Hiking trails in Alberta

Hikes in Alberta

Province in Canada

The Canadian Province of Alberta is an outdoor-lovers paradise. World famous destinations like Jasper, Lake Louise, Waterton and Banff draw the crowds, and for good reason – they’re beautiful. Big mountains, stunning emerald coloured lakes, abundant glaciers, forests, game and fresh air make Alberta one of the best places for your upcoming holiday.

With most of the accessible Rocky Mountains in Alberta protected by national and provincial parks, a holiday in Alberta is special. There are big mountains, stunning emerald coloured lakes, glaciers, forests and fresh air. Alberta has some of the best, untouched wilderness on earth, and the ideal way to explore this wonderful province is on foot, ski or bike.

In winter, there are downhill ski areas, most famous are the ski resorts Sunshine Village and Lake Louise. Winter is not just about downhill skiing, there is also abundant xc-ski trails and exhilarating backcountry skiing options. Winter is also low season, and a trip to Alberta in winter means great hotel rates.

Summer sees Alberta’s national parks fill up with eager outdoor explorers. Luckily there is just so much nature that you only notice the crowds in a few places, the rest of the Canadian Rockies stay peaceful and tranquil. While hiking is the most popular summer activity, you can also climb, bike, canoe and kayak.

After a hard day outdoors, one of the best parts of Alberta are the great mountain towns. Full of everything from campsites to 5-star hotels, these towns allow you to enjoy some civilization, which means great coffee, good food and fun bars!

Guide-book quality info for over 8,000 trails

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Hiking regions in Alberta

Best Hikes in Alberta

Open details for Weaselhead Flats

Weaselhead Flats

Very Easy
4.6 km
52 m
1-1.5h

Escape to nature without leaving the city! Weaselhead Flats offers 237 hectares of pleasant pathways tailor-made for chilled-out hikes and gusts of fresh air. This area is more of a network of routes than just one individual walk, so you can go on an aimless wander or find a path you like. And we have the directions for our favourite loop below!

User Ratings
Overall Rating
9.9
Technical Difficulty
Easy (Circle)
Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
Physical Difficulty
Easy (Circle)
Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
Open details for Heart Mountain Horseshoe

Heart Mountain Horseshoe

Hard
11.8 km
935 m
4.5-6.5h

Hiking the Heart Mountain Horseshoe is a wonderful hike near Canmore. Hiking the full Horseshoe gets you away from the highway and into incredible, big-mountain views. Who knew hiking around Heart Mountain would be this great? We love this hike!

User Ratings
Overall Rating
9.9
Technical Difficulty
Easy (Circle)
Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
Physical Difficulty
Intermediate (Square)
Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
Open details for Lake Minnewanka Lakeside

Lake Minnewanka Lakeside

Easy
17.1 km
360 m
4-5.5h

A walk around Lake Minnewanka is a special treat for those in Banff. This trail winds along a beautiful mountain-fringed lake and can be as short or as long as you want. It’s especially wonderful in spring and autumn when most other hikes are snowbound.

User Ratings
Overall Rating
9.8
Technical Difficulty
Easy (Circle)
Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
Physical Difficulty
Easy (Circle)
Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
Open details for Carthew – Alderson

Carthew – Alderson

Hard
20.1 km
651 m
5.5-7.5h

The Carthew-Alderson hike is a beautiful one-way hike providing epic and vastly varied views. You’ll see mountain peaks, rocky red slopes, and alpine lakes. Carthew-Alderson is one of Waterton’s Triple Crown hikes. You’ll need a shuttle to the trail-head for this hike.

User Ratings
Overall Rating
9.8
Technical Difficulty
Intermediate (Square)
Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
Physical Difficulty
Intermediate (Square)
Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
Open details for Wilcox Pass

Wilcox Pass

Moderate
9.8 km
409 m
3-4h

The Wilcox Pass hike offers hikers easy access to alpine meadows as well as incredible views of the peaks and glaciers on the eastern edge of the Columbia Icefield. This hike is a must-do when you’re on the Icefields Parkway, and a great trail to enjoy the Athabasca Glacier for free.

User Ratings
Overall Rating
9.7
Technical Difficulty
Easy (Circle)
Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
Physical Difficulty
Easy (Circle)
Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
Open details for Tuff Puff Ridge Hike

Tuff Puff Ridge Hike

Hard
11.2 km
940 m
4.5-6.5h

Tuff Puff Ridge is a beautiful trail near David Thompson Highway that attracts a lot of hikers, not only because of its ear-catching name, but also because of the blooming wildflowers surrounding it. The trail is of great quality and the summit has beautiful views of the surrounding Canadian Rockies. You will be able to observe Whirlpool Ridge, Two O-Clock Ridge and North Saskatchewan River from the best angles!

User Ratings
No Reviews
Open details for Cox Hill Hike

Cox Hill Hike

Hard
13.4 km
774 m
4.5-6.5h

Hiking Cox Hill Ridge is a great way to spend a half-day in the summer. Save this one for wildflower season, and you won’t be disappointed. The multi-use trail can get busy with bikers, hikers, and runners, so be prepared to run into some speedy trail users.

User Ratings
No Reviews
Open details for Astotin Lake Lakeshore Trail

Astotin Lake Lakeshore Trail

Easy
6.4 km
85 m
1.5-2h

The Astotin Lake Lakeshore Trail is an out-and-back route that leaves directly from the Astotin Lake Campground in the heart of Elk Island Park. It is great for all abilities, and groups can choose to turn back at any time to shorten the overall distance. You will get great views of the lake and its many islands, including the notable Long Island.

User Ratings
No Reviews
Open details for Horseshoe Canyon Loop Trail

Horseshoe Canyon Loop Trail

Easy
3.9 km
113 m
1-1.5h

Hiking the 3.9 km loop that makes up the Horseshoe Canyon Trail is the best way to see Horseshoe Canyon Provincial Park. This trail is the highlight of the area, and even though it is highly popular, it is worth a visit. You’ll feel like you have been whisked away to another planet when you catch a glimpse of the incredible canyon.

User Ratings
No Reviews
Open details for Cameron Heights Loop

Cameron Heights Loop

Moderate
7.3 km
183 m
2-2.5h

Hiking the Cameron Heights Loop trail is a great way to spend a few hours in the city. The park is full of forested areas and clearings with great views. There are multiple starting areas and intersecting trails, which makes this a great trail to make your own. Choose your own adventure on this family-friendly trail.

User Ratings
No Reviews

Change happens, fees shouldn't

Suggested Tours

Open details for Summit Mount Olympus Trekking Tour

Summit Mount Olympus Trekking Tour

Greece
Trekking
Self-Guided
4 days
From $195
Months Tour Operates
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A
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This tour is your chance to trek one of the most mystical mountains on earth: Mount Olympus. This self-guided journey starts in Litochoro, an enchanting town at the foot of Greece’s highest peak. Then you’ll spend two days on the mountain, sleeping in a mountain hut on the second night. You should be comfortable hiking up some serious elevation on this tour to reach the summit, a worthy reward for your effort.

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Open details for Jericho to Jerusalem through Wadi Qelt Tour

Jericho to Jerusalem through Wadi Qelt Tour

Israel
Trekking
Self-Guided
2 days
From $190
Months Tour Operates
J
F
M
A
M
J
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The incredible Jericho to Jerusalem through Wadi Qelt Hiking journey from Jericho to Jerusalem is the perfect introduction to the natural beauty of the West Bank region that spans Palestine and Israel. Journeying on foot, you’ll experience these iconic areas in a truly unique and spectacular way.

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Open details for Avalanche Skills Training 1 in the Canadian Rockies

Avalanche Skills Training 1 in the Canadian Rockies

2 days
From $225
Months Tour Operates
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
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Avalanche safety is a must-have tenet of backcountry adventure and a critical step in keeping yourself and your adventure partners safe in the wintertime and shoulder season. The Avalanche Skills Training 1 in the Canadian Rockies tour is a practical chance to learn the basics of avalanche safety in one of the most beautiful mountain environments in the world.

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Open details for Self-Guided Mount Triglav Trek

Self-Guided Mount Triglav Trek

Slovenia
Walking
Self-Guided
3 days
From $250
Months Tour Operates
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
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O
N
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Take on a quintessential Slovenian trekking adventure to the summit of its highest mountain! The Self-Guided Mount Triglav Trek allows you to hike at your own pace and enjoy the incredible scenery of Triglav National Park.

View More

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