An oddly shaped mountain in Alberta is named after this popular food item

The best thing since sliced… how does that saying go again? In Alberta, we love to give things homey names, and this mountain pairs perfectly with a certain butter-shaped dome in Edmonton.

Loaf Mountain is aptly named — the flat, bread-shaped mountain is a popular hiking destination in Castle Provincial Park. The journey there is a top trail in the area, but it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. You’ll need a loaf of bread (or two) to get enough fuel to hike this gruelling, 25 km out-and-back hike, with 1,300 metres of elevation gain needed to get to the top of the mountain (or in loaf terms, the crust).

Once you’re at the top, you and a few friends can exchange sandwiches and chow down. It’s a hike that was practically made for crunchy outdoorsy types, and it’s the only one in Alberta named after a food item for miles around.

What to expect

Loaf Mountain is within the boundaries of Castle Provincial Park, near the Alberta-B.C. continental divide.

The 24.6 km out-and-back route consists of a largely steady incline, which snakes past scenic lakes and through rugged terrain. The hike is rated hard, so it’s best suited to experienced mountaineers. But even if you don’t want to hike the trail, it’s cool to know there’s a mountain in Alberta that’s shaped like (and named after) sliced bread.

The ascent up Loaf Mountain on the western ridge is steep, but manageable, and you’ll be rewarded with awesome views of the valley and Bovin (Blue) Lake from the top. There’s some moderate scrambling required on the ridgewalk to Spionkop Ridge, which also offers its own picturesque views of the surrounding provincial park.

This trail experience is truly one-of-a-kind, but you’re best off preparing a safety checklist before you head out. Be sure to check for any warnings in Castle Provincial Park before you go, and brush up on your bear safety and winter hiking safety before you lace up your boots.

So give us today our daily bread, and add a hike up this loaf-look-alike to your adventure wish list. You’ll have to hike it yourself for bragging rights and to say you reached the loaf’s summit.

Loaf Mountain

When: Open seasonally
Where: Pincher Creek No. 9, Alta.
How to get there: Drive 3 hours and 14 minutes south of Calgary via Highway 2 and Highway 22 towards Waterton, Alta.

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