CARDINAL DIVIDE
An unforgettable journey to one of Alberta’s most breathtaking alpine lookouts
If you’re craving adventure, solitude, and panoramic mountain vistas, the Cardinal Divide delivers in spades. Tucked high in the Front Ranges of Alberta’s Northern Rockies, this windswept ridge sits nearly 2,000 metres above sea level—where waters part ways toward the Arctic Ocean or Hudson Bay. It’s not just a hike. It’s a moment on the continental divide.
The Experience
Once you arrive, you’re greeted by a broad alpine plateau, delicate wildflowers, and the kind of mountain views that stretch to the horizon. The 10.5 km Cardinal Divide Trail takes you along the ridge for a moderately challenging hike, with rewarding elevation and sweeping views. It’s a favourite for birdwatchers, photographers, and those chasing fall colours or alpine blooms in mid-summer. If you’re lucky, you might spot hoary marmots, bighorn sheep, or soaring golden eagles.
The area includes two shorter trails:
One climbs higher along the ridgeline for a 360° perspective
The other skirts Tripoli Ridge for softer elevation with dramatic views
There’s a small parking area with a basic picnic site and outhouse, but don’t expect amenities—this is backcountry beauty at its rawest.
Getting There
The journey is part of the adventure. From Hinton, head south through Cadomin and follow Grave Flats Road—a rough gravel road for nearly 60 km. It takes about two hours, and the road is not well-signposted, with limited cell service along the way. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended, and travel should only be attempted between late June and September, when snow has melted and road conditions are safe.
Insider tip: Stop along the way to take in wildflower meadows, remnants of Alberta’s coal-mining history, and glimpses of remote valleys rarely seen by tourists.
Worth the Effort
Cardinal Divide is not for the casual sightseer—but for those willing to venture off the beaten path, it’s one of the most awe-inspiring and peaceful places in the Alberta Rockies. Whether you come for a quiet picnic in the tundra or an unforgettable ridge hike at sunrise, the views—and the solitude—will stay with you.
