Jumpingpound is a gorgeous hike located near Bragg Creek. If you’re coming from Calgary or somewhere east of the Rockies and are looking at getting your first taste of a hike where the Rockies and Prairies this is the hike.

Jumpingpound Summit Trail is only an hour and a half away from Calgary, so this one is an easy one to get to if you’re looking for a hiking trail near Kananaskis.

There are tons and tons of beautiful hikes around the province but you don’t always have to go too far to experience some great ones.

Wasootch Ridge and Grizzly Peak are two fine examples of stunning Kananaskis hikes. It’s also where we’ve spent most of our time since it’s relatively close to home.

Every time we make our way this way we end up having awesome experiences!

Pin for hiking in Kananaskis Jumpingpound Summit hike.

Jumpingpound is a great moderate hike that takes a few hours and is very rewarding with its incredible views. The trail is great and so is the distance and elevation gain.

It was a very nice peaceful hike that beautifully portrays the Rockies and just how huge they are.

You’ll be able to compare the prairies on the one side to the mountains on the other and get a feel for just how big they really are. It’s one of the many perks of hiking near Bragg Creek

Jo enjoying the views of the Canadian Rockies.

Everything you should know about Jumpingpound Summit

First of all, Jumpingpound is at the beginning of the Rockies so it’s pretty easy to get there from Calgary and much closer than a lot of other hikes with similar breathtaking views.

We tend to try and do hikes in Kananaskis because they are closer to home but eventually, we plan to share other parks as well.

If you’re looking for a hike that will give you a good challenge with a fair bit of elevation and cool views then Jumpingpound Summit is great.

Beautiful views of Canadian Rockies.

It does take some effort to get to the summit but it can easily be done under 3 hours while also taking pictures and enjoying the views up top.

Since the views at the summit are absolutely amazing you will want to spend some time admiring them and taking some photos.

As soon as we got out of the forest and into the meadow we were greeted with flowers while also having the summit in sight. It’s easily the best view on the whole hike and we spent a good hour up and around the top just exploring and taking pictures of the views and flowers.

Wildflowers on a mountain in Alberta.

If you’re lucky, you may even be able to see Calgary on a clear day. This is similar to hiking up Black Rock Mountain (another great hike we did that we can highly recommend) since they are on the most eastern part of the Rocky Mountains.

On both hikes, you have the Prairies to the east and the rest of the Rockies to the west. It’s a fun contrast being so high up and seeing such different landscapes.

There’s no doubt you’ll enjoy this hike in Alberta. We chose it because of the elevation and distance.

We drove from Red Deer and had a few other stops on the way so we didn’t have time to do too long of a hike.

Jumpingpound ended up being a perfect 2.5 hour hike for us.

Practical information about Jumpingpound

Distance: 6.91km return / 4.29 miles return
Elevation: 438 m / 1437 ft. elevation gain
Type: Out and back
Length: 2 – 3 hours return
Difficulty: Moderate hike with a lot of incline
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Click here to see a map of the JumpingPound Summit trail.

Here’s a picture of the beginning of Jumpingpound Summit Trail:

Jumpingpound Summit trailhead map.

Starting off in at the Jumpingpoung trailhead

We had some trouble finding the trailhead because you lose out on reception somewhere 20-30 minutes before the hike so you really want to make sure you know where you’re going.

On a good day, there should be a few cars at the trailhead but if you go early enough you may be the first car so make sure you know where you’re going!

The Alltrails map for Jumpingpound is a big help.

One thing we didn’t know which we figured out very quickly is that Jumpingpound is a very popular biking trail as well.

Plenty of mountain bikers will come zipping up and down the trail at times but for the most part, they were pretty cautious and looking for hikers.

The hike itself starts like a lot of hikes in the Rockies where you spend the beginning of the hike walking through a forest without many views. You still get rays of sunlight coming through the trees which makes for some cool photos

As you continue through the trees more and more zig zags come up and slowly gain elevation in between the trees. You may not have the views but you have the fresh smell of pine and fresh air that you don’t get anywhere else but the Rockies!

Dom enjoying the views at the summit of Jumpingpound.
Dom exploring the Canadian Rockies!

Up towards the summit of Jumpingpound

After about 2.8km going up, you should be out of the forest and have the summit in sight.

Once you’re out of the woods and in the meadow you’ll be able to see the ridge line of all the mountain ranges and Jumpingpound Summit right in front of your eyes only a few hundred meters away.

This trail is very easy to follow since there aren’t really any animal paths or small trails that will lead you away from the summit. There are, however, a few checkpoints on the way up so that you know you’re going the right way.

If you’re tracking your distance, you can plan to hike around 3.2 km – 3.5 km each way.

You can expect to get some wind up in the meadow and at the summit but that’s why Jo always brings a light sweater for the summit.

The meadow section of the hike is really beautiful with all the wild flowers and open views of the Rockies.

I think it also has to do that we had no expectations for this hike and honestly didn’t know what to expect.

Being out in this alpine meadow with the sun shining down on you, mountains surrounding you, and everything else it made for a really cool experience.

A hut on the top of a mountain.

The summit of Jumpingpound trail

Like most hikes, we recommend to spend some time at the summit. Jumpingpound actually has quite a safe summit with quite a bit of room to relax.

This isn’t a hike where the summit is a tiny little platform so there’s plenty of room to wander off and get some amazing photos and just take in the views.

We basically had our own little photo shoot up there while playing around with different angles and mountains.

Once you experience the amazing views from the summit, you can continue along the ridge and explore a little more.

The trails continue in each direction for hours on end. We unfortunately didn’t have time to continue past the summit but we’re sure you’ll enjoy it if you do!

We’re not 100% sure but a few peaks away it looks like there is either a hut or a helipad on one of the peaks. Once you hike up please let us know what you think it is

Back down from the top of Jumpingpound Summit

Jumpingpound Summit is an in and out trail so you do hike down the same way you came up.

There are a few little sections where you may be able to take a different trail. In a few minutes, it will connect back to the main one again.

Again, watch out for the bikers especially as you hike down because some may be cruising quite quickly down the mountain.

Also, this is located in bear country so be on the lookout for bears. We thought we actually heard one in the trees but never saw anything.

The trail itself is actually really nice so you should be able to get down the mountain quite quickly. It really is a more moderate hike than anything. But it’s safe to rate it as hard.

Anyway, you’ll make your way back to the zig-zags and then to the last stretch of flat before being out of the forest and having your vehicle in sight.

That’s Jumpingpound Summit trail! Truly a hike that gives you a taste of the Rockies being right on the edge and really a fun experience. It’s an awesome day hike near Bragg Creek that highly we recommend.

Hiking Tip: Look up the trail on AllTrails before starting your hike 🗺️. You can find important trail information such as recent wildlife sights and trail closures. Check out the free version here or get a 7-day free trial of AllTrails Pro here.

Exploring the Alberta mountains.
Jumpingpound summit trail.

Camping near Bragg Creek

You’ll always be able to find somewhere to camp in the mountains. We have a few options that are in the area and not too far from Jumpingpound. So after your hike, you will only have a short drive back to camp where you can sit back and relax and enjoy the great outdoors.

Jo laying in a meadow while hiking up Jumpingpound summit trail.

Little Elbow Campground

Here are the directions from Jumpingpound to Little Elbow Campground.

It’s a short 20 km drive but because of the gravel road, it will take about 40 minutes. It’s absolutely worth it though because Little Elbow is gorgeous and it’s a wonderful place to camp.

A campsite is $29 a night and you can see the campground map here with all the sites and amenities. It’s a great place to stay for the weekend since there is so much hiking in the area.

There’s a ton of hikes even closer than Jumpingpound too so you have many different options to pick from.

Even though this campground isn’t right next to the hike it’s definitely worth the drive to stay at Little Elbow and explore its surroundings as well.

Beaver Flat Campground

This is another campsite between Jumpingpound and Bragg Creek. It’s 50 minutes to the trailhead of Jumpingpound. It has fire pits, toilets, and water pumps. The sites are first come first serve and cost $31 a night for a trailer or tent.

If you end up camping at Beaver Flat, you’ll only be a short distance away from the famous Elbow Falls. It’s a short 1-2km trail which has a gorgeous waterfall and viewpoints that overlook it.

You’ll be camping right next to the Elbow River and have the Canadian Rockies surrounding you from all sides. Paradise if you ask us!

If you want any more information on Beaver Flat then here is the Alberta Parks link.

Beautiful flowers on a mountain.

How to get to Jumpingpound Summit trail

From Calgary to Jumpingpound Summit

It’s roughly a 1.5 hour drive to Jumpingpound from Calgary. Depending if you’re coming from the south or the north there are two ways to get there:

  • These directions are better if you’re coming from the south of Calgary.
  • These directions are better if you’re coming from the north of Calgary.
  • When you get to the hike, you will just park on the side of the road where the hike starts. There should be other cars there as well.
  • The road is gravel for a good portion of it but there aren’t too many potholes so it’s ok to drive on. We did it in our Honda Odyssey and managed just fine!

From Bragg Creek to Jumpingpound Summit

It’s about a 1.5 hour drive from Bragg Creek to the Jumpingpound Summit trailhead.

  • The directions can be found here.
  • If you need to fill up for gas then Bragg Creek is the last stop to do that.

From Edmonton to Jumpingpound Summit

It’s just over 4 hours from Edmonton to the Jumpingpound Summit trailhead.

  • The directions can be found here.
  • It’s a bit of a longer drive but totally worth it if you plan to camp and stay a night or two.
Jo taking in the views of the Canadian Rockies.
Jo admiring the view from Jumpingpound Summit.

Before you hike Jumpingpound Summit trail

The very first thing you should do is check if the trail is open. It’s good to see if there are any warnings on it. If you’re familiar with the area you’ll know that hikes in Kananaskis tend to have bear warnings on them all the time. It’s definitely not uncommon to see a grizzly or a black bear while hiking in Alberta.

It’s a relatively safe trail since there are always people on it but we would still recommend telling someone about your plans. It doesn’t hurt and that way at least someone knows where you are. Better safe than sorry!

There is also a good chance you will not have reception – all the more reason why you should tell someone where you’re going. We had a bit of reception past Bragg Creek but after that, we had no reception for the whole hike until we reached the summit. You can check the recent comments about the hike here.

Jumpingpound Summit!

Leave no trace

When you go hiking (and do other outdoor adventure activities), always remember to follow the 7 principles of leaving no trace.

This means:

  1. Plan ahead and prepare.
  2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
  3. Dispose of waste properly.
  4. Leave what you find.
  5. Minimize campfire impacts.
  6. Respect wildlife.
  7. Be considerate of others.

What to bring on the Jumpingpound Summit trail

This is a moderate hike so try to bring enough of what you need and limit what you don’t need. It is a shorter hike but you don’t want to go underprepared.

Also, if you’ve done your fair share of hiking in Alberta you know how quickly the weather can change, so be prepared for that. Here you can see the exact weather for Jumpingpound Summit.

Packing list for Jumpingpound:

  • Water! We always fill up our LifeStraw bottles before hikes and even during them when we can. Make sure to fill it up beforehand because there isn’t really anywhere on the trail to fill up your water.
  • A camelbak is a great option too if you’re looking for something to hold a lot of water.
  • Some snacks are always nice to have. Especially since there’s nowhere to buy food after Bragg Creek.
  • Sunscreen if it’s sunny out! Or even if it’s just warm and cloudy, bring some. We recommend this eco-friendly sunscreen from Sun Bum.
  • Bear spray! You’re in bear country! 😉
  • Warm clothes if it’s cold! Remember that the weather can change quickly. When we got up in the meadow it felt like the weather did a complete 360 and got way colder!
  • A power bank is always nice to have on any hike you do! You don’t want a dead phone halfway through a hike and then no battery for your drive home.
  • Bring some snacks for when you make it to the viewpoint overlooking the lake. 
  • It’s always nice to have hiking poles! Jumpingpound is the perfect hike to bring your hiking poles on.
  • Also, this is a great list of hiking gear that you may need on a hike!
Dom with his Osprey backpack.

You may also like…

Beautiful flowers up in a mountain meadow.

Other useful info and questions about Jumpingpound Summit trail

  • Bragg Creek is the last place to buy food and gas if you take that way to Jumpingpound so just keep that in mind.
  • This hike is ideal from June to October.
  • If you’re looking for something a little bit easier in the area then definitely check out Chester Lake Trail near Kananaskis.
  • If you’re going for more than one day and want to do another awesome hike, Wasootch Ridge is one of our favourite Kananaskis hikes and it’s not too far from Calgary either!
  • Check the weather forecast before you head out.

Where is Jumpingpound?

JumpingPound is in near Kananaskis Improvement, Alberta and not too far away from Brag Creek and Calgary. The hike is located down a bumpy and non paved mountain road and takes roughly 1.5 hours to get to from Calgary.

Can I hike Jumpingpound with kids?

Yes, Jumpingpound is a kid friendly hike with no cliffs or drop-offs and is quite a safe hike. As long as you’re fine with a little bit of elevation then Jumpingpound is perfect for the whole family.

Jo walking on a mountain trail near Kananaskis.

Recap of hiking Jumpingpound Summit

We hope you enjoy this hike as much as we did. Jumpingpound’s summit is 2225 meters so you’ll have an absolute blast and stunning views of the Rockies and Prairies.

We haven’t explored that much near Bragg Creek but there sure are some absolutely beautiful hikes in the area. After getting a taste of Jumpingpound we’re definitely going to come back for more.

If you have any questions about the hike or anything feel free to DM us on Instagram. You can also leave comment below and we’ll get back to you as soon we can!

Pin for Jumpingpound Summit near Kananaskis.
Pin for Pinterest of hiking in Alberta.
Pin for exploring Alberta hikes.

You may also like...

2 Comments

  1. Dillon Holloway on June 5, 2023 at 12:04 am

    Hey Guys nice review!

    That “heli pad” you seen is right next to the fire lookout on Moose Mountain!
    I highly recommend putting moose mountain on your list, but make sure to go the “Moose mountain “North East” route

    Cheers!

    • redwhiteadventures on June 5, 2023 at 8:55 am

      Hey Dillon,

      That’s awesome and good to know! Maybe we’ll try and conquer it this summer. I’m guessing there is two different routes to the top of Moose Mountain and the “North East” way is the better way!? Cheers!

      -Dom

Leave a Comment