Grassi Lakes is a well-loved trail known for having great views for a hike with only 166 metres of elevation gain. The trailhead is just passed the Canmore Nordic Centre on Highway 742. This is a popular hike due to its proximity to Canmore (and Calgary, about an hour from the city centre). It is a busy hike, so make sure to head out early and hike on a weekday if possible.
We hiked on a Saturday and arrived at the hike around 10. The hike to Grassi Lakes is a 3.5 km loop to the lake and back. There is a parking lot at the trailhead with pit toilets and an overflow parking lot just off the highway before the turnoff for the trailhead. Both are well-signed.
There is fork in the trail shortly after the trailhead, with an interpretive trail to the left and the upper trail to the right. The interpretive trail is about a metre wide and flat up until the climb near the waterfall. The upper trail is a wider path with a more gradual and continuous incline. We took the path to the right and made it to the lake in a short hike. The lakes are a stunning shade of blue and green.
After admiring the view of the lakes we began the descent. We took the interpretive trail down which was a little steep in sections. There is some running water on the trail that makes it slick in spots so watch your step. There are some great views along the path. Although many reviews on All Trails that recommend taking the interpretive trail up and the Upper Lakes trail down, doing the reverse allows you to appreciate the views on the way down the interpretive trail whil you face the valley.
There are some viewpoints of the waterfalls along the way, with Ha Ling Peak in the background. Once we made it down the steep section, it was a quick, flat path to the parking lot. The entire hike took us less than 2 hours. It is a great, easy hike in the Rockies with a fantastic view.
