Hikes in Alberta

The Cabin Lake Hike is a beautiful trail that is accessible directly from the town of Jasper. It is a nice option for those looking for an easy to moderate trail or those in need of a rest day from peak bagging in the area. Enjoy a smaller lake on the way to Cabin Lake, where you can sit in solitude by the calm waters.

Taking the Whirlpool Valley Fire Road up towards the Whirlpool backcountry campground is a great day out that can be a combined bike and hike effort. Join backpackers as they begin their journey to Athabasca Pass for your day trip. You will wind up the Whirlpool River, gaining 358 m in elevation.

The accessible and family-friendly Cottonwood Creek trail is a great way to spend an hour outside without making too many plans. Explore the quiet forest with intermittent views along this creekside trail. The trail leads to Pyramid Lake Road and Cottonwood Slough before turning back.

The Jasper Discovery Trail is a great way to see the town of Jasper while taking in some interpretive information. The trail is equipped with benches, bridges and signs. The views are excellent for something that circumnavigates town, and you won’t get bored making your way through various features along the trail.

The Wapiti Trail is a beautiful way to see the Athabasca River and connect the campground to town. If you are staying at Wapiti, you can’t skip this route! It follows an easy path along the Athabasca River with benches and viewpoints galore.

The Red Squirrel Trail takes hikers between the Old Fort Point Trail and Jasper Park Lodge. It is a short paved connector trail that is used to gain access to other trails. Feel free to take a short stroll from town along the Red Squirrel Trail if you are looking to explore with kids.

The Mary Schaffer loop trail is a gentle circuit that explores the shores of Maligne Lake, offering interpretive signage and great views away from the main viewing area. You’ll see boat tours and paddlers out on the incredible waters as you pass by in the forest.

The Dorothy and Christine Lakes trail is a beautiful forested trail west of Jasper. It features stunning lakes and has much less traffic than some of the popular Jasper trails. This is a great way to explore the Yellowhead Highway and the western side of the park.

The Sheep River Falls trail is a short and easy trail that leads hikers to a beautiful waterfall along the Sheep River. Consider spending some time having a picnic or splashing in the water when visiting this area. You likely won’t get your heart rate up, but it is the perfect spot to enjoy some nature.

The Elbow Falls Loop is a popular trail for good reason. Only a short drive from the city, this beautiful trail shows off the wonders of the Elbow River Valley in a short distance. Bring the whole family, and plan a good half-day of relaxing and outdoor activity to make the most out of this area.

The Sulphur Springs trail in the Elbow River area is part of an extremely well-maintained multi-sport trail system. The trail is forested with many clearings that provide great views. There are lots of junctions along this route, so using a GPS is recommended. Join the Riverview Trail to create a full loop.

The Alder Trail is a short lollipop loop in Bragg Creek Provincial Park. It is an educational interpretive trail that is host to signage that discusses local flora and fauna. The trail is easy to navigate and perfect for all abilities. Please note, you must cross a busy road to access the trail.

The Iron Springs trail connects Highway 66 with Township Road 232. It is a great multi-use trail for intermediate hikers. The straightforward trail travels through the forest and features moderate rolling elevation.

The Diamond T Loop is an excellent beginner-intermediate trail in Kananaskis. It is part of a broader trail system and has many options to extend your trip. The trail is mostly forested but has plenty of clearings with great views and one prominent viewpoint that makes the whole trail worth hiking for.

Green Mountain trail is a must-do in Bragg Creek. Not many surrounding trails have the views and lookout options that Green Mountain has. This is an excellent option for intermediate hikers ready to tackle some elevation and make a full circuit of the area.

The Barrier Lake trail is a smooth and gentle multi-use trail that sees hikers, backpackers, and cyclists. It travels across the Barrier Dam and into the forest offering excellent views of the lake through the clearings. This is a great hike for families looking to explore trails around the day-use area.

The hike to Carnarvon Lake involves steady inclines, chain sections, and 857m of elevation gain to reach the objective. It is a great hike for those looking for something more adventurous. Experienced hikers will find this trail to be more entertaining than most others. Pack some overnight gear to spend a night at the lake if you want to really take advantage of the incredible Carnarvon Lake.

The trail up Heart Creek is a popular access point for rock climbers; however, the canyon is wide open and the trail follows the creek upstream before coming to a turnaround point. There are some small foot bridges and lots of opportunities to explore the area on this trail.

The trail to Frozen Lake follows the Elk Pass and Elk Lake trail for the first 4.2 km. The wide, decommissioned road is easy to follow and passes by some power lines on the way. This is a destination hike, so don’t expect to be wowed along the way, you’ll have to wait until you reach your objective after gaining elevation steadily from Elk Pass.

The hike to Galatea Lakes follows a beautiful trail that winds up through the forest to the stunning Lillian Lake. A well-equipped backcountry campsite is located here, where you can take a rest on the benches and enjoy the scenery before moving on. You’ll climb up into the subalpine, where you will find the Upper and Lower Galatea Lakes.