Whitehorse Wildland Provincial Park

Alberta Parks

Cardinal Headwaters

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  • From the Cardinal Divide, continue south on the rough road, down a very steep hill to a parking lot at the beginning of Cardinal Headwaters Trail. This old seismic line was heavily used by OHVs and has been hardened to help prevent further damage.
  • OHVs are still permitted, but only as far as Cardinal Falls.
  • At km 1.7, a small branch goes left toward Rocky (Cardinal) Pass, the other major pass though to Jasper National Park. The trip into the national park takes several days and is open to hikers and equestrian users only.
  • At km 4, the trail goes around the base of Tripoli Ridge and continues northwest, climbing slowly. After crossing a willow meadow, the trail climbs more steeply up to tree line (at km 8).
  • From here it is another 5 km to Cardinal Falls, located near the head of the valley across wide-open alpine tundra. The wildland park boundary is just beyond the falls.
  • You can continue to the col at the head of the valley or to the top of Prospect Mountain.
    OHV use is permitted only on the part of the Cardinal Headwaters Trail that lies OUTSIDE the Whitehorse Wildland Park boundary (to Cardinal Falls only).
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    Length 13+ km one-way
    Elevation: 350 m
    Difficulty
    Summer
    Winter
    Trailheads
    Trail Map Map
    • Updated: Mar 20, 2025