Kananaskis Country in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains is less crowded but offers more of an escape into wilderness than nearby Banff National Park.
Within a short and scenic drive from Calgary, Alberta, you’ll find wondrous hiking opportunities and gorgeous Rocky Mountain scenery.
Nestled in the Canadian Rockies, the historic mountain town of Canmore is a favorite destination for anyone looking to escape into the beauty of Mother Nature. Considering it’s 20 minutes from Banff National Park, Canmore is the perfect homebase for endless year-round outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and skiing. While it’s easily one of the …
The one beautiful thing about Rawson Lake via Upper Kananaskis Lake Trail is that you get to visit two lakes with Rocky Mountain views, a frozen waterfall, and hike through a gorgeous pine forest. Okay, that’s more than one beautiful thing. And that’s what makes Rawson Lake and Upper Kananaskis Trail the perfect winter hike …
Hiking Chester Lake in Kananaskis is a wonderful experience, especially during larch season. But snowshoeing Chester Lake upon newly fallen snow is magical. Snow covered evergreens create a fairytale backdrop in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta’s Kananaskis Country. It’s already several years (okay, decades) since I stepped into snowshoes, so Chester Lake in November felt …
The town of Canmore is home to the stunning beauty of the Canadian Rockies and the turquoise waters of the Bow River. One of the best things to do in Canmore is hike the Bow River Trail. Last summer I took a day trip to Canmore from Calgary and hiked along the Bow all afternoon. …
Every year millions of people visit the Canadian Rockies. While Banff National Park is the most visited national park in Canada you do have other options for hiking in the Rockies. There are plenty of places with less crowded hiking trails, which are great picks when driving from Calgary for a day trip. Whether you’re …
Elbow Falls Trail is always a good road trip stop if you’re near Bragg Creek Alberta in Kananaskis Country. In the springtime and after heavy rains the water is flowing faster and creating bigger waterfalls on the Elbow River. While the picnic tables washed away in the flood of 2013 it’s still a pretty place …
Troll Falls is an easy Kananaskis hike for all types of hikers and it’s a great all-season hike near Calgary. I saw a lot of families with their kids on the Troll Falls trail in the summer as well as in winter. You can go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing when enough snow is present in …
Grotto Canyon trail in Kananaskis Country, near Canmore Alberta, is unique in several ways including the pictographs on the canyon wall. I might have missed the rock paintings but another hiker pointed out the general location earlier along the hike. The trailhead to Grotto Canyon hike is on the left side of the parking lot. …
Grassi Lakes is a beautiful Kananaskis hike with views of Canmore, a gorgeous waterfall, and two stunning aquamarine glacial lakes. There are two trails leading to the lakes. One is steeper and more difficult while the other trail is on a gravel road with gradual incline but lacking the views. If you are new to …
Fullerton Loop trail near Bragg Creek in Kananaskis Country is an easy day hike if you are driving from Calgary. What I love about this trail: Beautiful Elbow River views The elevation gain gives me a decent workout There’s plenty of parking at the trailhead Fullerton Loop Trail Kananaskis Looking for good solo hikes near …
Ptarmigan Cirque hike is one of the most scenic of the Kananaskis hiking trails. It’s an easy drive from Calgary, Canmore, or Banff. There are beautiful mountain views along Hwy 40 (aka Kananaskis Trail or Bighorn Hwy) to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. Kananaskis Country is home to some of the best hikes in Alberta. Every …