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The Blackshale Suspension Bridge Hike (via Black Prince) in Kananaskis
- andrewsco3
- Nov 27, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: Aug 21
The Blackshale Suspension Bridge is nestled in the heart of Kananaskis country, and is a short, free and fun outing that offers something a little different compared to most other hikes in the area.
The Blackshale Suspension Bridge is a great hike for people of all ages, especially families with kids. You can choose between a longer route (6 km from the Black Prince Day Use area) or a shorter option (1 km directly from the road), making the suspension bridge easily accessible for almost everyone.
Considering we recently spent a whole day at the Golden Skybridge and paid close to $200 for our family, this hike is a fantastic, low-cost way to test your nerves and see if you’re comfortable with heights before trying something more extreme.
Keep reading this blog post for all the information you’ll need to hike to the Blackshale suspension bridge in Kananaskis, including key details of the hike, information on where to park, and explaining the different hike options to get to the suspension bridge (long or short).
To jump ahead to a certain section, click the links below:
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Key Hike Information
Here is the key hike information:
How Long is the hike to Blackshale Suspension Bridge?
There are two trail options for reaching the Blackshale Suspension Bridge. The most popular route starts at the Black Prince day use parking lot, and this hike takes you through a scenic forest to the suspension bridge. This trail, known as Blackshale Suspension Bridge via Black Prince on AllTrails, is 6.1 km out-and-back.
For those seeking a quicker hike, there’s a much shorter but steeper option. You can park along the road and follow the Blackshale Suspension Bridge trail on AllTrails, which is just 1 km out-and-back.
Is the Hike Difficult?
Both trail options are easy; however, though the shorter route is a bit steeper. The trail via Black Prince is more of a gentle climb, and much more interesting in our opinion. It's one of the best 'easy' Kananaskis hikes.
What is the Elevation Gain on the Trail?
351 elevation from the Black Prince day use area and 58m elevation directly from the road
How Long Does it Take to Reach the Suspension Bridge?
The hike starting at the Black Prince car park takes about 1.5-2 hours to complete, depending on your pace and how long you spend exploring the suspension bridge.
When is the Best Time to Visit the Blackshale Suspension Bridge?
You can hike to the suspension bridge all year round, although in the winter Parks Canada cordons off off the entrance to the bridge with tape, as the snow makes it too heavy to safely accommodate too many people. That said, we've visited in the winter and people definitely do still cross the bridge.... naughty, naughty! Our favourite time to go is during shoulder season as it's nice and quiet and without the crowds.
Before heading to Kananaskis, be sure to check the Peter Lougheed advisories - if the bridge is closed you will see a message like the below:
Do I need a Permit or Park Pass?
A reminder that this hike is in Kananaskis country and you need to purchase a Kananaskis Conservation Pass. This can either be purchased online or at designated kiosks in the area.
How to Get There
For directions to the Black Prince parking lot, search for 'Black Prince Day Use Area' in Google Maps. If you're traveling from Calgary, head west on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) and take the exit for Kananaskis Country (Highway 40 South). Continue on Highway 40 South for about 50 km, passing through Kananaskis Village, until you reach the junction with Highway 742 (also known as Smith Dorrian Trail).
It's not far along this road, and you will head off just a few hundred meters to the Black Prince Day Use car park, which is well sign posted.
The drive from Calgary to the Blackshale Suspension Bridge typically takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.
If you’re coming from Canmore or the Rocky Mountains, you can take the same route along Highway 40 South as from Calgary, or alternatively, take Highway 742. This is a beautiful drive past Spray Lakes, though it does take about 30 minutes longer. It’s a scenic route, but it depends on how much time you have!
The Black Prince Day Use Area is a large parking lot, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a spot. An outhouse is also located in the parking area for convenience.
Blackshale Suspension Bridge via Black Prince Trail Map (6.1km):
You will see the shorter trail route shown above (just below the yellow '1' circle)
Blackshale Suspension Bridge (1km):
The Trail to the Suspension Bridge
To reach the trailhead, head back to Smith Dorrien Trail (Highway 742 - the road you just drove along to get here), cross it, and then look for a sign on the left directing you into the woods towards the High Rockies Trail.
Once you have found the trail, the path winds through the trees, gently gaining elevation, almost without knowing it. After about 400m you will take a right turn along the High Rockies Trail.
In the summer this is also a popular mountain biking route, so be prepared to step out the way if bikers come along!
Once the snow has fallen, the trail can get quite slippery. We highly recommend wearing ice cleats for any winter hiking - you don't realize that you need them until you do!
The path is pretty, without being spectacular, but there are regular openings where you get some nice views of the mountains.
After around 3km you will reach the suspension bridge. Just before getting there, you will walk past a yellow 'congestion' sign, presumably installed to warn bikers of the upcoming crowds by the suspension bridge.
We've only ever visited in 'off season' and on both occasions have barely seen anyone on the hike, let alone the bridge. That said, in the summer and during busy periods, I've heard that the lure of snapping that perfect Instagram photo means there can often be a queue to cross the bridge. Be courteous, and respect the recommended 20 people maximum on the bridge.
The Suspension Bridge
The suspension bridge spans 240 feet and feels really well-constructed to walk on. It is reinforced with wires to prevent swaying, and the bridge deck is solid underfoot.
The bridge is made up of more of a 'grating' than traditional 'slats', making it safer for pets, people pushing mountain bikes across, and likely offering some comfort to those who may have a fear of heights!
You can see how sturdy the construction is, although it's still recommended to only have 20 people on the bridge at one time. I'd like to think that is a very conservative estimate though.
At the other side of the bridge there is a nice bench to take in some of the surrounding mountain views.
At this point, you can either head back the way you came, or, head down the shorter trail option directly to the road. We actually went back this way as we were in a bit of a rush, and just walked back along the highway.
We saw a few pretty unprepared hikers slipping and sliding all over the place trying to climb up.... I can only imagine how they fared going back down. A second reminder to wear ice cleats or spikes!
The Blackshale Suspension Bridge - FAQ
Is the Blackshale Suspension Bridge Suitable for Children?
Absolutely! I haven't met a kid yet that doesn't love charging across a suspension bridge, while the adults all carefully make their way across! In fact combining hikes with interesting things like a suspension bridge are one of our top 20 Hiking Tips with Kids!
Is the Hike Dog Friendly?
Yes, the trail is very dog friendly. We took our golden retriever and had no issues at all. The bridge doesn't have any large gaps between the slats (it is more of a grate / mesh), so it is safe for pups paws. Remember to keep dogs leashed.
When is the Suspension Bridge Closed?
The bridge is closed during the winter, but the exact date that the bridge closes changes every year. Usually it will stay open until there is a significant snowfall. This year, it was closed on 22nd November after a heavy snowfall (for reference).
Is the Suspension Bridge Safe?
Yes, it's incredibly well built and very safe.
Is the Blackshale Suspension Bridge Free?
Yes, it is completely free to access the bridge (assuming you have a Kananaskis Pass)
What Wildlife Might I Encounter on the Trail?
As with all of the Canadian Rockies, this is bear country, so carry bear spray and know how to use it. We didn't see any wildlife on the trail though.
What to Bring With You
Good Hiking boots – Make sure the whole family has some good hiking boots. In the summer you could get away doing the hike in sneakers, but in winter you will need some form of traction device, as the trail can get icy.
Ice Cleats - we recently bought the girls these Kids Ice Cleats by High Stream Gear from Amazon. They've worn them on loads of hikes now and we are really happy with them. Me and Susie both have the Kahtoola MICROspikes and love them.
Phone – it's worth noting that there is no signal on the hike, but I always carry it anyway.
Food and Water – We recently bought both of our kids Camelbaks so that they can drink on the go and it has been a game changer! Bring plenty of snacks and gummy treats!
Dress in Layers - Weather can change quickly in the mountains. Dressing in layers lets you adjust to whatever comes your way
First Aid Kit – I always recommend bringing a basic first aid kit in your bag as a precaution.
Bear spray – This hike is in bear country. Make lots of noise (I’m pretty sure no bears would want anything to do with our noisy kids though!)
Explore More of Kananaskis
Fancy Another Hike?
If you enjoyed this hike, why not try some of our other favourites in the area?
Troll Falls (one of the most kid-friendly hikes in Kananaskis)
Yates Mountain (kid friendly with amazing views of Barrier lake)
The West Wind Pass (impressive views over Spray Lakes, and kid-friendly)
The McGillivray Creek Trail (leads to a large chockstone wedged between canyon walls
The Grotto Canyon (a great hike in both summer and winter)
The Jura Creek Hike (a fun canyon scramble in the summer and winter)
Canyon Creek Ice Cave (Involves a bike ride followed by a short scramble to the ice caves)
Ha Ling Peak (a challenging but rewarding first summit for kids)
Tent Ridge (a challenging ridge walk with some scramble sections)
Looking for a hotel?Â
If you are looking for accommodation, we recommend both of these hotels - they are on the higher end, but make for a really special stay:
MTN House by Basecamp (a spa is opening up in November 2025)
Kananaskis Mountain Lodge (a luxury hotel in Kananaskis country which recently hosted the G7 Summit, includes an outdoor heated swimming pool and next to the Nordic Spa)
Calgary's Best Hotels for Every Budget (our guide to the best places to stay)
Things to do and Itinerary Planning
We’ve put together a detailed blog post and our most popular guide: a 2-week Canadian Rockies itinerary that covers Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, and Waterton, which is packed with tips to help you plan an unforgettable journey through the Canadian Rockies.
If your plans bring you into Calgary, we’ve got plenty of ideas to help you make the most of your time there. Check out our guide to the 40 best things to do in Calgary, follow our 2-day Calgary itinerary for a well-rounded visit, or keep our list of the best indoor activities in Calgary handy for days when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
As always, if you have any questions about the Blackshale Suspension Bridge in Kananaskis, feel free to ask away in the comments section!
