6 Hikes Near Calgary That Everyone Will Love
Explore the great outdoors with hikes everyone can enjoy a short drive from Calgary.
Johnston Canyon (Credit: Travel Alberta/ROAM Creative)
Visiting Calgary but looking for a little time outside the city? Hosting friends and family and ready to explore the great outdoors? These six hiking adventures offer a sampling of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains and Badlands landscape.
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Easy hikes near Calgary
Johnston Canyon, Banff National Park
A favourite year-round hike no matter what your age, Johnston Canyon is especially fun in winter when a thick layer of ice might coat the trail and ice cleats are needed. Hike to two sets of waterfalls via catwalks bolted into the canyon wall, with stops to admire the churning water below.
Distance from Calgary: 2 hours (150 kilometres/93 miles)
Troll Falls, Kananaskis Country
The easy family-friendly hike along the Troll Falls Trail near the Nakiska Ski Resort rewards you with a beautiful waterfall at the end of the hike. In winter, be prepared to share the trail with snowshoes and cross-country skiers.
Distance from Calgary: 1.25 hours (98 kilometres/68 miles)
Horseshoe Canyon, Canadian Badlands
Horseshoe Canyon is just 15 minutes west of Drumheller and dishes out a big dose of badlands scenery, and that’s just from the parking lot. Descend into the canyon through layers of geological history and explore a network of easy and very visible trails.
Distance from Calgary: 1.5 hours (118 kilometres/73 miles)
Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park (Credit: Parks Canada)
Horseshoe Canyon in the Canadian Badlands (Credit: Travel Alberta)
Moderate to difficult hikes near Calgary
Prairie Mountain, Kananaskis Country
No matter what the season, the popular 7.6 kilometre hike that boasts a 726 meter elevation gain to the summit of Prairie Mountain will test your conditioning program but reward you with fantastic prairie and mountain views. Fit hikers can knock it off as a half day trip from Calgary.
Distance from Calgary: 1 hour (67 kilometres/42 miles)
Chester Lake, Kananaskis Country
The 4.5 kilometer hike to the stunning Chester Lake Trail gains a moderate 287 meters and offers great mountain scenery for the physical effort. Energetic hikers can continue into Three Lakes Valley. Come winter bring the snowshoes.
Distance from Calgary: 2.25 hours (147 kilometres/91 miles)
Ink Pots, Banff National Park
Seven crystal-clear, aquamarine pools of spring water are the reward for a 12 kilometre out and back hike from Moose Meadows Trail in Banff National Park – with the option of scoring a visit to Johnston Canyon.
Distance from Calgary: 2 hours (153 milometres/95 miles)
Chester Lake in Kananaskis Country (Credit: Travel Alberta/Paul Zizka @paulzizkaphoto)
