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Compiled by the Road Trip Alberta team
Updated on January 10, 2025
With the Canadian Rockies lining much of the western edge of Alberta, it is no wonder that hiking is such a popular activity. And while many will rush to trek in Banff and Jasper, the following hikes in Kananaskis should not be overlooked.
Before You Go
Albertans have been spending a lot more time enjoying the great outdoors, so it must be noted that these trails are all heavily trafficked. Try to go mid-week, early in the morning, or late in the day in order to avoid crowds. A couple of other points worth noting:
- You can take your dog on all of the hikes listed below, but they must be on a leash.
- There are bear warnings on each hike, and during the summer, some hikes close often if there is bear activity in the area. It’s best to check online info for current status.
- It is very important to stay on the trails and leave no litter behind. This keeps the wilderness pristine and also keeps you and your fellow hikers safe from wildlife.
- Visitors to Kananaskis now require a Kananaskis Conservation Pass. The pass is $15 per day or $90 per year + GST per vehicle while visiting Kananaskis and the Bow Valley corridor. Details about the pass are available here, and you can buy your pass here.
Easy Hikes in Kananaskis
Sometimes we just want a leisurely hike, and these Kananaskis hiking trails are perfect for that! If you’re looking for a day trip (especially for the quick drive from Calgary to Kananaskis) that doesn’t require much equipment (or sweat), the following have you covered.
Ptarmigan Cirque
Ptarmigan Cirque is rated one of the best hikes in Kananaskis (and tops our list of Alberta hikes as well), and it’s easy to see why – it’s often noted as one of the quickest hikes to get the best reward. This kid-friendly loop has it all: fantastic views, wildlife spotting, and even a waterfall. Once you make it past the incline at the beginning of the loop, the prize is an alpine meadow and 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains.
The loop does get quite busy in peak season, so arrive early and be prepared to share the trail. It’s also known for birdwatching, so bring along your binoculars.
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Hiking Time: Approximately 2.5 hours
- Elevation Gain: 210m
- Distance: 4.2 km
- Seasonality: Best hiked from June until November (snowshoes required if there is snow)
Check here for the current status of Ptarmigan Cirque.
Grassi Lakes Trail
One of the most popular Canmore hikes, and recently upgraded, the Grassi Lakes Trail is great for beginner hikers. Choose from one of two paths, the Upper Grassi Lake Trail or the Grassi Lakes Interpretive. The easier gravel path of the Upper Grassi Lake Trail will lead you directly to the Grassi Lakes, while the Grassi Lakes Interpretive forest trail will lead you to a steep section with views of both waterfalls and the town of Canmore. You can treat either trail as an out-and-back adventure or combine the two for a loop. Either way, the beautiful turquoise of the lakes surrounded by cliff faces is sure to amaze.
The trails can get quite busy, so it’s best to start early (or wait until the crowds die in the later afternoon). The trail can also get slippery, so bring the necessary crampons if planning to hike outside of the summer season.
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Hiking Time: approximately 2 hours
- Elevation Gain: 203 m
- Distance: 4.3 km
- Seasonality: Year-round
Check here for the current status of Grassi Lakes Trail.
Black Prince Cirque and Blackshale Suspension Bridge
The Black Prince Cirque Interpretive Trail and the Blackshale Suspension Bridge walk are excellent Kananaskis hiking trails, but combine the two for the best bang for your buck! Hike the Black Prince Cirque to view the picturesque Warspite Lake, an ideal spot to take photos of the encircling mountains. The best time to visit, in our opinion? When the summer wildflowers are in full bloom, turning the area into the world’s most beautiful garden.
Once back at the parking lot, cross the highway to the trailhead for the Blackshale Suspension Bridge loop trail, a very easy 1.1 km addition to your day.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Hiking Time: approximately 3 hours
- Elevation Gain: 125 m
- Distance: 6.1 km combined
- Seasonality: The bridge is closed in winter
Check here for the current status of Black Prince Cirque.
Troll Falls Hike
If you’re looking for a quick and easy hike in Kananaskis – still filled with gorgeous views, of course! – consider the Troll Falls hike. This out-and-back trail is superb for kids and leashed dogs, with stunning backdrops of forests, rivers, waterfalls, and more. The falls themselves make for incredible photos, so plan for plenty of time to snap away. It is one of the most popular hikes for families, so be prepared for the trail to be busy.
While the falls will be frozen in winter, the trail is still accessible if you’re wearing crampons or snowshoes.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Hiking Time: approximately 1.5 hours
- Elevation Gain: 151 m
- Distance: 3.4 km
- Seasonality: Best hiked from March until November
Check here for the current status of Troll Falls Hike.
Moderate Hikes in Kananaskis
These moderate hikes in Kananaskis are just the ticket for those looking to face a bit of a tougher trek. Most should take about half a day, so you can always bring along a packed lunch and make a picnic out of it!
Karst Spring Trail
The Karst Spring Trail starts off slowly, but you’ll soon see what the fuss is about. Once you make it to the lake and beyond, you’ll be dazzled by the springs and the lush forest. It’s almost as if it were sprung straight from a fairy tale! Weave your way along the boardwalks and trails to keep discovering view after view.
The first few kilometres of the trail are out in the open, so make sure you bring sunscreen and a hat to shield yourself from the sun.
Note: The official Karst Spring Trail is only a 1 km path that branches off from the Watridge Lake Trail. After 4 km on the Watridge Lake Trail, you’ll turn left at a junction for the Karst Spring Trail. However, the entire route is often just referred to as the Karst Spring Trail.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Hiking Time: approximately 4 hours
- Elevation Gain: 302 m
- Distance: 9.0 km
- Seasonality: Best hiked from May until November
Check here for the current status of Karst Spring Trail.
Ha Ling Peak
Chances are you noticed Ha Ling Peak from the town of Canmore. Zig-zagging your way to the peak on the Ha Ling Trail proves to be difficult, but a recent renovation of the trail provided new railings and stairs to help in the trickier parts. Besides, the views make it all worthwhile! Nothing beats the sight of the vast Kananaskis region sprawling out before you.
Crampons are absolutely necessary for winter, and trekking poles are recommended year-round on the uneven trail. The trail is also known for being quite windy, so dress appropriately!
- Difficulty: Moderate to hard
- Hiking Time: approximately 4 to 5 hours
- Elevation Gain: 810 m
- Distance: 7.4 km
- Seasonality: Best hiked in summer and fall
Check here for the current status of Ha Ling Trail.
Barrier Lake Trail
Not as busy as some of the other hikes in Kananaskis, the Barrier Lake Trail is a moderate hike that is favoured by wildlife enthusiasts and runners. Be careful not to mix this up with the Yates Mountain via Prairie View Trail with its infamous overlook, a popular mistake online! On the Barrier Lake Trail you’ll encounter more of a forest walk, so keep your eyes peeled for the variety of plants and wildflowers along the way.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Hiking Time: approximately 3.5 hours
- Elevation Gain: 233 m
- Distance: 7.7 km
- Seasonality: Best hiked from March until November
Check here for the current status of Barrier Lake Trail.
Galatea Lakes Hike
This out-and-back trail is one of the most beautiful hikes in Kananaskis. As you trek through Galatea Valley, you’ll crisscross Galatea Creek a number of times, weaving your way through the forest to Lillian Lake and the Galatea Lakes. Marvel at the jade green of the lakes and the towering mountains around you, making this a worthwhile day’s adventure. Best of all? It’s usually not as busy as some of the other Kananaskis hikes, so you may have sections of the trail to yourself.
Add Guinn’s Pass to your hike if you’re feeling especially adventurous! This will up your hike’s total distance to 21 kilometres with a 1,100 elevation gain. And if you don’t feel like doing this all in one day, there’s a campground at Lillian Lake where you can pitch a tent for the night (just make sure to reserve in advance).
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Hiking Time: approximately 6 hours
- Elevation Gain: 870 m
- Distance: 16.9 km
- Seasonality: Best hiked from May until October
Check here for the current status of Galatea Lakes Trail.
Pocaterra Ridge
Pocaterra Ridge is a heavy-trafficked, beautiful hike that rewards its hikers with stunning views. This trail is extremely popular, especially in the autumn, specifically for the golden larches. Because this hike is not a loop, plan to start at either the northern or southern point and have transport on both ends.
The north trailhead can be a bit tricky to find so we recommend starting at the southern trailhead which is at the Highwood Pass parking lot. Be prepared to arrive early; the parking lot can be full by 8 am. It is also recommended to have an offline map available as trail markings can be difficult to find at times.
- Difficulty: Moderate – Hard
- Hiking Time: approximately 6 hours
- Elevation Gain: 764 m
- Distance: 11.4 km
- Seasonality: Summer and fall
Check here for the current status of Pocaterra Trail.
Hard Hikes in Kananaskis
If you’re ready to put in the hard work, there are plenty of hiking trails in Kananaskis to suit your adventurous needs! We strongly recommend trekking poles on these difficult hikes in Kananaskis; not only will they help with loose soil and eroded paths, but they’ll also help alleviate strain on your knees on the descent. Avalanche warnings are in effect on all of these trails in winter, so it’s best to stick to summer and early autumn hikes.
Sarrail Ridge via Rawson Lake Trail
Get ready to sweat on the Rawson Lake Trail to Sarrail Ridge! Getting to Rawson Lake is the easy part. The Sarrail ridge is when you will be breathing heavily. Trekking poles and hiking boots are a must on this adventure, and you should be prepared to scramble and take on very steep climbs. But once you face those hurdles, you’re in for a real treat: one of the best views in Kananaskis.
You can’t get much better than the sweeping vistas of the Rocky Mountains all around you and the Upper Kananaskis Lake below. We recommend using the stunning Rawson Lake as your rest spot along the way, as you’ll be surrounded by forest and wildflower meadows.
- Difficulty: Moderate – Hard
- Hiking Time: approximately 6 hours
- Elevation Gain: 1,066 m
- Distance: 11.3 km
- Seasonality: Best from June until October
**Be aware that the Rawson Lake trail is often closed due to high volumes of grizzly bear activity.
Check here for the current status of Rawson Lake / Sarrail Ridge.
East End of Rundle (EEOR)
Get ready to climb for your view on the gorgeous East End of Rundle, or EEOR (pronounced locally as “Eeyore”). EEOR is a strenuous hike, so prepare for switchbacks, loose rock, and scrambling. If that doesn’t put you off, then you’re all set to take in one of the most stunning hikes in Kananaskis!
One of the best views is of the Ha Ling Peak across the way, with the Whitemans Pond reservoir down below. Heading higher, you also get unbelievable views across Bow Valley. This is one hike you’ll never forget.
- Difficulty: Hard
- Hiking Time: approximately 5 to 6 hours
- Elevation Gain: 877 m
- Distance: 5.6 km
- Seasonality: Best from June until October
Tent Ridge
If you’re ready to take on an adventure, Tent Ridge (often referred to as the Tent Ridge Horseshoe) is definitely one of the best hikes in Kananaskis for you. It’s also a very popular spot for trail runners so keep an eye out for them.
This loop has a majestic forest backdrop and absolutely jaw-dropping 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains. Considered one of the most scenic hikes in the region, you’re guaranteed to want to keep stopping for photos along the way. Trust us, the challenge is well worth it!
- Difficulty: Hard
- Hiking Time: approximately 5 hours
- Elevation Gain: 852 m
- Distance: 10.9 km
- Seasonality: Summer and fall
King Creek Ridge
King Creek Ridge is a super rewarding, leg-burning, 7.1-kilometre out-and-back trail. One thing to note is that the trailhead is not marked and does not start at the King Creek parking area. The trail starts beside the entry to that parking lot, parallel to Highway 40. Be sure to bring hiking poles and crampons are a must when it’s icy.
- Difficulty: Hard
- Hiking Time: approximately 4-5 hours
- Elevation Gain: 741 m
- Distance: 7.1 km
- Seasonality: Year-round
Looking for other incredible hikes in Alberta? Make sure to check out our article on the best hikes in Banff. And if you’re based in Canmore for your hikes in Kananaskis, be sure to check out our guides to the best things to do in Canmore, hotels in Canmore, and 26 of the best Canmore restaurants.
Also, while in Kananaskis, don’t miss out on the chance to alleviate sore muscles at the Kananaskis Nordic Spa – the only one of it’s kind in Alberta!
Dalene Heck is a co-founder of Road Trip Alberta. She was born in Edmonton, grew up in the Peace Country, and has ventured to almost every corner of Alberta and the world (she’s travelled to 60 countries)! She is a serial blogger, the CEO of HMI Marketing, co-creator of the Trip Chaser card game, a leukemia-slayer, and cat whisperer.
