Easy hikes and walks in Don Getty Wildland Provincial Park

The Timber Harvesting sign is on Highway 66, which stands near the entry points to the Mustang Hills trailheads, explains how public wilderness tourism collides with local forestry operations, reminding hikers where timber cuts reshape the forest scenery and trail borders over time. Highway 66 has a seasonal winter gate closure that blocks motorized access from December 1st through May 14th.

Mustang Hills is a great viewpoint before Mustang Hills East Summit, and a more achievable shoulder-season summit. Unlike its east-facing counterpart, this summit is much more heavily forested, shaded with pine tree canopies. Keep an eye on the open meadows between these two peaks as it is a sanctuary for Kananaskis's resident herd of feral horses, where the hills get their name. The views from here are great, the stunning Rocky Mountains in the background with the Elbow River raging below.

The Mustang Hills East Summit rises above the surrounding valley and offers hikers expansive, panoramic views looking south and west toward Forgetmenot Ridge and the Front Range of the Canadian Rockies. The summit ridge can sometimes feel quite rugged, rising slightly out of treeline, requiring careful foot placement across the scree and open clearings.

This elevated viewpoint along the Little Elbow Trail overlooks Little Elbow River, the thick forests leading into the Elbow - Sheep Wildland Provincial Park and Mount Remus, Mount Romulus, and Mount Glasgow looming above the forest.

The Little Elbow Trail is a relatively flat and wide trail that is a good option for families and beginners to get out and explore the beauty of Kananaskis Country Public Land. It follows along its namesake river and for those looking for more of a challenge it intersects with many trails that lead to the high ridgelines and summits above the river.

Nihahi Ridge is where the Nihahi Creek meets the Little Elbow River. Also, here, the Little Elbow Trail meets the southern end of the Mount Fullerton Route. It's a scenic area to explore, with waterfalls and rapids in the Little Elbow River and thick forests that open up to huge rocky shores with massive logjams.

Set right beside the Bow River with Door Jamb Mountain and Loder Peak rising sharply across the water, this riverside picnic area is one of the most scenic rest spots in the valley. A row of wooden tables sits on open grass just steps from the shoreline, offering an easy place to pause before or after exploring the nearby trails. With parking, restrooms, and a water fountain close by, it’s a convenient and peaceful stop to take in the mountain views, listen to the river, or enjoy a quiet lunch with the peaks in full sight.

Flowing through the broad Bow Valley beneath Door Jamb Mountain and Loder Peak, this stretch of the Bow River feels open and far-reaching, with views toward the limestone walls above. The river moves steadily around gravel bars and willow-edged banks that often draw elk, deer, and occasional raptors. From the trail, it becomes a constant point of reference — a wide, blue-green corridor reflecting the rugged peaks rising across the valley.