Big Elbow-Little Elbow Loop

Kananaskis Improvement District, Alberta, Canada

26.2 miles (42.1 km) · 2,779 ft elevation gain · Loop · trail · Route

Big Elbow-Little Elbow Loop is a 26.2-mile loop route in Kananaskis Improvement District, Alberta, Canada, gaining 2,779 feet of elevation. The route follows a up-and-over elevation profile. The terrain breaks into 3 distinct sections including 1 significant climb. The longest climb covers 12.0 miles gaining 2,270 feet at an average 3.1% grade. Approximately 82% of the route is runnable at a steady effort. The route opens with a climb and finishes with flat terrain.

Route facts

Distance	26.2 mi (42.1 km)
Elevation gain	2,779 ft (847 m)
Average gain	106 ft per mile (20 m per km)
Longest climb	11.9 mi, 1,973 ft of gain
Steepest climb grade	15%
Runnable	82% of the route
Climbs / descents	1 climbs, 1 descents
Profile shape	Up, then down
Difficulty score	9.3 of 100
Surface	trail
Route shape	Loop
Type	Route

Grade breakdown

Grade band	Share of route
Flat	49%
Mild uphill	17%
Moderate uphill	11%
Steep uphill	2%
Mild downhill	9%
Moderate downhill	7%
Steep downhill	6%

Questions about Big Elbow-Little Elbow Loop

How much elevation gain does Big Elbow-Little Elbow Loop have?

Big Elbow-Little Elbow Loop has 2,779 ft (847 m) of elevation gain over 26.2 miles (42.1 km). That averages 106 ft of gain per mile.

How difficult is Big Elbow-Little Elbow Loop?

The difficulty score for Big Elbow-Little Elbow Loop is 9.3 of 100. That is harder than 66.7% of routes at a similar distance. About 82% of the route is runnable at typical trail effort; the rest is steep enough that most runners hike.

What is the longest climb on Big Elbow-Little Elbow Loop?

The longest climb on Big Elbow-Little Elbow Loop runs 11.9 miles (19.2 km) and gains 1,973 ft (601 m). The steepest climb grade on the route is 15%.