Hikes in Alberta

Walking along the Bow River is one of the best family-friendly trails in Canmore, and a great way to explore the Bow Valley and Bow River. Start in Downtown Canmore and wander up or down river, with great views and a fine path. Great hike for those with strollers.

The hike along Opal Ridge is a wonderful hike. This steep hike requires the use of hands to steady you on the way up to Opal Ridge, however the views from the top are spectacular. We love the hike to Opal Ridge.

The Maligne Canyon walk explores the finest limestone gorge in Jasper National Park. This is a great family-friendly hike that provides great views of the mountains and the incredible canyon geology.

The Crandell Lake hike takes you to a beautiful emerald green lake. It offers an inviting place to climb, play, hike, or picnic. You can loop around the entire lake, spend time climbing the rocky crags, sunbathe on the smooth shoreline boulders, or prepare a picnic under the shelter at the beach. This is a wonderful destination for the family.

Hiking along the Hermitage Park South Trail in Edmonton is an easy way to get outside. The centrally located park is connected to other parks via gravel and covered trails. You’ll pass the Pillar of Love memorial statue, picnic areas, boat launches, and a populated wildlife area.

The Cameron Lake Hike is a wonderful, scenic stroll for a warm summer day. With constant views of the lake, beach, and Mount Custer at nearly every point of this beautiful, easy shoreline walk, this is pure nirvana.

The Sunshine Meadows hike is the easiest way to get into the alpine in the Canadian Rockies. The trail starts at the base of Sunshine Ski hill, where you can take the Gondola to the Sunshine Ski village and hike from there. Rock Isle Lake is truly stunning!

The hike to Old Goat Glacier is a classic Kananaskis hike on the Smith-Dorrien. While not as popular as other trails, this is a fun hike that is great for intermediate hikers who don’t mind a few steep bits. There are great views of the Old Goat Glacier as well as back towards the Spray Lakes Reservoir.

Wasootch Ridge is an easy choice as one of the best hikes near Canmore. Once you are up on the ridgeline, the valley feels isolated, with no other sounds or trails visible. This is a great day out!

The Grotto Canyon hike is a local favourite. Expect to see families and rock climbers as they hike along the pretty Grotto Canyon near Canmore.

Shunda Mountain trail is a beautiful route near Nordegg, leading to the fire lookout called the Baldy Lookout. This place was chosen as a great location for a fire lookout because of the expansive views of the surrounding area. The path to the top is quite steep and is used as a service road, so it’s of good quality. The terrain near the top is very open, so beautiful views are guaranteed. And there’s plenty of space for a picnic!

The Terwillegar Park West Loop is part of an intricate web of local trails at the base of Rabbit Hill. This loop sees the perimeter of the park while many other trails pass through the middle. It is easy to get off trail, but with so many options, you will always be able to make it back to the trailhead. The route is well-signed and follows simple terrain.

What’s in a name? At Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, come prepared for some serious birding with over 270 species to observe in this wildlife nature reserve. Listen to the birds sing as you walk along shady paths, perfect for little ones who want to adventure close to home.

The hike to Black Prince Cirque and then Black Prince Lakes is stunning. This hike takes you to a classic Kananaskis cirque and then the beautiful Black Prince Lakes. It’s hard to believe so few people take the time to hike up to Black Prince Lakes and Black Prince Cirque.

Anybody driving the Icefields Parkway should stop in at Bow Lake and do this family-friendly hike. Hiking along the edge of Bow Lake is a great break. Enjoy the great views of a stunning lake on this easy hike.

Some Calgarians rate Picklejar Lakes as their absolute favourite hike in the Canadian Rockies. It’s not hard to see why. The hike to Picklejar Lakes is a great intermediate hike, with varied terrain and wonderful views.

A helpful waiter shared this gem as a local’s view of the best hikes in Jasper. This beautiful route goes up to the backside of Mount Edith Cavell offering great views, though the hike on to Verdant Pass involves some route finding and most don't make the entire journey.

The Ram Mountain hike is a beautiful hiking route that is located in the middle of nowhere - around a 1-hour drive from Nordegg and 3.5 from Calgary. This trail is quite remote and not very well known, and that adds up to the whole magic of the surrounding area. Even though this hike is quite long, the route is very pleasant, as it inclines quite slowly, and evenly— so fit hikers might even call this trail ‘easy’!

The Canmore Hoodoos Trail is a quick trip from downtown to explore the bench above the valley. It has outstanding views of the Three Sisters and other surrounding peaks. The trail is close to a bike park and other trail networks in the area.

The Kinsmen Park trail in Edmonton begins near the John Walter Museum and Queen Elizabeth Pool. Despite being only a one-hour hike, this area has all the recreational features to fulfill a half-day of activities. Plan accordingly; you can stay here after your hike and enjoy the park to its fullest.