6 Stunning Spring Hikes to Try Near Calgary

As the weather gets warmer, Canadians start itching to get outside, myself included. While spring hikes can be a little hit-or-miss in terms of weather and trail conditions, shoulder season can be a great time to get back into the mountains. To inspire your next adventure, I’ve compiled a list of easy to moderate hikes that you can do between April to June while waiting for summer to begin.

Important Tips for Spring Hikes:

• Weather can change rapidly. Be prepared for rain or snow while on the trail. Bring layers and consider microspikes, just in case there is still ice on the trail.
• Be prepared to adjust or alter your plans. Some hikes may not be safe due to obstacles such as snow and ice. Always keep safety in mind.
• Check trail reports before you go. Look for any recent wildlife sightings or avalanche warnings in or around the areas you want to hike. Alberta Parks is a great resource for this information.
• Bring bear spray. Although there is always potential to run across bears or other wildlife no matter what time of year, the spring can put hikers in the paths of bears just out of hibernation. Follow regular leave-no-trace principles and bring bear spray to help prevent incidents.

Fullerton Loop

The Fullerton Loop hiking trail is found just off Highway 66. It is 12 minutes from Bragg Creek, AB, or 40 minutes from Calgary. This easy loop in the foothills features moderate elevation, views of Elbow Valley, and the Rocky Mountains along the western horizon.

This loops is 6.8 km with 213 metres of elevation. It takes about 1.5-2 hours to hike the trail at a leisurely pace. The trail can be done any time of year, but keep an eye out for mountain bikers and cross-country skiers on the multi-use trails that intersect with the beginning of the trail.

Prairie Mountain

Prairie Mountain is also off Highway 66, about 50 minutes from Calgary. It is an 8.4 km hike with 675 metres of elevation. This hike is moderate and takes around 4-5 hours to complete.

Although I completed this hike in August of 2018, we still got caught in the snow. Take this as a reminder that it can snow in any season in the mountains, so always be prepared. If you are looking for a somewhat strenuous spring hike, this would be a great option.

Paddy’s Flat

Paddy’s Flat offers a few trail options including a short interpretive trail of 2.2 km and a longer loop of 6.4 km with 176 metres of elevation gain. These easy hikes are only 50 minutes from Calgary, making an easy half-day trip on a nice spring weekend. Also located in Elbow Valley, Paddy’s Flat is also a campground that can be booked during the summer months.

We hiked Paddy’s Flat in late June and found the wildflowers in full bloom. You could hike the area earlier in the year as it is accessible, though the vegetation will not be as lovely.

Prairie View Trail

Prairie View Trail gives hikers an amazing view over Barrier Lake. It sits at the edge of the Rocky Mountains and the Prairies, with a vantage point over the foothills and prairie to the east and the mountains to the west. This beautiful hike starts at Barrier Dam Day Use off Highway 40. It is 1 hour from Calgary.

The total distance for this hike is 6.6 km with 421 metres of elevation. It will take around 3-4 hours to complete the trail. Keep in mind that this trail is quite popular and the parking lot may fill up on a nice day, even in the spring.

Evan-Thomas Creek Loop

Evan-Thomas Creek Loop is a moderate hike in Kananaskis Country with a distance of 11.1 km and 506 metres of elevation gain. The loop takes approximately 3-4.5 hours and is about 1 hour and 10 minutes from Calgary.

I hiked this trail at the end of April a few years ago. The trail itself was muddy, with some left over snow. However, we were not able to complete the full loop as the creek crossing at the halfway point was not safe due to snow conditions. It is still a very nice area in Kananaskis though!

Rawson Lake

The final hike in this list is a little further away. Starting from the Upper Kananaskis Lake Parking lot, the Rawson Lake hike is a 7.8 km hike with 320 metres of elevation. This hike is 1 hour and 45 minutes from Calgary. Because of its moderate elevation, Rawson Lake is a great choice for a spring hike.

I did this hike first in fall 2016, but the picture is from this winter. In the summer you can continue to Sarrail Ridge, but I would not recommend this steep hike in the shoulder season and it’s inaccessible in the winter.