Add 3 New Hikes to Your Bucket List Based on Your Level
When looking for a new hike to try, it can sometimes be difficult to find a hike that checks all your boxes. I’ve gathered together three great options for each level and included the important stats such as distance, elevation, and driving time so you can focusing on hiking. I have personally hiked all of these trails and I would consider myself to be a moderate level hiker (for reference).
Easy Hikes
The hikes included in my “Easy” category are under 300 metres of elevation, take less than 3 hours to hike, and are under 10 km.
Hoodoo Trail in Columbia Valley
This 3.2 km route has 120 metres of elevation and brings you up above a set of hoodoos in the Columbia Valley. It takes 40 minutes to an hour. This hike is 30 minutes south of Radium on Highway 93 or 5 minutes from Fairmont and provides incredible views of the Columbia Valley to the south including Columbia Lake. If you are staying in the area this summer this short trail should be on your list. You can read more about it here.
Grotto Canyon in Bow Valley
Grotto Canyon is a relatively well-known hike, and for good reason! It is accessible, only 10 minutes from Canmore or an hour from Calgary. It is also short, only 4.4 km and 115 metres of elevation. It took my group about 1 hour to complete the hike. Most of the trail is through or beside the creekbed. This hike can be done in any season, and is known for the Hopi pictographs still visible on the canyon walls as you approach the waterfall. To read more about this hike click here.
Karst Spring in Spray Valley
This 9.2 km hike through Spray Valley Provincial Park is a hidden gem. It is tucked deep in Kananaskis and begins at the Mount Shark trailhead parking lot off the Smith-Dorrien Highway 742. It has 276 metres of elevation and took us about 2.5 hours round trip. Because of its distance from Calgary (about 2.5 hours from the city), the trail is quieter. I’d say the drive is still worth it as the views are pleasant throughout and you get to see a reflective lake and falls along the way. The hike is closer to Canmore (about 1 hour), and would also make an easy trip if you’re staying in the town or camping in the area as well. If you are interested in learning more click here.
Moderate Hikes
These hikes between 300 and 500 metres of elevation, take less than 5 hours to hike, and are under 14 km.
Edworthy Falls in Peter Lougheed
Edworthy Falls is a 9.7 km hike with 383 metres of elevation. I did this hike in October and we got some snow, but it is also lovely in the spring and summer. Park at Elbow Pass day-use which is about 1.5 hours from Calgary off Highway 40. This hike is steep at the beginning and mostly flat after you pass Elbow Lake. The waterfall at the end has a deep swimming pool that is a stunning shade of turquoise. If you are interested in hiking Edworthy Falls, you can read more here.
Prairie View Trail in Bow Valley
This hike is 6.6 km to the viewpoint (or 13.1 km out-and-back), with an elevation gain of 421 m. Starting at Barrier Lake Trail parking lot, this hike is 1 hour from Calgary off Highway 40. Prairie View Trail has views of Barrier Lake, the surrounding peaks and the prairies to the east. This hike took us about 3.5 hours to complete, but there are longer variations through Jewell Pass to make a loop rather than hiking out-and-back. Read more details about the hike here.
West Wind Pass in Bow Valley Wildland
West Wind Pass is a 4.7 km hike with 356 metres of elevation. I did this hike in March, but it is also a beautiful area to hike in the summer. From the top of the pass you stand between Windtower and Rimwall mountains and look over the Spray Lake Reservoir. This hike is steep, so be prepared for a climb, but the distance is short, so you will make it to the top quickly. We did the hike in just under 2.5 hours over the snow. In the summer, I imagine you could do the hike in around 2 hours. If you want to read more about West Wind Pass, you can find my post here.
Hard
These more difficult hikes are more than 500 metres of elevation gain. They are either more grueling or more technical than the moderate hikes.
Bald Hills in Jasper
Bald Hills is a 15 km loop with 780 metres of elevation gain. The hike overlooks the famous Maligne Lake and gives stunning views of the surrounding mountains. It is just under an hour’s drive from Jasper town. If you are travelling to Jasper, I would consider this a must-do hike. The trail is moderate in terms of difficulty, but is long, so prepare lots of snacks and bring layers to be ready for changes in weather. Read more about Bald Hills here.
Pocaterra Ridge in Peter Lougheed
Pocaterra Ridge is one of my personal favourites. However, the ridgewalk is very long and requires a shuttle (bringing two cars and parking one at each end). The trailhead is about 1.5 hours from Calgary or 1 hour from Canmore. To hike the trail point to point it is 9.8 km with 728 metres of elevation. You can modify this trail as an out-and-back by hiking back down the same side you ascend. The distance in this case will vary depending on how far along the ridge you go before turning back. Regardless of how far you decide to go, once you reach the top of the ridge the 360 degree mountain views are bound to stun you. Read more about my trip to Pocaterra here.
Sentinel Pass in Banff
I’ve done the hike to Sentinel Pass a couple times, in summer and fall. I have to encourage a fall hike to see the golden trees of Larch Valley. This 11.6 km trail from Morraine Lake has 817 metres of elevation. It is a strenous, but beautiful hike passing the Valley of the Ten Peaks, Larch Valley, and Minnestimma Lake. It is now mandatory to make a reservation on the shuttle into Moraine Lake, so take this into consideration with your plans. The park and ride for the shuttle is 2 hours from Calgary or about 40 minutes from Banff. You can read more about this hike here.
Beautiful