The Headwall Lakes hike in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is a wonderful choice if you want a wilder, slightly more challenging hike than nearby Chester Lake. While the trailhead shares the same parking lot as the Chester Lake hike, the two hikes feel completely different. On the Headwall Lakes hike you won't see many people, perhaps 10% of what you'd see on a typical day on the Chester Lake hike. The trail to Headwall Lakes…
The fabulous 3.5 km King Creek Ridge hike off of Highway 40 in Kananaskis Country offers truly exceptional mountain scenery. But it's definitely not a beginner or even a family-friendly hike. Once you reach King Creek Ridge itself after about two kilometres of hard, steep hiking, the grade moderates and the rest of the hike is positively glorious. It's one of the best ridge walks I've done - though I'd also highly recommend nearby Pocaterra…
The Wasootch Ridge Trail in Kananaskis Country is a great early season hike. I decided to go for it one weekend in early May after seeing photos on Instagram. You can often see in real time the condition of hikes you want to do - and get ideas for future ones, especially if you're following local people. While I've never met Don @mcc617 I know he spends a lot of time doing hiking in Kananaskis,…
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…
I've put together 14 suggestions for winter day trips from Calgary with the hope that some of these recommendations are completely new to you. I think there should be something for everyone on this list no matter what your age or fitness level. If you break up your winter routine and get outside - even on the coldest of days, I can pretty well guarantee you'll feel amazing for having done something. Spending time outdoors…
If you're looking for a great hike that won't take all day and is relatively close to Calgary, you would do well to choose the Nihahi Ridge hike. The trailhead for the Nihahi Ridge hike located at Little Elbow Campground, is just an hour's drive from Calgary via Highway 66 near Bragg Creek. There is road access to get to the trailhead from May 15th until November 30th. The hike is approximately 4.1 kilometres one-way…
The Pocaterra Ridge hike in Kananskis Country deserves to be on your must-do list. It ranks as one of the best day hikes I've done in Alberta. Once on the ridge enjoy hours of mountain views in all directions. I did this hike with three women around the third week in September when the larches were at their peak. Pocaterra Ridge was absolutely stunning in September and truly a memorable hike. A summer hike would…
Summer time is made for backpacking and with so many options within a short drive of Calgary, it can be incredibly hard to choose where to go. Several months ago I decided on Tombstone Campground in Kananaskis but last week the permitting team called me to see if I wanted to switch to Lillian Lake as it had just reopened. I’d been hiking to Lillian Lake previously but just as a day trip so the…
Those of us who live in Calgary are lucky to have easy access to Kananaskis Country. The area is truly a winter adventure playground. All of the things to do in Kananaskis Country mentioned below can be done as a day trip but it's a real treat if you can spend a weekend up at the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge. The hotel is perfectly situated with skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and fat tire biking literally…
Cross country skiing in Peter Lougheed Park in Kananaskis Country is a fantastic way to spend a winter day. Weaving through the park are approximately 75 kilometres of superb cross-country ski trails. They are groomed though as of 2020, you will need to buy a ski pass - either for the day or the season. The cross country skiing in Peter Lougheed is some of the finest you'll find in Alberta. Located in the Kananaskis…