Fall hiking is one of my favourite times of year. The weather is not too hot, there are fewer bugs, and the colours are stunning. If you live anywhere near Kananaskis, such as Calgary, Airdrie, Okotoks, Cochrane, Bragg Creek or Diamond Valley, then you need to get out to the mountains at least once this autumn!
Kananaskis is usually my preferred hiking area because it’s so close to Calgary that I can easily make the trip. Here are some of my favourite Kananaskis hikes (and one that’s highly recommended by my friends but still on my personal bucket list). I’ve listed them in order of difficulty, with the most accessible, family-friendly option first.
Easy Fall Hikes in Kananaskis
Mount Lorette Ponds in Bow Valley Provincial Park
These stunning, clear blue ponds are a popular picnic destination for families in the Bow Valley area along Highway 40. As well, Mount Lorette Ponds has a 1 km trail network that is fully paved, making the site accessible for individuals with wheelchairs, other mobility aids, and strollers.
In the fall, Mount Lorette Ponds is frames with beautiful yellow and orange leaves, making it a perfect destination for families with young children or individuals who want to take in the fall colours without a strenuous hike. Fishing is also permitted in the ponds, which are stocked 3 times a year.
Ptarmigan Cirque in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
A popular interpretive trail, Ptarmigan Cirque is an excellent fall and larch hike option for beginners and families. The trail is 4.5 km loop, bringing you to the spectacular mountain cirque between Mount Rae and Mount Arethusa.
Expect the trail to take around 1-2 hours. You’ll gain 210 metres of elevation throughout the trail, with a few steeper sections. Take your time, wear proper footwear, and bring water and snacks.
Parking is at the Highwood Meadows Day Use lot across the highway and is shared with Pocaterra Ridge and Cirque hikes, which are also popular in the fall. I recommend coming early or trying to hike on a weekday during larch season.
Moderate Fall Hikes in Kananaskis
Rummel Lake in Spray Valley Provincial Park
I hiked Rummel Lake for the first time this year, and it was a lovely trail. It is scenic, with views of the Spray Lakes and a distant Tent Ridge, has deep forested sections, and a glassy alpine lake at the end. There are many larch trees around the lake that were just starting to turn yellow on the day of my hike, not yet in their full yellow glory.
Rummel Lake is approximately 11 km with 442 metres of elevation gained gradually along the trail. It takes around 3-4 hours on average. There is no parking lot, so you will need to park on the side of the Smith-Dorrien highway for this hike. Get here before 10 am to avoid the crowds, perhaps earlier on larch season weekends. This is definitely a pet-friendly trail and we saw many dogs (and brought our own). But please remember to keep your dogs on leash at all times in the park. It’s the law and important to protect wildlife.
Arethusa Cirque in Peter Lougheed
Another less popular larch trail (comparatively) is the moderate Arethusa Cirque trail. This is a 4.5 km loop with 378 km of elevation, making it shorter but steeper than Rummel Lake. Expect the trail to take around 2-3 hours, especially if you are soaking in the views.
Arethusa Cirque is located on the opposite side of Mount Arethusa from Ptarmigan Cirque. There is a parking area, but it is an unsigned gravel road just off Highway 40 a short distance south of the Highwood Meadows lot. It will be on the left-hand side if you’re driving south.
Difficult Fall Hikes in Kananaskis
Burstall Pass in Peter Lougheed
My primary larch hike last season was Burstall Pass in Peter Lougheed. This is a 16.3 km out-and-back trail that brings you to the Kananaskis border with Banff National Park. Moderately difficult, this hike has significant distance (that you certainly feel on the way back). The trail is flat for the first 4 km, before beginning to gain some of the 654 metres of elevation included in the hike.
Burstall Pass is a fantastic option for larch sightings. It can get busy, and with the earlier sunset it is a good idea to start the hike as early as you can. Parking can be found at the signed lot directly across the highway from the Chester Lake parking lot.
Tent Ridge in Spray Valley Provincial Park
As the most technical route on the list, Tent Ridge should only be attempted by experienced hikers. There is some scrabbling required along the trail, so proper hiking footwear and trail knowledge are vital.
The trail around the Tent Ridge horseshoe is 10.5 km long with 842 metres of elevation gain. Travel in a clockwise direction around the loop and give yourself plenty of time to get down and drive home before nightfall.
Expect the hike to take around 4-6 hours. You’ll get incredible views of the ridge, the Spray Lakes Reservoir, and Mount Nestor, as well of larch tree of course! Parking is located along Mount Shark Road, off the Smith-Dorrien highway.
Remember to purchase your park pass before heading out to the mountains.
Kananaskis Conservation Pass can be found on the Government of Alberta Website.
For those new to hiking, check out these posts for information to keep you safe on the trail:
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