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 winter. When I hiked it in December the trail was icy but not much snow so I wore ice cleats.
The Troll Falls is a beautiful little hike that starts out with views of Kananaskis country, then winds through the forest to the waterfall.
And there is the option to hike to the Upper Waterfalls at Troll Falls.
There are several trails leading to Troll Falls so you can do the hike out and back or do it as a loop. I’ve included Troll Falls in my roundup of waterfall hikes in Alberta.
And yes you will probably see a troll or two among the rocks at the waterfall.
READ now: 5 Easy hikes in Kananaskis – best hiking near Calgary
Hikers enjoy the waterfall at Troll Falls trail – a popular hike near Kananaskis Village
Map of hiking trails around Troll Falls – Kananaskis Country AB
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Troll Falls hiking info
Hike distance (round trip)
3.4 km (2.1 miles) out and back trail (or you can do it as a loop – check the map)
Add 2 km (1.6 miles) round trip if you plan to hike the Upper Waterfalls trail too
Time required
Allow 1 to 2 hours
Elevation gain
40 m (131 ft) to main waterfall
Approx 50 m (164 ft) additional elevation gain to Upper Falls
Difficulty
Easy
Troll Falls freezes up in winter making a lovely ice sculpture
Directions to Troll Falls trailhead
From Calgary the drive takes about 1 hour. Take the Trans-Canada Hwy 1 west to exit 118 for Kananaskis Country.
Turn left onto Hwy 40 S/Kananaskis Trail and continue for about 25 km. Then turn right onto Mt Allen Dr. and continue 1 km to Stoney Day Use parking area.
Troll Falls hike description
I’m a sucker for hikes with waterfalls or panoramic views. Luckily there are plenty of both types of hikes in Alberta.
Troll Falls is an easy walk from the trailhead through a forested area and views of Kananaskis Country with little elevation gain until you get closer to the waterfall.
Hikers start out on the trail at Troll Falls through the forest
Troll Falls and Rocky Mountains landscape in Kananaskis Country Alberta
It’s a pleasant hike but not difficult so if you’re looking for more of a workout I suggest combining this hike with either Grotto Canyon or Grassi Lakes.
In the summer you could also do the Ptarmigan Cirque trail, but it’s not open in winter due to the seasonal closure of Hwy 40.
A grove of Aspen trees at the Troll Falls hiking area in Kananaskis Alberta
Along the way to the waterfall you’ll pass by views of the mountains, a grove of Aspen trees, a footbridge made from trees, and a shelter formed from tree trunks.
Walking across the log bridge at Troll Falls hiking path
Tree shelter at the Troll Falls hiking trail in Kananaskis
Troll Falls Creek in Kananaskis Country Alberta Canada
As you get closer to the waterfall there the terrain becomes more rocky and there is slight elevation gain.
Jagged rocks next to the narrow path of Troll Falls trail
A beautiful waterfall is the reward at Troll Falls trail
Watch for the trolls around the falls.
Shaking hands with the troll near the waterfall at Troll Falls hike
Troll Falls Upper Waterfalls
In 2020 signage to the upper falls was added. The Upper Falls trail now has some wooden stairs at the steeper parts and wooden handrails along portions of the trail.
You’ll see a sign to Upper Waterfalls when you are close to the first main waterfall.
Watch for the sign to the Upper Waterfalls trail
The first waterfall on the upper falls trail is cool because you can walk behind the waterfall. Be careful because it is slippery.
In winter be sure to wear microspikes, ice cleats, or crampons to give traction on the ice.
Hiking the Upper Falls Trails features more frozen waterfalls
You can walk behind one of the waterfalls on the Upper Troll Falls trail
As you keep hiking through the forest there are several staircases and handrails at the steep areas.
Once you reach Upper Troll Falls it’s a pretty place to stop for a while and enjoy a picnic lunch. When I hiked here in early December the upper waterfall was only partially frozen.
Upper falls partially frozen but water still flowing strong
Plan a loop hike or out and back
When you plan your route back to the parking lot from Troll Falls hike you have several options.
If you took Hay Meadow on the way to the falls then consider doing either Troll Falls or Skogan Pass on the way back to make it a a nice loop trial.
Trail map for Troll Falls and various other hikes in the area
You’ll need to pay careful attention to the map because the pathways are not always well marked. Sometimes you may be wondering which path is the correct way.
I like to take a photo of the trail map before I start out so I have a reference during the hike.
Troll Falls hiking trail is used by hikers and horseback riders in Kananaskis
Mountains and meadows along the hiking trail at Troll Falls in Alberta
Best time to hike Troll Falls
Best time to hike this trail is from May through October but throughout winter you can also hike this trail. Always bring the 10 essentials for hiking and bear spray no matter what time of year you do this hike.
Especially in the winter check the weather reports plus bring both clothing and gear for winter conditions with possible ice and snow.
NOTE: You may need ice cleats, microspikes, or crampons in the winter, and hiking poles are also a good idea.
Remember to stay off the ski tracks while hiking or snowshoeing the trail. Stay in the center or at the trail edge and keep the skiing tracks free of footprints.
Signs remind hikers to stay off the ski tracks during winter hikes at Troll Falls
Dogs allowed on trail?
Yes, but dogs must be on leash at all times
Read related posts about hiking and traveling around Alberta
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