Photographing the Sundial Hill Medicine Wheel

I finally made time to visit the Sundial Hill Medicine Wheel. Wow. It was a peaceful, beautiful experience. It is one of those one in a lifetime trips that everyone should get the chance to experience.

I liken it to visiting the Faery Glen on the Isle of Skye, but without the tourists. It is peaceful and spiritual. It is old very old. 

What is the Sundial Hill Medicine Wheel?

Medicine wheels were constructed by the indigenous people of the great plains. They were typically built on the top of a hill with stones set in a circular patterns on the ground oriented to the four directions.

In the centre of one or more stone circles there is a large stone cairn. Essentially, this cairn consists of a large pile of stones. The outer rings of stones are similar to radiating spokes.


However, the Sundial Hill Medicine Wheel diverges from the normal pattern. In fact, the Sundial Hill Medicine Wheel has a second smaller circle to set to the immediate south of the main cairn. Although this small circle remains within the exterior stone rings.

From the south there is what appears to be an entrance path through the circles up to the stone cairn. In fact, this path can be observed as it is lined with stones.




What was the Sundial Hill Medicine Wheel for?

Medicine wheels are associated with religious ceremonies. However, there is some uncertainty about what the ancestors to the modern indigenous people used them for. It is possible they were used for healing or for telling time.

Whatever the reason, hopefully these medicine wheels will be part of the regeneration of the original inhabitants of this beautiful country.

How to Get There

Finding the Sundial Hill Medicine Wheel is pretty straight forward even though there are no signs and the area is quite remote. A truck or an SUV is also advisable as there is some off road driving required.

From Calgary, drive south on Highway 2 until you pass the small town of Parkland. After Parkland, turn left onto Highway 529 towards Champion.

Turn south at the intersection of highways 529 and 23 and drive passed Champion to the town of Carmangay. Exit Highway 23 at Carmangay and drive right through the centre of town to Range Road 234. Range Road 234 heads north for a short distance and then curves east and becomes Range Road 140.

Follow Range Road 140 past its intersection with Range Road 213. On your right will be a small road that leads off of Range Road 140. It is very close to a set of large power lines that cross the road. The power lines crossing the road was my marker for looking for the turn.

There is a dead end sign at the corner where you turn. Comforting I know. Follow this small road until it curves to the left. Instead of curving, you simply leave the road at this point and follow a trail in a pasture until you reach a small parking area at the base of the hill where the Sundial Hill Medicine Wheel is located.

Its a very short hike to the top from there.




What not to do at the Sundial Hill Medicine Wheel

The Sundial Hill Medicine Wheel is a cultural site that may be thousands of years old. It may also be a site of significant cultural and religious importance. Please treat the site with respect, to behave with dignity.

It is also important to take nothing away from the site and to leave nothing you bring behind.


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Location: Carmangay, AB T0L 0N0, Canada

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