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How to Plan Your Trip Along Alberta’s Highway 3 Ale Trail
Posted on June 22, 2026 by Nerissa McNaughton
Highway 3 Ale Trail trip planning guide to Southern Alberta’s breweries, scenic drives, local food, and top stops from Crowsnest Pass to Medicine Hat.
If your ideal getaway includes great beer, wide-open scenery, and a string of welcoming small cities and mountain towns, Alberta’s Highway 3 Ale Trail deserves a spot on your list this year.
Running through Crowsnest Pass, Fort Macleod, Lethbridge, and Medicine Hat, this Southern Alberta route brings together craft breweries, museums, attractions, and shops, each with its own style, setting, and local story. It’s part road trip, part tasting tour, and part excuse to slow down and explore a beautiful stretch of the province.
Whether you want a weekend escape or a longer summer drive, here’s how to plan a fun, relaxed, and memorable trip along the Highway 3 Ale Trail.
What Is the Highway 3 Ale Trail?
The Highway 3 Ale Trail is a craft beer route that follows the Crowsnest Highway through Southern Alberta. Along the way, you can visit breweries and shops spread across several distinct destinations. What makes this trail special is the mix. You’re not just visiting taprooms. You’re moving from mountain views and foothills to historic main streets, urban stops, prairie skies, and coulees. Every stretch of the drive feels a little different.
Brewery Highlights Along the Trail
Every brewery on the Highway 3 Ale Trail brings something different to the experience.
Here are some of the many ones you can visit.
- Crowsnest Pass and Lundbreck
The Pass Beer Co. is a natural stop if you’re starting in the west. It’s known for a laid-back mountain-town feel that fits perfectly after a day outdoors. Then move on to Oldman River Brewing adds another worthwhile stop on the western end of the trail. Set near the foothills, it’s a good place to settle in for a pint and a meal before continuing east.
- Fort Macleod
Stronghold Brewing brings craft beer to historic Main Street in Fort Macleod. It’s a family-run brewery with an approachable lineup, making it a great stop for both seasoned beer fans and casual visitors.
- Lethbridge
Spectrum Ale Works is known for a wide range of house-brewed beers, including core favourites and rotating selections, while Theoretically Brewing Co. adds a creative, community-focused stop to the trail. Known for intriguing, European-inspired ales, it has become a standout for travellers looking for something a little different.
- Medicine Hat
Medicine Hat Brewing Company revives a historic local brewing name and offers a welcoming taproom experience with a broad selection. Travois Ale Works offers a cozy setting in a historic downtown building, blending traditional influences with a fresh craft approach.
What Else You Can Do Along the Way
One of the best things about the Highway 3 Ale Trail is how easy it is to build a full trip around it. You can add nature, history, food, and local attractions without going far off route. The trail offers easy access to outdoor adventure in and around Crowsnest Pass. Hiking, biking, and scenic drives fit naturally into this part of the trip. Stop at Lundbreck Falls!This is one of the route’s classic photo stops and a great way to break up the drive. Fort Macleod’s historic main street makes a strong impression. Add time for a walk through town or a visit to nearby heritage attractions.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Ale Trail Adventure
A great ale trail trip is a responsible one. Keep these basics in mind as you plan.
- Choose a designated driver if anyone in your group is tasting
- Pace yourself and keep your brewery stops realistic
- Drink water throughout the day
- Eat regularly, especially if you’re visiting multiple taprooms
- Stay overnight instead of trying to squeeze too much into one day
- Respect each community you visit and travel thoughtfully
If you’re sharing your trip online, a few photos of the scenery, food, and taprooms will likely inspire someone else to plan their own Southern Alberta getaway.
A Road Trip Worth Savoring
Alberta’s Highway 3 Ale Trail is a fun way to experience Southern Alberta through its breweries, landscapes, and communities. However you explore it this year, the Highway 3 Ale Trail is best experienced responsibly, one stop at a time. Cheers to the road ahead.
Nerissa McNaughton is a freelance writer and a contributor to Alberta Newspaper Group. This story was written for the Alberta Newspaper Groups Sunny Escapes Guide advertising feature. Sunny Escapes is a special feature about things to do in Alberta this summer. Activities like, staycations, road trips, camping, and other adventures including local attractions, events and food & beverage destinations across Alberta. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff.
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