The Canadian Rockies are a sight to behold, filling your vision with snow-capped mountains, forests, glaciers, jewel-toned lakes, caves, waterfalls and much more! Home to two beautiful and well-known national parks – Banff and Jasper – no matter where you visit you will find plenty of outdoor activities all year long. One can never get bored of hiking in Alberta. Here are 6 of the most scenic and popular hikes in Alberta.
Grassi Lakes Trail
This family friendly hike close to Canmore offers two routes. Choose between “easy” and “difficult” routes, both of which will lead you to a majestic lake surrounded by panoramic views of Canmore. The easier trail is called Grassi Lake Upper, and follows an old road through a dense forest. The more difficult route to the left is the Grassi Lake Interpretive Trail, while climbs through forested terrain until reaching a very steep section with beautiful views of a waterfall and the town of Canmore. Keep an eye out for rock climbers — it’s a popular spot for beginners thanks to a section of rock with large, easy-to-grip holds.
Length: 1.9 km
Grotto Canyon Trail
The Grotto Canyon Trail is a great hike with incredible views throughout. Walk through a narrow-walled creek bed in this majestic canyon, with great views of nearby peaks. There’s a lot to see along the way, including ancient pictographs and unique rock formations. When you hit a fork in the road, turn right for a beautiful waterfall. In the winter, the waterfall freezes and draws ice climbers. If you continue going straight, you will see hoodoos and a cave. The walls of the canyon start to appear and the rocks become smooth as users climb towards the waterfall.
Length: 7.1 km
Tunnel Mountain
This short hike starts right in the town of Banff and leads you on fairly steep switchbacks up the forested side of a mountain. While it may be a moderately challenging route, the 360 views of Banff are well worth it. Take a rest at the summit on Parks Canada lawn chairs.
Length: 4.5 km
Johnston Canyon
Walk along sturdy catwalks that overlook the canyon carved steeply into the limestone bedrock, to the magnificent Lower and Upper Falls. The overhanging canyon walls, waterfalls and the deep pools of Johnston Creek make it a place of dramatic natural beauty accessible to many travelers. Once you’ve soaked in the scenery, you can continue another 3 km to the Ink Pots — seven mineral springs in the open meadows beside Johnston Canyon Creek. Give yourself half a day to complete this trek. In the winter, there are guided tours offered to hike on the icewalk.
Length: 5.1 km
Lake Louise Lakeshore
Take a jaunt on this path along the shoreline of the sublime Lake Louise. This is one of the most remarkable views in the Canadian Rockies, which could have you standing in front of the lake for hours admiring the views. Be sure to bring your camera because the water is so clear, it reflects the mountain backdrop. After walking in front of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, you can continue hiking another 4 km along the shores of Lake Louise to admire the mountain from different angles, as well as the view of the hotel in the distance. This is a very popular area for birding as well, so you can bring bird seeds and feed the birds!
Length: 4.5 km
Sunwapta Falls
Located just off the Icefields Parkway, this easy hike gives you an unforgettable view of the epic Sunwapta Falls and Canyon. Follow the Lower Sunwapta Falls trail for a closer view of the falls. The upper falls are easily accessed from the viewpoint parking lot, but for the best view, hike just 1.3 km down through a lodgepole pine forest to the lower falls. You’ll see three different waterfalls spread over the Sunwapta River.
Length: 3.2 km
Alberta has thousands of kilometers of hiking trails, and there is a hike for every type of hiker! From easy to pro, there’s a hike to get you to your happy place whether that may be mountains, grasslands, badlands and forests.