Ribbon Falls Hiking Trail

Posted September 9th, 2007 by Chris

Distance:

18.5 km

Difficulty:

Easy

Elev. gain:

375 meters

Time required:

4 - 6 hours

Bikes permitted:

Dogs permitted:

Yes

Download GPX | Download GPX

Directions to trail head

Drive south 23 kilometers on highway 40 (Kananaskis Trail) from the intersection of highways #1 and #40. Turn west (right) at the Nakiska Ski Area. Take the left onto Centennial Drive and then the right on Ribbon Creek Road. Continue down to the far end of the parking area. The trail starts at the farthest end of the parking lot. There is a old coal mining cart set up at the trailhead.

Hazards on trail

Winter travel is not recommended into Dipper Canyon due to the risk of avalanches. If you plan to hike to the top of the falls and on to Ribbon Lake which adds about 4 kilometers to the trip there is some serious scrambling/rock climbing involved.

Hike Description

This is a nice hike. It starts out on a logging road with a walk in the meadow. You will pass some picnic tables and at 2 kilometers (waypoint #002) there is a intersection and you should continue straight to stay on the Ribbon Falls trail. If you turn left you will cross a bridge and be on the ski trails that surround Kananaskis village. Approximately 3.2 kilometers from the trail head you will find an old logging camp and approximately 700 meters further down the trail you will find the point at which bikes are no longer permitted. If you are looking to reduce the distance you have to hike, biking the first 4 kilometers is a good option and there is a steel bike rack to securely store your bike. It is only 1.5 kilometers from the bike rack to the start of Dipper Canyon where the peaks of Mount Kidd and Ribbon Peak begin to surround you. At this point you will see a series of scenic pools and small falls like the one below.

Only a few hundred meters before you reach Ribbon Falls there is several backcountry camping sites nestled between Mount Kidd and Mount Bogart. At this point there is no mistaking that you are in a canyon as the peaks and cliffs tower above you. It is probably the most picturesque backcountry camping spot I have seen in Kananaskis. The photo below is of the falls in the fall.

This trail connects to the Buller Pass Trail and the Buller Mountain day use area. This gives the option of dropping a car at the other end,hiking up Buller Pass and out. See the post for Buller Pass. I have also attached a combined track for both trails. The section from Ribbon Falls to the top of Buller Pass is missing but you can see the trail from the pass so I do not think it would be difficult to follow.

Follow the link to view the area using Google Earth.