Shoulder season refers to the time in the spring or fall seasons when the weather has not stabilized between winter and summer and outdoor activities fall somewhere in the middle. For example, there is not enough snow on the mountains to ski, but it’s too cold to go for a paddle. Many hikes, however, offer a great way to get outside during this in between stage.
These are some of my favourite hikes that are doable during the shoulder season. Generally, these hikes have less elevation and easier terrain than summer hikes, but are pleasant even without snow cover. I’ve included hikes from the Bow Valley, Kananaskis, and nearby parks.
Note that many roads in Kananaskis close from December 1 until April 30-May 14, with the exception of Highwood Pass on Highway 40 which reopens June 20. If you’re planning hikes after December 1, please refer to my winter hike guides.
I also recommend that you bring hiking poles and mircospikes while hiking in shoulder season. Trails may be icy or muddy, and the conditions in the mountains are often different from the weather in the cities. Microspikes are incredibly helpful for staying surefooted on ice and snow, and I consider them a must-have if you plan to hike through the winter as well. You can rent them from the University of Calgary’s Outdoor Centre if you only need them occasionally.
Easy Hikes
Hikes under 7 km with less than 250 metres of elevation gain.
Banded Peak via Alder Trail
Banded Peak via Alder Trail is an easy hike in Bragg Creek Provincial Park. This trail is 3.7 km round trip, with about 115 metres of elevation and is hiked as an out-and-back trail with the option to complete Alder Trail loop at the end.
This hike takes around 45 minutes to an hour and takes you through foothills landscape and forest very close to the town of Bragg Creek. The trail is dog-friendly and appropriate for families with young children, although bear spray is still recommended due to wildlife the frequent the area.
Grotto Canyon Trail
Grotto Canyon, also called Grotto Creek Canyon trail is a 4.4 km hike with 115 metres of elevation. The hike is in Bow Valley, off Highway 1A (Bow Valley Trail) between Exshaw and Canmore.
Grotto Canyon is known for its pictographs as well as the scenic waterfall at the end of the canyon trail. I recommend bringing microspikes on this hike, even though there is not too much elevation.
Paddys Flat Interpretive Trail and Riverview Trail
Paddys Flat is a campground area with a few trails in the area, off Highway 66. The campground is closed after summer, but you can still hike around the interpretive trail area. The interpretive trail is 2.2 km round trip. If you’re looking for a longer excursion, I recommend following the Riverview trail which continues west for the interpretive trail for a 6.4 km hike (out-and-back) with 176 metres of elevation gain.
Heart Creek Bunker
Heart Creek is found off Highway 1 near Lac des Arcs. It includes a few hiking options. The shorter Heart Creek Interpretive trail is 2.6 km out-and-back trail that crosses over 7 bridges and leads to a hidden waterfall.
The slightly longer Heart Creek Bunker trail is 4 km round trip, with 223 metres of elevation gain and arrives at a cold war-era bunker. You can enter and explore the bunker, but make sure to bring a bright flashlight as it gets dark quickly and the tunnel is quite deep.
Fullerton Loop
Fullerton Loop is a pleasant, easy trail just 12 minutes past Bragg Creek on Highway 66. It is a popular spot for hikers looking for a short loop and the area is also used by mountain bikers (though not on Fullerton Loop specifically).
Fullerton Loop is 6.8 km round trip with 213 metres of elevation gain. It can be hiked in either direction, but I recommend counter-clockwise, because the elevation gain is more gradual in this direction.
Moderate Hikes
Moderate hikes are under 18 km with less than 700 metres of elevation gain.
Vents Ridge (White Buddha)
Vents Ridge is a 6 km loop with 330 metres of elevation gain. It is found off Highway 66, just after the Elbow Falls parking lot. Vents Ridge follows Powderface Creek trail for about 20 minutes, before climbing Vents Ridge.
From the top of the ridge, you climb down White Buddha Alternate Trail until you reach Prairie Creek Trail. Prairie Creek trail will lead you back to the parking lot area. Bring spikes in case there is snow and ice on the trail.
Chester Lake
Chester Lake is a popular, year round hike and its not hard to see why. This is a 9.3 km hike with 300 metres of elevation gain that treks through a forest and meadow before arriving at a stunning lake. In the fall, you may be able to catch larch trees in the golden glory, and in the winter or spring you can visit the frozen lake.
Edworthy Falls via Elbow Lake
Edworthy Falls is somewhat lesser known continuation past Elbow Lake, a more popular spot and backcountry campground in Peter Lougheed Kananaskis. The hike is a 9.7 km out-and-back trail with 383 metres of elevation gain.
The trail passes Elbow Lake (a viewpoint in its own right) and continues on to a lovely waterfall with a stunning blue swimming hole below (although I don’t recommend swimming at all during shoulder season!). Elbow Lake is off the Highwood Pass section of Highway 40, meaning it is closed from December to June, so hike this one before the end of November!
Nihahi Creek Trail
Nihahi Creek trail is a favourite of mine. It is 15 kilometres round trip, but most of the distance occurs on flat ground, making it go by quickly. The route follows Little Elbow Trail from the Little Elbow Campground (park in the Day Use lot), until the Nihahi Creek turn off.
The total elevation gain for Nihahi Creek is 463 metres. This is a moderate level hike and is accessible until the winter gates close on December 1.
Burstall Pass
Burstall Pass is a 16.3 km trail with 654 metres of elevation, and the most difficult trail on this list. It is absolutely manageable though, especially with spikes and poles in the winter.
Burstall Pass has two long flat sections. The first section is 4.5 km of mostly flat terrain. Bring a map or download a GPS version, because there are many trails, especially at the very beginning and it is easy to get lost. There are two uphill sections, the first is 1 km long with 150 metres of elevation gain and the other is about 1.5 km with 230 metres of elevation gain. The rest of the elevation is gain more gradually.