Kananaskis Longrider
10 day packtrip

experience level: intermediate-experienced

The Kananaskis Longrider is designed for keen riders who are up to the challenge of covering between 170 and 200 km of rugged mountain trails in Kananaskis Country.

THE ITINERARY

We will arrange pick-up from Calgary in the afternoon, either from the international airport or a hotel – please be sure to send us your arrival or hotel details. The exact pick up time will be coordinated with you directly, but typically we don’t schedule pick-ups before 4 pm. After an approximately 1 hour drive, you will be dropped off at M&M Ranch where we have a welcome meet & greet BBQ or dinner with all guests and the staff to give you and us the chance to get to know each other a bit. You will be able to ask questions and – most importantly – go over the plan for the next days, including weather forecast and reminders of what you need to bring. We will talk to you about your riding skills, preferences and dislikes in a horse so we can select a good match for you to ride over the next days.

You will then be issued a sturdy duffle bag, sleeping bag and mattress. After you check into your room, you will have time to pack and prepare for the trip and socialize with the other guests.

After breakfast, it’s time to meet “your” horse! We carefully pick a companion from our herd to match your abilities and physical size. While grooming and saddling, you get the chance to acquaint yourself with your new friend. After a short test ride in our arena, we will pack a lunch and leave the ranch – either on horseback or by loading them on a trailer and departing from a near trailhead. We take it easy the first day and ride through the forests and meadows of the Foothills until we reach our first camp. It takes 5 hours to get to the first camp.

When arriving in camp, we take care of the horses, groom and feed them and then have time to rest ourselves with a good cup of cowboy coffee or tea. The camp is located near a small river that is refreshing on a hot day for those who like to take a splash!

Dinner is made over an open fire. We have put up large wall tents that offer enough space and shelter for the group.

We break camp after breakfast and depart for our longest day of the week. It takes more than 7 hours to get to our next camp, after riding through breathtaking foothills of ever-increasing height.

The plan is to make a short but dramatic ride up a hidden valley. Because we’ll be returning to the same camp, we can make a leisurely start, and we should be back early enough in the afternoon for a refreshing swim I’m the river near camp.

Weather permitting, the plan is to navigate our way around a mountain range using some very challenging trails. It will take more than 7 hours to complete that loop that is well described as an equestrian obstacle course. Return to the same camp late in the afternoon.

We pack up the horses and move up valley, crossing a low pass into the drainage of the Sheep River. This ride takes us past the highest mountain we’ll see, rising 3200m. It’s a fairly easy day covering about 24 kms.

We pack up again and head north, past some alpine lakes where we’ll take lunch and maybe a swim if it is warm enough. We’ll arrive in our new camp in a beautiful meadow before supper.

There are several options in Paradise Valley, but if conditions are suitable our favourite is to climb to Paradise Pass (2575M). If people feel strong we might continue around a nameless mountain range and make our way back to camp by descending a rugged and steep valley.

After breakfast, we break camp for the last time, pack the horses and ride down the valley where we will be met by the truck and trailer. After 8 days of riding through Kananaskis Country, you will return to civilization, where you can enjoy a shower and a nice dinner in the company of your new found friends. The last night is spent in the lodge at M&M Ranch.

After breakfast, it’s time to say good bye. The shuttle will pick you up around 9.30 AM to take you back to Calgary. With you, will be the memories of an unforgettable adventure in Kananaskis Country.

For the horse enthusiastic adventurer

Over the duration of the trek you will learn the basics of horse packing, wilderness horsemanship, low impact horse camping and a myriad of other skills to fully enjoy horse trekking.

Starting from the foothills, we move progressively westward and deeper into the mountains. We normally move camp 4 times, which allows us to remain for several days in two of the prettiest valleys in the Rockies and do some exploring, unencumbered with pack horses.

intermediate +

days riding: 8

lodge nights: 2

tent nights: 7

intermediate + days riding: 8
lodge nights: 2 tent nights: 7

Summary

8 days of guided riding in Kananaskis Country, pick-up in Calgary and return to Calgary, 2 nights in our guesthouse, all meals from Sunday night to Tuesday morning.

The details

Intermediate to experienced (see details), good level of fitness recommended

Mostly walking on rugged trails with some trots and canters

  • 2 nights at the M&M Ranch
  • 7 nights in camp

Max 8 Guests

Alcohol, 5% goods and services tax, gratuities.

2025 DATES
Arrival Departure Price Availability
29 Jun 8 Jul $5,400 Sold Out
3 Aug 12 Aug $5,400 Sold Out
24 Aug 2 Sept $5,400 Sold Out
2026 DATES
Arrival Departure Price Availability
19 July 2026 28 July 2026 $5,940 3 spots available
23 August 2026 1 September 2026 $5,940 5 spots available

Meals included from arrival day dinner to departure day breakfast (excluding alcohol).

“If you are an experienced rider go for the long packing trips. Don’t worry about your fear of camping. In two nights you will feel perfectly at home. Best horses, best guides and best scenery”

Lewis - Vermont,

“Me and my 15-year old daughter did the Kananaskis Longrider this August. It was an amazing experience and the horses, the guides and the overall organisation was excellent. You should be a good rider (long hours in the saddle including trot and canter and often challenging terrain)!”

Karen - Switzerland,