Kananaskis Hikes: Don’t Miss Family-Friendly Troll Falls

The hike to Troll Falls is a standout as a year-round family-friendly hike. It’s only 3.4 kilometres round-trip and it climbs just 60 metres to end at the falls. It’s especially lovely in winter when the waterfalls turn to ice.

You can do the Troll Falls hike on foot, snowshoes or even by fat tire bike which you can rent from Kananaskis Outfitters. You could also do the short spur to the falls either before of after skiing to Skogan Pass – a cross-country ski outing I highly recommend.

The hike to Troll Falls is easily accessible from Calgary via a dramatic drive on Highway 40 off of the Trans-Canada Highway.

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Route description for Troll Falls

The trip into see Troll Falls is a perennial favourite. Despite the short distance there’s quite a lot of variety in the terrain – and the trail is easy to find even with the web of trails in the area.

Start the hike in dense evergreen forest. Once you’ve dispatched with that you’ll reach a nice wide open area of aspens. From there follow the directions that takes you along a narrower trail that hugs the left bank of Marmot Creek. You can’t miss the sight of the debris left over from the 2013 floods.

You’re practically on top of the falls when you you reach them. Icers might come in handy if you want to explore around the falls. Otherwise exercise caution as it is very slippery. I recommend going behind the falls at the bottom for the beautiful otherworldly view through the ice.

Shop: These are the icers I like the best – and have been using for years. They never fall off.

It will take fast hikers about an hour to do the hike. Families with young kids might need a couple of hours especially if you want to play at the falls.

Retrace your steps to return to the Stoney Trail parking lot. The hike to Troll Falls can be done in any season but I personally think it’s best in winter.

Finding the Troll Falls trailhead

Take Highway 40 South to the Kananaskis Village turnoff also called Mt. Allan Drive. Follow the road for past the first junction and then turn right into the Stoney Trail parking lot. If you’ve reached Nakiska Ski Resort you’ve gone way too far.

For an up to date trail report check out the Kananaskis Parks link here.

Where to stay near Troll Falls

There are a couple of places to stay nearby. The Kananaskis Wilderness Hostel is a great choice if you’re looking for something affordable. But if you want to splurge – and perhaps visit the Kananaskis Spa as well, choose Kananaskis Mountain Lodge.

In the summer you can stay in tipis and trappers tents at nearby Sundance Lodges.

Other winter hikes in Alberta you might enjoy

• Hiking the Spray River Loop Trail, Banff National Park
• A Winter Hike in the Canadian Badlands of Alberta
• Tunnel Mountain: Banff’s Must-Do Hike
• Prairie Mountain: A Year Round Day Hike from Calgary

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