With warm weather finally settling in around Calgary, it’s the perfect time to lace up your boots and check out some summer hikes, and luckily, some of the best trails are just a short drive from Calgary.
From easy strolls to challenging mountain climbs, we’ve rounded up eight amazing hikes near Calgary to conquer this summer if you’re looking to head out hiking.
If you’re looking for a quick hike to go on this summer, the Grassi Lakes Trail is a popular, picturesque hike right near Canmore. You can choose between two trails, an easy or a wooded interpretive trail, both of which offer stunning views in the Bow Valley
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Spray Lakes Road, around two kilometres past the Canmore Nordic Center
Length: Four kilometres
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Troll Falls is one of the most family-friendly trails in Kananaskis, and it’s a great place to spend a summer day. The trail winds you through trees before arriving at an absolutely breathtaking waterfall. It’s a short and easy hike, perfect for anyone looking for a nice nature outing.
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Troll Falls Trailhead day-use area or Ribbon Creek day-use area
Length: 1.2 kilometres
Ptarmigan Cirque is a popular hike located in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. It features a steady climb with an elevation gain of 214 metres, but the effort is well worth it once you reach the top and are surrounded by sweeping alpine views
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Highwood Meadows day-use area at Highwood Pass
Length: 3.4 kilometres
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Rawson Lake is a scenic summer hike located in Kananaskis Country. The trail begins with a climb through a forested area before opening up to a stunning lake surrounded by mountain peaks. In the summer, the turquoise water and lush greenery make it a super rewarding destination
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: West of the Upper Kananaskis Lake parking lot
Length: 6.8 kilometres
The Fullerton Loop Trail is located just under an hour from Calgary and offers a moderate hike with plenty of scenery. You’ll wind through forests, creeks, and hills on this stunning hike. During the summer, the trail comes alive with greenery and stunning mountain views, making it an ideal escape for a sunny day adventure.
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Allen Bill day-use area or Fullerton Trailhead day-use area
Length: 6.8 kilometres
If you’re on the hunt for some of the best views of Canmore this summer, Ha Ling Peak is the place to be. It’s a little bit of a workout, with an elevation gain of 810 metres, but at the top you’ll find sweeping views of the Bow Valley, the mountains, and the town of Canmore below.
Difficulty: Hard
Location: Goat Creek day-use area
Length: 3.9 kilometres
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The Prairie View Trail in Kananaskis Country will take you up an old forestry road until you get to a viewpoint with amazing views of Barrier Lake. You can continue along the trail to find the Barrier Lake Fire Lookout, which offers 360-degree views of the Bow Valley.
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Barrier Dam day-use area
Length: 6.6 kilometres to the lookout
While the Grotto Canyon hike is especially amazing in the winter, it transforms in the summer to an easy, scenic walk through a narrow canyon framed by towering rock walls. The creek bed will lead you past the unique formations and seasonal waterfalls, with opportunities to spot Indigenous pictographs along the cliffs.
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Grotto Mountain Day Use
Length: 4.2 km
