Hikes in Alberta

The hike on the Black Prince Interpretive Trail is a great family-friendly hike on the Smith-Dorrien. The trip takes you to Warspite Lake on a good path and there are great views once at Warspite Lake.

The Sibbald Flats interpretive trail travels around Sibbald Lake and includes many educational signs. It starts in the central Sibbald Flats Recreation Area, which makes it great for those looking for something quick and easy from a central area.

Hiking to Crescent Falls won’t take very long, but you’ll probably want to stay awhile. With its magnificent viewpoint, it's a must-do in the David Thompson region. The nearby campground makes for the perfect basecamp when exploring the area. The trail will take you straight to the falls and back. Although rocky and rooty in some spots, this trail is accessible to all abilities.

The Three Sisters Pass is a steep trail that leads to a memorable viewpoint of the incredible Three Sisters peaks in Canmore. The trail leads up some rough rock up to a bench below the peaks. This trail sees very little traffic, but is worth a visit.

Be sure to grab binoculars and bring the whole family for a hike at Lafarge Meadows in Calgary’s Southeast. Diverse wildlife like moose, owls, osprey and red-necked grebes can be found among the engineered wetlands. Walk alongside the Bow River or maybe even cast a line in the water, then head past the Blue Devil Golf Club where you can spot golfers practicing their swing.

The hike up to Crowfoot Pass and onwards to Balfour Viewpoint provides serene solitude in the remote backcountry. Enjoy a river crossing, a high alpine pass and incredible view of a majestic waterfall. For the adventurous scrambler, the steep rocky Bow Peak Scramble can be added to this trail.

The Bald Hills are a legendary hike in Jasper, getting you high above the tree line with opportunities to explore this incredible chain of hills and summit other peaks. The views are sublime in all directions – definitely a great trail in Jasper National Park.

The hike around Upper Kananaskis Lake offers tremendous views, varied terrain and limited elevation gain – a great trail for all levels of hikers. This is also an especially good option for shoulder season in Canmore, when the route is far less crowded.

The out-and-back Siffleur Falls Trail is an excellent half- to full-day adventure (and possibly overnight). The first set of falls appear quickly, and you can choose your own adventure from here. One waterfall might be satisfactory for your trip, but the whole trail features three sets of falls and crosses two rivers. This is a low-traffic trail that seems to be a hidden gem of the David Thompson Highway region.

The Cougar Creek Trail in Canmore starts at a multi-sport adventure hub. The parking area is a starting place for cyclists, climbers, scramblers, and hikers. Heading up the main creek area is simple. Hikers can choose their own route for the most part, following a defined trail beyond some flood mitigation structures.

The trail to Guinn’s Pass is spectacular, offering stunning views. This hike takes in Lillian Lake, Lower Galatea Lake and then up to Guinn’s Pass, offering views down to Ribbon Lake and over to Buller Pass. This trip is pretty special.

The hike to Johnston Canyon and the Ink Pots is a great, albeit busy, hike near Banff. The trail winds through the canyon to the Upper Falls. From there continue on to the Ink Pots and the pretty mountain views. In peak season don't try this route between 9am and 5pm due to crowds.

The Ram Falls Trail is located in the central hub of Ram Falls Provincial Park, next to the Ram Falls campground. This is a must-do out-and-back hike that takes less than an hour to complete. During the 800 m round trip, be sure to spend some extra time admiring the falls and the abundant scenery in the area.

Bordered on three sides by the city, this hiking trail in western Fish Creek feels like an oasis in the middle of an urban jungle. Take in grasslands, forests and wetland vistas, relax, or even fish—this trail has it all.

For one of the most beautiful views near Banff, the hike to Aylmer Lookout is a must-see. It’s especially great for shoulder season, when there is still too much snow up high. The trail includes great views of Lake Minnewanka and the surrounding Fairholme range.

The hike to Elbow Lake is a wonderful, family-friendly hike in the Highwood Area. Adventurous types will want to continue and explore the area beyond Elbow Lake, and we love the hike to the Alpine that explores the Rae Glacier.

Hiking to Cline River Falls follows a short and easy trail that leads up through the must-see Cline River Canyon to the waterfalls. It requires little effort to reach as you hike for a short distance right off the highway. If you’re coming or going from camping in central Nordegg, this is the perfect trail. You’ll see some incredible natural beauty in just a short trip.

This is our favorite family-friendly hike in all of Jasper, with a well-maintained path taking you to a dramatic viewpoint up close to a glacier and stunning lake below. If you're lucky you'll see icebergs in the lake and a few marmots along the walk.

Hiking the Fish Lake Trail won’t take long, but it makes for the perfect family walk from the Fish Lake Campground. This might not be a bucket list pitstop along the David Thompson Highway, but it’s sure worth the walk when staying at the Fish Lake Campground of the Frontier Lodge. The trail is perfect for families or those with a time limit.

The hike up King Creek Ridge is spectacular – offering the chance to get up close with the spectacular Opal Range, views of Mount Wintour and the valley of the Kananaskis Lakes. Although this is a very steep hike in Canmore, it’s absolutely worth it for adventurous, fit hikers.