Horseshoe + Goats of Grotto

Difficulty: Easy 
Distance: 8 km 
Elevation Gain: 382 m 
Parking: Cougar Creek Trailhead
Trail Report: Horseshoe Loop
Combine With: Montane, Grotto Traverse
Download GPX File

Extend your Run

There are endless combinations of routes possible on the lower slopes of Grotto Mountain and Mount Lady MacDonald.

Local Tips

  • The Goats of Grotto traverse as it is known locally is one of the Bow Valley’s best kept secrets as far as running routes go. This unofficial trail has existed for years, but has yet to show up on most mapping apps which has allowed it to stay off many people’s radars.

  • The upper traverse trail is bound on either side by two of the most popular Grotto Mountain hiking routes. Many people will decide to link this trail into an ascent up to the ridgeline of Grotto Mountain, either on the way up or way down, which breaks up the unrelentingly steep climb up this mountain.

  • This route is described in a clockwise direction, starting up the relatively new 404 climb trail and descending the steep ACC trail. If you prefer to hike the steeps and run down on flowy trail, reversing the direction would be preferable. On the north end of the route, it’s possible to go up/down the standard Grotto west ridge trail or the Horseshoe Slabs to gain the traverse trail.

  • As of 2026, the G8 and G9 trails were partially closed due to expansion of the Graymont Quarry. It is no longer possible to complete these loops, though you can still climb to a beautiful lookout point along the G9 trail and return the same way.