It’s difficult to say which Canadian Rockies hike is truly the most instagramable, but Table Mountain, Alberta is definitely in the running. The view from the top is one of the prettiest scenes in the Canadian Rockies and you can take incredible photos from every direction. Even though it’s a tough hike up, it’s worth the effort to get to one of the most Instagram-worthy places in the Canadian Rockies
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Instagramable? Seriously, What Does That Mean?
The word “instagramable” is an adjective that refers to a picture, person or scene that is worthy of sharing on Instagram. It started out as a slang word, but it became legitimate when the Merriam-Webster Dictionary included it in their 2018 edition. Instagramable is now on the same level as the verb “to Google” which was included in the dictionary in 2006 or the word “selfie” which Oxford Dictionaries proclaimed as the official word of 2013.
Related: Looking for more beautiful destinations in the Canadian Rockies? Check out our post about the Grassi Lakes hike.
Where is Table Mountain, Alberta?
The trail to Table Mountain, Alberta begins in Castle Provincial Park, but the peak itself is in Castle Wildland Provincial Park. In 2017, the two areas were officially declared Alberta’s newest provincial parks. Castle Provincial Park is a 25-minute drive west of Pincher Creek – in southern Alberta.
Getting to the Table Mountain Trailhead
Hot Tip: Do not put “Table Mountain” into your google maps app. When we put “Table Mountain” into the google maps phone app, it took us the wrong way. The trailhead is located at Beaver Mines Lake Campground. Put the campground in your GPS and you’ll get there. From the hamlet of Beaver Mines take Highway 774 south for about 20 kilometres. Follow the signs to Beaver Mines Lake Campground. Once you enter the campground, continue driving straight until you see the sign for the trailhead.
Table Mountain Hike Details
The hike is 10 kilometres return and takes about four hours in total. It’s a moderately difficult hike with a 700-metre elevation gain and a lot of scrambling near the top, but the views are well worth the effort.
Related: If you’re looking for more incredible hikes in the Canadian Rockies, check out Heart Mountain in Kananaskis, Alberta. The Heart Mountain Horseshoe Hike lets you summit three mountains in one day.
Gear Up for the Hike
Take plenty of water, snacks, hiking poles and bear spray on this hike. You’ll definitely want to bring your smartphone or a camera. Be sure to make plenty of noise along the way, so you don’t surprise a bear. Table Mountain Alberta is in the heart of bear country.
What it’s Like to Hike Table Mountain, Alberta
From the trailhead, the trail passes through thick vegetation and trees and it runs beside a creek for a while. Eventually you will see a sign letting you know you are passing into Castle Wildlands Provincial Park. Once you get out of the trees, the views get better, but you’re fully exposed to the sun. The trail gets steeper and becomes more of a scramble as you get closer to the top. We found snow near the top when we hiked it in May. Then suddenly you come up over a ridge and you’re on a flat-topped summit. Even though it’s tempting, don’t get too close to the edge for the sake of an Instagram photo. You can get great photos a safe distance from the cliff’s edge.
A Good Alternative to Bear’s Hump
I first heard about Table Mountain, Alberta from a tour operator in Waterton Lakes National Park. My daughter and I were looking for a good alternative to the Bear’s Hump hike, which was closed due to a wildfire the previous season. Our horseback outfitter overheard us and suggested we hike Table Mountain in nearby Castle Provincial Park. We’re glad she did. The view from the top is every bit as good if not better than the Bear’s Hump hike in Waterton – another of Alberta’s most Instagramable hikes.
Related: It’s just over an hour’s drive from the Table Mountain trailhead to Waterton Lakes National Park. Read our post 15 Fantastically Fun Things to do in Waterton.
5 Comments
Mariam Qureshi
Beautiful!
What time is agood time to start the hike? How long did it take you get to the “table top” lol? 🙂
Is there a campground near by?
Would you recommend against taking an older dog with you?
Is it bear country? could we take snacks in a back pack with us?
These pictures make me wanna go there right now! Im thinking of going end of august or early september, I see there was some snow spots, what type of weather did you encounter ? which month did you go?
: ) lol so many questions lo l .. very excited to go there!
Im on Instagram, if its easier to reply there.. @artist.mariamqureshi
wanderwoman
Thanks for visiting our blog, Mariam! Here are some answers to your questions:
I think it will take a couple of hours to reach the top of Table Mountain. The trailhead is at the Beaver Mines Lake Campground and that would be a good place to stay. You can take dogs on the trail if they’re on a leash. It’s a steep hike with some scrambling and near the top there isn’t much shade, so make sure you bring enough water for you and the dog. This trail is in bear country and you should pack bear spray. We hiked it in May and that’s why there was some snow. If you hike it in August or September there typically wouldn’t be snow. It was a really hot day and we hiked in the afternoon and ran out of water. If it’s a very hot day, hiking in the morning might be a good idea. I’d definitely bring snacks in your day pack. We had a little picnic at the top.
I hope you enjoy your hike. Table Mountain is one of my favourite hikes. Please let me know if you have more questions. Thanks again, Debbie
Carmen
Hi! Can I got to the top with my dog?
Thank you!
Carmen
wanderwoman
Hi Carmen, Dogs are able to use the trail, but they have to be on a leash. It’s a challenging hike in places and there is some loose rock and a little scrambling. It probably depends on the dog, but I think a dog that is used to hiking could do it. Make sure you bring enough water for both you and the dog. There isn’t much shade on the trail. I love this hike. I hope you do too. If you do it with your dog, please let us know how that went. Other readers will be interested. Thanks, Debbie
wanderwoman
Hi Carmen, I think so. I didn’t do it with a dog myself, but dogs are allowed on the trail and I think most dogs could make it to the top okay. Make sure you go on the main trail that leaves from the campground. If you put Table Mountain into Google Maps it will take you another way that is way steeper. Put the campground in your GPS instead. There’s a sign at the trailhead, so you’ll know you’re at the right trail. Please let me know if you have more questions. Thanks, Debbie