All the best short hikes within 1.5 hours of Calgary to visit this fall
We’ve still got some good weather ahead of us, so if you’d like to take advantage of it over the next few weeks, these are some of the best short hikes near Calgary.
They are also perfect hikes for fall, with guaranteed views of the larches, and you don’t need to break too much of a sweat to enjoy them! All of these hikes are in Kananaskis country, so don’t forget to pick up your conservation pass online before heading out.
Troll Falls
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Troll Falls is one of our favourite hikes close to Calgary during the fall. It’s an easy trail with cute little waterfalls along much of the path. It definitely feels like it’s straight out of a storybook, so it’s no wonder where the trail got its name from.
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Location: The Stoney Trail Head parking lot is just off Highway 40
Length:Â 3.4 kilometres
Elevation: 227 metres
Bow River Loop
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If you’re taking a day trip to Canmore but would like to fit in a short hike with views of the Bow River, the Bow River Loop is a must-visit.
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Access the trail from Canmore’s downtown core on 8th Street
Length: 2.1 kilometres
Elevation: 50 metres
Elbow Falls
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A visit to Elbow Falls is really more for the views than the hike because it’s so short, but undoubtedly breathtaking. There are places to picnic along the river, but it’s so close to Bragg Creek that you might want to enjoy a snack in town first. This is a great spot for both the kids and the grandparents.
Difficulty:Â Easy
Location: Just off Highway 66, 20 km from Bragg Creek
Length: 0.6 kilometres
Elevation: 8 metres
Ptarmigan Cirque
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This dog-friendly path has some elevation, giving it some great views, but not so much that it will feel daunting to tackle. You’ll walk through a colourful forest before entering the cirque, which was created by glacial erosion.
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Highwood Meadows Day Use area at Highwood Pass
Length: 3.4 kilometres
Elevation: 241 metres
Grassi Lakes
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Grassi Lakes is probably one of the most popular short hikes in Kananaskis. You can take the easy trail across the gravel pathway or the more challenging route, which requires some fancier footwork. Either trail is still considered pretty easy, with a big reward at the end. The pools of water are genuinely stunning, especially when surrounded by the colourful fall leaves!
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Spray Lakes Road, around 2 km past the Canmore Nordic Center
Length: 3.4 km
Elevation: 166 metres
Cat Creek Waterfalls
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The Cat Creek Waterfalls trail is a very popular, well-marked, family-friendly trail in Kananaskis. The narrow trail leads you across bridges and through the trees before you reach the stunning viewpoint. The waterfall is a small area but offers an opportunity for swimming.
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Cat Creek Day Use Area, off Highway 40
Length: 2.6 kilometres
Elevation: 136 metres