7 fantastic hikes near Calgary to conquer this fall
Fall is one of the best times to check out hikes around Calgary, with cooler temperatures, changing leaves, and plenty of stunning scenery to take in.
From easy walks through colourful forests to more challenging hikes with mountain views, here are seven fantastic hikes near Calgary to conquer this fall.
Chester Lake
View this post on Instagram
Chester Lake is a popular hike in Kananaskis and a great spot to check out in the fall. The trail takes you through the forest before opening up to views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Once the leaves start changing, the trail is even more scenic.
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Chester Lake Day Use Area
Length: 4.6 km one way
Troll Falls
Scott Bennie/Shutterstock
Troll Falls is an easy but rewarding hike in Kananaskis thatâs great for a fall day. Youâll wind through the forest before reaching the waterfall. Itâs a shorter hike, making it a good option if you want to get outside without spending hours on a trail.
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Troll Falls Trailhead day-use area or Ribbon Creek day-use area
Length: 1.4 km
- You might also like:
- 11 of the best fall events to check out in and around Calgary
- Calgary slips further down list of top largest cities in the world
- Two new Costco locations are set to open in Alberta this fall
Ptarmigan Cirque
View this post on Instagram
Located in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Ptarmigan Cirque offers some pretty amazing fall mountain views. The trail takes you up into the mountains, where youâll find sweeping views of the area. The changing colours make it even more stunning than usual.Â
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Highwood Meadows day-use area at Highwood Pass
Length: 4.5 km
Grassi Lakes
View this post on Instagram
Grassi Lakes is a popular spot near Canmore, offering amazing views of a turquoise lake. The trail is surrounded by trees and mountain views, making it a great place to see some fall colours without taking on a super difficult hike. It’s also short enough to easily squeeze into a day trip.
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Spray Lakes Road, around two kilometres past the Canmore Nordic Centre
Length: 4 km
Fullerton Loop
Noah Vespa/Shutterstock
The Fullerton Loop is a moderate hike in Kananaskis with plenty of fall scenery along the way. The 6.8-km loop winds through the forest before opening up to views of the Elbow Valley and surrounding foothills. It’s near Bragg Creek, so you can easily make a day of it and explore the area after your hike.
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Allen Bill day-use area or Fullerton Trailhead day-use area
Length: 6.8 km
Elbow Lake
View this post on Instagram
Elbow Lake is a good one to add to your fall hiking list if you’re after something easy. The hike is relatively short, and you’ll end up at a mountain lake surrounded by peaks. It’s the kind of trail you can take your time on without having to spend an entire day on the trail.
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Elbow Pass Day Use Area
Length: 1.4 km
Johnston Canyon
Kellee Kovalsky/Shutterstock
Johnston Canyon is one of the most popular hikes in the Rockies and is a great option for a fall day trip. The trail takes you through the canyon and past small waterfalls before reaching the upper falls. The changing leaves make the walk even more scenic in the fall.
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Johnston Canyon Day Use Area
Length: 5.4 km