
How long is the Smith Dorrien Trail?
Canada, north-america
70.2 km
1,909 m
hard
Year-round
Craving an off-the-beaten-path adventure? Head to Kananaskis in Alberta and discover the Smith Dorrien Trail (Highway 742)! This beauty stretches for about 70 km from south of Canmore to the Kananaskis Trail (Highway 40), carving its way through the stunning Smith-Dorrien Valley.
Fair warning: ditch the sports car. It’s a gravel road, so expect some dust and washboards. Most cars can handle it, though. This high-altitude route peaks at around 1,909 meters, so even in summer, be ready for some snow!
Plan on about 1.5 to 2 hours of driving time if you don’t stop (but you *will* want to stop!). The scenery is incredible. Speaking of stopping, keep your eyes peeled for moose!
The biggest thing to watch out for is dust, so keep a good distance between vehicles. The road gets pretty rough in spots, and near Canmore, there’s a narrow, steep, winding section. And remember, there's no cell service out there, so be prepared!
Road Details
- Country
- Canada
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 70.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,909 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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