Kananaskis Hikes: Don’t Miss Family-Friendly Troll Falls
The majority of Kananaskis hikes are easily accessible from Calgary via a dramatic drive on Highway 40 off of the Trans-Canada Highway. 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 it 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 falls are popular with ice-climbers
Kananaskis Hikes – The Route into 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.
It will take fast hikers about an hour to do the hike. Families with young kids might need a couple 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.
The hike starts off through dense ramrod straight trees
The trail is dog-friendly but keep your dog on a leash
There’s more drama in the winter
The view from behind the icefall
I think it’s prettier at the falls in the winter
Explore more of the trails in the area but never walk on the ski trails
Fun in the snow for Rosie
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.
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Other winter hikes in Alberta you might enjoy:
- 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
