6 Calgary hiking trails with the best views within an hour of the city

May 19 2017, 9:25 pm

Written by Tammy Bogdane

An updated 2020 version of this article can be found here

It’s that time of year again! Get off your couch and into nature to nurture your soul. Calgary is an amazing city because it has so much to offer its residents, but the best thing about Calgary is how easy it is to get out of town, and into natural beauty.

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There are endless hiking trails around Calgary, and just an hour’s drive can get you to a multitude of them. Each trail offers exceptionally unique views that range from easy to hard skill levels. Check out our list to get your summer started!

Big Hill Springs


Located just 40 minutes out of the city, this trail is an easy mid-week escape for the whole family. There is a little bit of incline, but it’s pretty flat most of the way. A main attraction of this hike are the beautiful waterfalls.

  • Skill level: Easy
  • Distance: 42 km from Calgary
  • Location: Big Hill Springs Rd, Cochrane, AB

Wind Ridge Trail

🌄 View from the top, well almost! Thank for the great pics @dashepulik #mountainjunkie #explorealberta #windridgetrail

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The summit of this trail is low enough to the ground that it is still covered in grass, but it offers bridges to cross, foliage to see and mountain peaks to take in along the way!

  • Skill level: Medium
  • Distance: 103 km from Calgary
  • Location: Wind Ridge Trail, Canmore, AB T0L

Grassi Lakes trail

Home to some of the clearest water Alberta has to offer, Grassi Lakes Trail is sure to leave you mesmerized. This is a must-see trail especially because it doesn’t require a lot of skill to accomplish!

  • Skill level: Easy
  • Distance: 108 km from Calgary
  • Location: Grassi Lakes Trail, Canmore, AB T0L

Yamnuska

Snack bro dropping in #yamnuska #alberta #canada @prassberry @chiefbrendan

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Safety first! Rated as an advanced hike, this mountain has a chain to hang onto in order to cross a skinny ledge. How’s that for an adrenalin rush?

  • Skill level: Hard
  • Distance: 85 km from Calgary
  • Location: Bighorn No. 8, AB

Jewell Pass


This is a great hike to bring your furry pal on. The trail is a loop, so there are two options to take; counter clockwise (easier route), or clock wise (harder route). Counter clockwise is the easier route due to the difference in incline.

  • Skill Level: Medium
  • Distance: 83 km from Calgary
  • Location: Jewell Pass, Kananaskis, AB T0L

Grotto Canyon

Some decent views. #GrottoCanyon #BowValley #YYC #views #mountains #rockies

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Drawings on the wall? This trail has mysterious drawings on the rock walls that are said to be between 500 and 1000 years old. Can you find them?

  • Skill Level: Easy
  • Distance: 93 km from Calgary
  • Location: Grotto Mountain Pond, Bighorn No. 8, AB

When did Canada get so beautiful? By the time you complete these six trails, you’ll have fallen in love with this big and enchanting country even more! What are you waiting for? Get out there and tag #dailyhiveyyc on your adventures!

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