The Foran Grade Hike in Sheep River Provincial Park

Andrew Schofield

Sep 3

5 min read

If you're after a hike that rewards a mixed group of ages without demanding much in return, Foran Grade is worth putting on the list. This loop through Sheep River Provincial Park in Kananaskis Country strings together Foran Grade trail, the Windy Point hike, and the Sheep Trail into one route, and it's an easy one to sell to a group with different fitness levels or a range of kids' ages.

We took our own two girls, a couple of friends and their kids, and our dog Ellie out for this one, and it turned out to be a great fit for the whole crew.

the family and Ellie at the top of the trail

Keep reading this blog post for all the essentials you'll need to enjoy the Foran Grade hike in Sheep River, including key details of the hike, tips on finding the trailhead, and what to bring along.

FORAN GRADE - HIKE INFORMATION

Here is the key hike information on the Foran Grade hike:

How Long is the Trail? Around 6.8 km for the full loop.

How Difficult is the Trail? Easy-moderate. There's enough climbing to feel like a proper hike, but nothing technical or exposed that would give you pause with kids along.

What is the Elevation Gain on the Trail? Approximately 250m.

How Long Did It Take Us to Do the Hike? Around 2.5 hours of actual walking, though with four kids and a dog in tow, we ended up closer to 3 hours all in.

When Is the Best Time to Do the Hike? This one's doable year-round, with a catch. Highway 546, the access road into Sheep River, is closed to vehicles from December 1 to May 14. You can still hike it during that window, you'll just add roughly 3 km round trip by walking in from the winter gate near Sandy McNabb instead of driving straight to the trailhead. Once the gate reopens on May 15, you can drive right in.

Do I Need a Permit or Park Pass? Yes, you'll need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass for this one too.

Not Sure How the Kananaskis Pass Works?

Read our Q&A on the Kananaskis Conservation Pass for all the details you need before you go.

FINDING THE TRAILHEAD

Sheep River Provincial Park sits about 45 minutes from south Calgary, and is an easy, straightforward drive.

Parking is roadside, right next to the trailhead. There's only room for around 6 vehicles, so it's worth keeping that in mind if you're heading out on a busy weekend, though we managed to find a spot without any trouble.

THE HIKE

Hiking through the meadows towards the trees

The loop starts out in open meadow before the trail climbs into the trees. As you gain height, you'll pick up a steady run of views back over the Sheep River valley - there's no single dramatic lookout point, more a consistent, changing view that keeps getting better the higher you get.

Navigation is really easy the whole way round, as the trail is well-marked throughout. There's no real risk of taking a wrong turn or needing to second-guess a fork with a group of kids behind you.

Once you're over the top, the trail starts winding back down, dropping you back through meadow again. The grass runs a bit longer through this stretch than it did on the way up, so try to stay on the trail to avoid ticks (can be an issue here earlier in the season).

From there, the path brings you back down to the road. Cross over and pick up the trail running alongside the Sheep River, which takes you the rest of the way back to the car. There is a really nice viewpoint here with some benches.

There are a few really short sections with a bit of a drop here, so keep a close eye on kids on this stretch. That said, this is the only spot on the whole loop with any exposure at all, and if you'd rather skip it entirely, you can just walk back along the road instead.

While you're out this way, why not pair it with a visit to Sheep River Falls? It's just down the road and an easy, short add-on if the kids still have energy to burn.

WILDLIFE & SAFETY

This is bear country, so it's definitely worth bringing bear spray and knowing how to use it. We didn't come across any bears ourselves, but sightings are reported on this trail, so stay alert and make noise as you go.

You will almost certainly come across some cows once you head down to the meadow in the second half of the trail. They are generally harmless, but give them a wide berth and keep dogs leashed to avoid spooking them. You'll also want to keep one eye on where you're walking, as the cows tend to leave plenty of surprises along the trail!

We also came across two groups of horseback riders along the way, as it is a popular horseback riding trail. If you encounter horses, step aside, give them plenty of space, and follow any instructions from the riders to ensure everyone passes safely.

IS THIS HIKE GOOD FOR FAMILIES?

the girls walking through the longer grass

Yes - this is one of the better family hikes near Calgary if you want an easy-to-moderate outing for younger children, and dogs are welcome too as long as they're kept on leash. Our own group had four kids between the ages of 9 and 11, plus a dog, and the pace and terrain suited that range well.

There's enough elevation gain and distance to feel like you've actually done something, without any exposed or technical sections that would make you nervous keeping an eye on a group of kids.

Do You Enjoy Hiking as a Family?

For more general advice, check out our post on 20 Tips for Hiking with Kids to help make the day easier for the whole family.

WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU

Bear spray — this is bear country, and it's worth having it easily accessible rather than buried in a bag.
Kananaskis Conservation Pass — required for the park, sort this out before you arrive if you haven't already.
A leash for your dog — required on trail, and useful anyway given the amount of cattle around. Remember to pick up after them too!
Hiking poles — not essential, but pretty helpful on the descent back through the meadow.
Water, snacks, and layers — the usual essentials for a few hours out, plus sturdy footwear given the mix of meadow, trail, and riverside walking.

BEFORE YOU GO

Who We Are

We're a Calgary-based family who love exploring everything the Canadian Rockies have to offer right in our backyard. But our sense of adventure doesn't stop there.

In 2025, we packed our bags and set off on a 100-day round-the-world journey with our two daughters, documenting every day of the adventure in a daily travel diary. Since then, we've been sharing the experiences, lessons, and practical tips we picked up along the way.

Explore our destination guides and itineraries for inspiration from around the globe, and stick around for plenty of Canadian Rockies adventures too.