Are you looking for an easy hike in Kananaskis? Arethusa Cirque offers the perfect place for an evening jaunt in the Rocky Mountains. Less popular than the nearby Ptarmigan Cirque, there’s a good chance you’ll be one of the only people on the trail (especially in the shoulder seasons). As a family-friendly and beginner hike in Kananaskis, the Arethusa Cirque hike is one of you won’t want to miss.
Last Updated: February 23, 2024
In early October 2020, Bella and I travelled from Calgary to Kananaskis to explore the popular Ptarmigan Cirque Trail. After completing the short trail, we had a couple hours of daylight left and made our way over to Arethusa Cirque — another easy hike in Kananaskis. I found this less-popular hike was much more scenic than Ptarmigan and, with fewer visitors, felt much more “remote.” Keep reading to see what I mean.
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About Arethusa Cirque — Easy Hike in Kananaskis
Location: Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Kananaskis Country, Alberta
Distance: 5 km lollipop (out and back w/ loop at the end)
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 275 metre gain
Time: 2 – 2.5 hours
Family-friendly: Yes, but minimal signage on the trail.
Dog-friendly: Yes, but dogs must stay on a leash. Bella the Berner loved this one!
Features: The Arethusa Cirque hike begins through the forest and eventually reaches a beautiful alpine meadow, where you’ll hike clockwise or counter-clockwise to Arethusa Cirque to find impressive Rocky Mountain views. As a short and fairly easy hike in Kananaskis, don’t miss this spectacular mountain scenery with fairly minimal effort.
Arethusa Cirque Trail Map
Finding the Arethusa Cirque Trailhead
To reach the Arethusa Cirque Trailhead from Calgary, head west on the Trans Canada Highway and take Exit 118 into Kananaskis Country. Drive south on Highway 40 (Kananaskis Trail) for about 67 km until you come across a long dirt parking area on your left (just a few minutes south of Highwood Pass Day Use Area). As an unofficial trail, you won’t see signs for Arethusa Cirque but shouldn’t have much trouble finding it. The entire trip from Calgary will take around 1 hour and 30 minutes. Also, you should know that this section of Hwy 40 is seasonally closed from December 1 to June 14 each year. The Arethusa Cirque Trailhead is found on the north end of the parking area.
Read next: Healy Pass Trail in Banff National Park (Perfect Larch Hike!)
Arethusa Cirque Trail — Family-Friendly Kananaskis Hike
The Arethusa Cirque hiking trail meanders through the forest while gradually gaining elevation. On a fairly gentle grade, make your way up to a small mountain lake (or tarn) after a kilometre or so. As one of the easy hikes in Kananaskis, you’ll gain over 275 metres over the 5-km loop. While that’s far from difficult compared to other Kananaskis hikes, Arethusa Cirque has poor signage and rugged trail conditions. If you’re a beginner hiker or hiking with children, use some caution while navigating rock and scree around the loop. This is a less popular choice than neighbouring Ptarmigan Cirque, though I crossed paths with a few young families.
After admiring the alpine meadow, Bella and I continued counter-clockwise around the Arethusa Cirque loop. We followed the stream to the right of the little lake and then made our way next to the boulder field and rocky gorge area. In case you’re new to alpine hiking, a “cirque” is an amphitheatre-style bowl formed by glacial erosion between the mountains. We continued hiking along the rocky scree edge of the cirque. Nothing overly technical about this hike, but you do have to watch your step. I’m glad we hiked counter-clockwise and saved the short and steep descent for the end (though some prefer to hike in the clockwise direction –depends on your knees?). Return back through the trees to finish the hike.
Read next: Ptarmigan Cirque Trail: Family-Friendly Kananaskis Hike
What To Bring — Hiking in Kananaskis
Make sure you’re prepared to spend at least a couple of hours on the Arethusa Cirque hike. Bring a day pack with at least a couple litres of water (in a water reservoir) or carry a water filter or purification tablets to refill at the little lake. I also suggest bringing some high-energy snacks for an extra boost if you need them. Wear sturdy hiking boots or trail runners with decent grip for the rough terrain, and a moisture-wicking base layer and warm layers to keep you comfortable. As always, carry a waterproof jacket in your pack or on your person. If you’re hiking with a dog, bring a packable water bowl and a smell-proof bag to carry out dog poop (remember, leave nothing behind).
Arethusa Cirque is a lesser-known Kananaskis hike (compared to Ptarmigan Cirque, for example) and trail signage is fairly minimal. I recommend bringing a GPS or downloaded map if you need help staying on track. Always a good idea to bring a compass and map to get to know the area. Carry a small first aid kit in case of minor injuries. On the rock scree, I suggest bringing hiking poles as well. Check to make sure you have the 10 Hiking Essentials before heading out.
Read next: 10 Day Hiking Essentials: What to Bring on a Hike
Know Before You Go
Park Pass: Visitors are required to purchase a Kananaskis Conservation Pass before parking in Kananaskis Country. The easiest option is to buy your daily or seasonal pass online before arriving in the park.
Parking: You’ll find a long dirt parking area a few minutes south of Highwood Pass Day Use.
Toilets: No outhouses or toilets are available in the parking area or near the trail. Take a rest stop at Highwood Pass Day Use before starting your hike.
Seasonal Closure: Peter Lougheed Provincial Park to Highwood House Junction is closed from December 1 to June 14.
Family-Friendly: Arethusa Cirque is considered a fairly easy and family-friendly hike, but limited signage and rough scree hiking. Definitely not a stroller-friendly trail.
Safety: Bring a first aid kit and leave your trip plan with someone you know and trust. Even on an easy hike, it’s essential to make sure someone knows where you are (especially for solo hikers).
Navigation: This is an official trail with minimal signage. For the most part, the route is fairly easy to follow but some trail-finding might be required. Download Arethusa Cirque on AllTrails or a similar app for additional support.
Wildlife: Always keep a safe distance from wildlife and never feed or approach wild animals. Kananaskis is bear territory and encounters do happen. Someone in your group should carry bear spray and know how (and when) to use it (use a bear spray holster for easy access). You may also want to carry an animal deterrent horn just in case. Leave the bear bells.
Leave No Trace: Do not leave anything behind and help maintain a healthy environment. Learn all about Leave No Trace Principles before heading out!
More Kananaskis Hikes For Your List
If you’re looking for more Kananaskis hikes to add to your list, here are a few of my favourites not too far from Arethusa Cirque. Each article contains the information needed to complete these hiking trails:
- Galatea Lakes Hike in Kananaskis Country, Alberta
- Upper Kananaskis Lake Trail: Family-Friendly Kananaskis Hike
- Yates Mountain via Prairie View Trail in Kananaskis, Alberta
- Ribbon Falls Hike in Kananaskis Country, Alberta
- Tent Ridge Hike: One of the Best Hikes in Kananaskis
Have you experienced the Arethusa Cirque hike in Kananaskis Country? What did you think about the trail? Let me know in the comments!
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Thomas Coldwell has always been fond of the outdoors. He loves hiking, paddling, and camping, and thoroughly enjoys creating outdoor adventure resources for people like you. Originally from Nova Scotia, Thomas has lived in four Canadian provinces (NS, NB, ON, AB) and has travelled in 20 countries and counting.
