Hikes in Alberta

The Sentinel Pass hike offers the opportunity to spend a few hours with some of Canada’s most awesome natural wonders in Lake Louise. Start at the beautiful Moraine Lake and then head up through native larches to an alpine pass with astounding views – a truly unforgettable experience.

A hike up Windtower is an underappreciated gem of the Canadian Rockies. First take in West Wind pass and then find the path up Windtower for spectacular views in all directions, especially back towards the Spray Lakes Reservoir. Windtower is one of our favourite hikes in the Kananaskis.

Hiking Red Rock Canyon treats hikers to spectacular layered, red canyon walls, flowing water, and surrounding mountain views. Explore the canyon, dip your feet in the watern and bask in the beauty of the impressive Blakiston Falls hike. This is the best way to introduce you to Waterton Park at a leisurely pace.

Hiking to the Lady MacDonald Tea House is a great hike in Canmore, but beware, you won’t get a Tea House, as it was never built. The Lady MacDonald Teahouse Trail gives great views of Canmore and has wonderful views almost the entire way.

Allstones Ridge and Lake hike near David Thompson Highway is a bucket-list trail that leads to the calm Allstones Lake with lots of space for camping and a possibility to hike to the Allstones Peak just nearby. The trail is relatively short, but most of the scramble is quite steep hiking. At around half of the climb to the lake, you’ll be greeted by stunning views of the surrounding valleys and mountains and this view will lead you all the way to the top.

From the campground, the Astotin Lakeview trail follows an interpretive route through marshes and beaver ponds to panoramic views of the lake. If you are staying at the campground or stopping for the day, this is a bucket list trail in the area. It is quick and easy to complete and provides excellent views of the lake and its landmark islands.

The Beaumaris Lake Trail in Edmonton is another short and simple trail in the city. If you find yourself near the park, definitely consider stopping in. It is close to many restaurants and amenities and is easy to access. The trail is a short loop around the park that features a stunning lake.

The walking paths of Calgary’s Nose Hill Park will reward you with panoramic views of downtown Calgary, the Prairies, and the Rocky Mountains, but don’t forget to take time to appreciate the beauty of the rough Fescue grassland on your way up!

The hike around Mt. Yamnuska is one of Canmore’s favourite hikes. Hiking to Mt. Yamnuska has wonderful views and this is a great hiking trail. But be warned, the chains section is terrifying for many!

The Moraine Lake hike through Rockpile and Lakeshore trail in Lake Louise provides one of the best views of the Canadian Rockies and the stunning Moraine Lake. This hike is best enjoyed very early or in the evening due to large crowds and limited parking.

The Headwall Lakes hike is not as popular as it should be. This walk takes you up into the alpine to a barren and stunning limestone valley and the beautiful Headwall Lakes. Many people hike through this valley on the way to the summit of The Fortress.

Troll Falls is a classic, family-friendly hike near Nakiska, that’s popular year-round. While Troll Falls is certainly a pretty view, our favourite part of the walk is the return journey through Hay Meadow, where you walk along the Kananaskis River and take in wonderful views.

The Bear’s Hump is a short but challenging hike. It offers an incredible sweeping view of Waterton Lakes and townsite. Although the trail is steep, young children will generally have no trouble dispatching it quickly, while parents will likely struggle to catch up. The effort required makes the views even more rewarding. Don’t miss this one!

Johnston Canyon Hike is a great, albeit busy, family hike near Banff. The trail winds through the canyon to the Upper Falls. It can also be extended to the Ink Pots, which boast pretty mountain views. In peak season start before 9am to avoid crowds on the trail.

The Moss Lake Trail passes by Moss Lake almost immediately, yet continues on through marsh areas and various beaver dams in the grasslands. There is a shortcut along the way if your hiking party wishes to cut this one short. The trailhead is nearby Astotin Lake, so if you are camping there, be sure to check this route out!

The Emily Murphy Park trail begins at the statue memorializing Emily Murphy, a prominent activist from Edmonton. The trail travels through the park, over the bridge crossing the North Saskatchewan River, and back to the park. There are plenty of picnic areas, green space, and even a boat launch at this park to make adding extra activities here simple.

Discover the rolling fescue grasslands at Glenbow Ranch, an active cattle ranch set against breathtaking vistas where you could spot the occasional cowboy or two. This underrated destination offers shorter and longer trail routes and is a great place to explore year-round.

Mount St. Piran is a beautiful hike, taking you high above Lake Louise with spectacular views of nature below. Experienced hikers can choose an optional descent off-trail along the backside of the peak – providing an abundant sense of tranquil remoteness on the steep, rugged terrain.

Hiking to Nigel Pass is a rewarding day hike in the Columbia Icefield area. Nigel Pass is an open meadow with spectacular views into the backcountry of Jasper National Park. This hike is a great trail near the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre.

The pretty hike to the Sparrowhawk Tarns is a hard trail to follow, however once you reach the tarns, the beautiful views make up for the route-finding challenges. Don’t wait until autumn, as the tarns dry up and are not as stunning.