6 Hikes Near Calgary That Everyone Will Love

People admiring a hike in Banff
People admiring a hike in Banff
The Great Outdoors

6 Hikes Near Calgary That Everyone Will Love

Explore the great outdoors with hikes everyone can enjoy a short drive from Calgary
By
Leigh McAdam
December 27th, 2017
Leigh McAdam is an enthusiastic outdoor adventurer and curious traveler with a passion for photography. She blogs at HikeBikeTravel.com and is the author of Discover Canada: 100 Inspiring Outdoor Adventures Follow her on Instagram @hikebiketravel, Facebook and Twitter @hikebiketravel.

Visiting Calgary but looking for a little time outside the city? These six hiking adventures offer a sampling of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains and Badlands landscape.

EASY HIKES

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.
Horseshoe Canyon

Horseshoe Canyon in the Canadian Badlands

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.
Johnston Canyon

Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park

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, enjoy it as an icefall but be prepared to share the trail with snowshoes and cross-country skiers.
 
Troll Falls

Troll Falls in Kananaskis Country

Troll Falls

Troll Falls in Kananaskis Country

MODERATE to DIFFICULT HIKES

Prairie Mountain, Kananaskis Country

No matter what the season, the popular 7.6 kilometer 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.

Prairie Mountain

Prairie Mountain in Kananaskis Country

Prairie Mountain in Kananaskis Country

 

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.
 

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.
 
 
Chester Lake

Chester Lake in Kananaskis Country

Ink Pots

Ink Pots in Banff National Park

More stories from Calgary
aurora borealis
Adventures in the Great Outdoors

12 National Parks & Historic Sites near Calgary

Experience incredible National Parks and National Historic Sites with a day trip from Calgary.
Watching the sunrise over lake louise
Adventure with an Expert

8 Expert Adventurer Tips For Exploring the Rockies

Capture the beauty of the Canadian Rockies with tips and tricks from expert adventuer Erik McRitchie.