Health, diet, fitness, life

Hiking is one of the best and most fun ways to stay fit during the summer in Alberta. We are so lucky to be close to the mountains and to have so much natural beauty in our back yard. Below is a list of 6 hikes that we recommend you try this summer! We included a range of hikes from short and easy, to long and steep. So there’s something for everyone!

Make sure to bring lots of snacks with you to fuel your journey! We love snacking on Fit Kitchen’s Energy Balls, Collagen Protein Brownies or Protein Donuts on a hike. They’re delicious, light and easy to pack! Don’t forget to add some LMNT electrolytes to your water bottle too to stay hydrated on hot days.

Please note that all of these hikes are located in the Kananaskis area and require a Kananaskis Conservation Pass be registered to your vehicle if you will be parking at the trailhead. You can buy a daily or annual pass at this link: Buy Kananaskis Conservation Pass

Short and Easy Hikes

Troll Falls

Distance from Calgary: 99 km (1 hour 10 mins)

Length of Hike: 4.7 km (1.5-2 hours roundtrip)

Elevation Gain: 60 m

Sights to See: 3 different waterfalls

Good for Kids? Yes

Link to Detailed Trail Info: AllTrails Troll Falls

Troll Falls is a popular, easy hike for beginners and experts alike. It’s great for kids since there is minimal elevation gain and three waterfalls to keep things exciting. The trailhead is located close to the Kananaskis Village so it is one of the closest mountain hikes you can get to from Calgary. There are signs that clearly mark the trails so once you get to the first waterfall you can follow the signs to the upper falls. This is a popular hike among families so if you’re looking to avoid the crowds and find a parking spot, go early in the morning.

Ptarmigan Cirque

Distance from Calgary: 142 km (1 hour 45 mins)

Length of Hike: 3.4 km (1-1.5 hours roundtrip)

Elevation: 195 m

Sights to See: Meadow, wildflowers, waterfall, larches in the fall

Good for Kids? Yes

Link to Detailed Trail Info: AllTrails Ptarmigan Cirque

Ptarmigan Cirque is another popular trail, and for good reason. It is a slightly steeper hike than Troll Falls but it can still be a good hike for most beginners. You get some beautiful views for a relatively small amount of work and you can even go past the end of the trail to see a waterfall! As for other busy hikes, it can be a good idea to get there early to avoid the crowds. This hike is in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park which is a bit deeper into Kananaskis than Troll Falls. However, the drive is absolutely stunning and you’ll hardly notice the time it takes to get there.

Longer Moderate Hikes

Rawson Lake

Distance from Calgary: 137 km (1 hour 45 mins)

Length of Hike: 7.8 km (2.5-3 hours roundtrip)

Elevation: 320 m

Sights to See: 2 Lakes

Good for Kids? Yes, if kids are older/more experienced hikers

Link to Detailed Trail Info: AllTrails Rawson Lake

This hiking trail stretches around Upper Kananaskis Lake (pictured above), up through a dense forest and opens up onto Rawson Lake. Bringing a picnic to enjoy at the top is highly recommended and gives you a moment to stop and enjoy the beauty of Rawson Lake. If you’re looking for a bigger challenge, you can also continue up to Sarrail Ridge once you get to the lake. However, this portion is much steeper and adds an extra 600 m of elevation to your hike.

Please note that at the time of writing there had been recent grizzly bear sightings in the area. There will be signs at the trailhead if there is a bear in the area or if the trail is closed. It is advised to choose a different hike if this is the case.

Raspberry Ridge

Distance from Calgary: 123 km (1 hour 45 mins)

Length of Hike: 9.2 km (3.5-4.5 hours roundtrip)

Elevation: 633 m

Sights to See: Mountains, meadows, wildflowers

Good for Kids? No

Link to Detailed Trail Info: 10 Adventures Raspberry Ridge

Raspberry Ridge is a bit of a hidden gem because it’s outside of the Kananaskis village and Canmore area. The trail is located near Longview and gives stunning views of where the mountains meet the prairies. You can add 1 km in each direction to take a slightly easier path with better views. Check out the link above for a more detailed description of this route. This is the most difficult and steepest hike out of those discussed so far so make sure to bring lots of water and snacks to stay fueled.

Hard Hikes to Replace Leg Day  

Lillian and Galatea Lakes

Distance from Calgary: 110 km (1 hour 22 mins)

Length of Hike: 16.7 km (5-7 hours roundtrip)

Elevation: 740 m

Sights to See: 3 different lakes

Good for Kids? Yes/No – see below

Link to Detailed Trail Info: 10 Adventures Galatea Lakes

Galatea Lakes quickly becomes a favorite hike for those that try it. Less adventurous hikers and those with kids can stop at the first lake, Lillian lake, and turn around. However, trekking on to lower and upper Galatea lakes (pictured above) is a rewarding grind that leads you to two of the most stunning mountain lakes the Rockies has to offer. If you’re hiking on a hot day bring a swim suit so you can go for a swim in the crystal clear water of Galatea lakes. But beware that the water is glacier fed so it is freezing cold even in August. Hiking to Lillian and Galatea lakes is a day-long excursion so make sure to leave early enough to get all the way to the upper lake and back down again.

Wind Ridge

Distance from Calgary: 100 km (1 hour 10 mins)

Length of Hike: 13.9 km (5-6.5 hours)

Elevation: 775 m

Sights to See: Mountains, meadows, wildflowers, view of Canmore

Good for Kids? No

Link to Detailed Trail Info: 10 Adventures Wind Ridge

Not to be confused with West Wind Pass, Wind Ridge is a slightly lesser known hike near Canmore, so closer than some of the other hikes on this list. Although this hike gets quite steep in sections, the payoff is well worth the climb. The ridge boasts stunning views of the Bow Valley Corridor, the town of Canmore and the Three Sisters mountains. Taking hiking poles is recommended since the last steep section can be a bit slippery.