will explore two different areas on half-day and full-day rides, spending three days riding from the ranch through Kananaskis Country and then three days through Kootenay National Park, where you will stay at a mountain resort.

Day 1: Arrival in Calgary and transfer to the ranch for dinner and a tour briefing.

Day 2: After breakfast, it's time to choose the right four-legged partner for your ride – there's a horse here for everyone! First, you will go on a day ride into the vast landscape of Kananaskis Country with views of the impressive Rocky Mountains.

Days 3 and 4: You will go on two more day rides into the mountains, with the route depending on the weather. At lunchtime, you will enjoy a saddlebag picnic in a beautiful spot in the middle of the Canadian wilderness.

Day 5: In the morning, the horses are loaded and you drive to British Columbia to the Nipika Mountain Resort. The approximately 3-hour drive takes you through the famous Banff National Park and on to Kootenay National Park. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a wonderful ride through the Kootenay River Valley. Dinner and overnight stay at the resort.

Day 6: Today, a day ride to Cross River awaits you. The area is characterized by wild rivers, autumnal forests, and the autumn light creates a magical atmosphere. Overnight stay at the resort again.

Day 7: Last approx. 2-hour ride through the autumn-colored landscape of the Rockies. After lunch, you will ride the horses back to the ranch. Last dinner together and overnight stay.

Day 8: Breakfast and departure.

Accomodation
You will spend the first and last night of the trip at Ranch. You will spend the remaining nights at various campsites.

The Ranch

The Ranch is located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, 13 km south of the picturesque hamlet of Bragg Creek and about 60 km southwest of Calgary - a wilderness area that stretches all the way to the Continental Divide! The landscape changes from hills to forests to high alpine meadows, dense primeval forests and limestone cliffs.
The heart of Ranch is a large, bright common room where we socialize, eat, cook, listen to stories or simply enjoy the view over the horse pasture. The guest house has 5 rooms (2 single rooms with a double bed and 3 rooms with a king-size bed, two single beds or two double beds). There are 2 bathrooms which are shared by all guests. We provide all bed linen and towels. Please bring your own soap and shampoo. There is a hairdryer in each bathroom. We have an outdoor fireplace with picnic area. Smoking is prohibited on the entire property with the exception of the outdoor fire pit. There is no television at Ranch, but there is free WIFI. You are welcome to use the iPod docking station, board games and a large ion of books and magazines. At certain times of the day you can do your laundry to wash for an extra charge.

Mountain Resort

On the Great Divide Ride you will spend two nights at the beautiful Mountain Resort, an eco Lodge consisting of several wooden cabins with one or more bedrooms, a fireplace and terrace.

Camping

On the way, you will spend the night in simple but comfortable camps in well-chosen locations. Normal 2-person tents are available. Sleeping bags and mats are provided. You always camp within walking distance of a clear creek or river, where you can swim or visit to wash . The sanitary facilities are pit latrines, including toilet seats, which have been dug in each camp just a short walk from the campsite. There is no electricity at the camp, we recommend power bars or solar chargers and a headlamp.

Meals

Breakfast and dinner at Ranch, or at the resort or camp. Lunch is served as a saddlebag picnic on the trails and day rides. Local fresh food is prepared. Vegetarian food and allergies can be catered for with advance notice. Gluten-free food is available for an extra charge of USD 10 per day.

Room occupancy on the riding tours: No single occupancy in the tent, space on the packhorses is limited.

Saddle & Tack: Western and endurance saddles depending on the horse.

Experience: Riding experience from approx. 3 years, also outside of the arena. We also trot and canter at a brisk pace (especially on the flat). Riding time 4-7 hours daily.

Horses: Quarter Horses, Arabians, Missouri Fox Trotters, Paints and Canadians.