If you’re looking for a moderate waterfall hike in Kananaskis, try Karst Spring. This hike is not only beautiful, it was also a very quiet trail – and we were hiking on Canada Day long weekend. The trailhead is about 1 hour from Canmore, or 2.5 hours from Calgary off the Smith-Dorrien Trail.
Karst Spring Trail Description
Karst Spring Trail is a 9.2 km out-and-back trail with 276 meters of elevation. The trail begins at the Mount Shark trailhead and follows a wide trail that intersects with the Mount Shark Cross Country Ski trails. We brought our dog along and hiked in a group of 4. We were worried about the weather as it was raining throughout our drive, but we got lucky and the rain let up just before we got on the trail.
The first three kilometers follows this trail. The trail is clearly marked. Karst Spring Trailhead is 3.6 km from the Mount Shark parking lot. At the sign, take the path down the hill to Watridge Lake.
Watridge Lake is a hike in itself, but I’d highly recommend adding the 1.6 km to your route and continuing on to the waterfall.
After the lake the path narrows to a more traditional hiking trail. This area of the hike was very muddy, but there are tree trunks lining the path to keep you out of the muck. We arrived at the bottom of the falls shortly after the lake. Most of the elevation of the hike begins from here. There is a short incline that continues up to a bench that gives a great view of the falls, but the trail continues a little further than this.
The last of the hike was steep for one short switchback, then continues along a narrow path on the hill. Here you reach the end of the hike, with a view of the source of the waterfall and a sign titled “Water from Stone”. The sign notes the origins of the spring which come from within the mountain.
The Return Trip
The hike back was short and simple. We found the wide trail nice for a group hike as it allowed us to converse along the way. We passed two small groups and saw some backpackers at the trailhead starting their trip to Assiniboine, but the trail itself felt very quiet, which can be hard to find on a summer weekend.
Don’t forget to purchase your Kananaskis Conservation Pass before you get to the trailhead!
For more hikes in Kananaskis, check my other posts here.
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Must be a great place for hiking, the view is so nice.
Thanks for your comment! Yes, it’s a lovely trail 🙂
You’re welcome immersivetraveller.
Your description of the trail is like a map and easy to follow. Just looking for trails like this. This one will likely be next to hike – on a sunny day. Thanks.
Let me know what you think once you go!
How bumpy were the 742 and Mt. Shark Rd? How long (or short) a drive is it along Mt. Shark Rd?
Guess you are now also a hiking guide consultant!! Thanks in advance.
The roads aren’t too bad right now, a few rougher spots but overall okay for a gravel road. The drive along Mt Shark Road is about 5 km, you take it to the Mt. Shark trailhead which is at the end of the road.
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