Just make sure to prepare properly. But what we really love about hiking in Wild Rose Country is that you don't have to be in the Rockies to find unscripted wilderness. Start at the campground and hike through an otherworldly landscape of hoodoos that come in … Bloggers who have lived the adventure:Leigh from HikeBikeTravel.comJeremy at CampingCanucks.com, Sunwapta Falls credit Canadian Photo Adventures, Closest city: JasperLength: 1 kmElevation Gain: Approx. Distance: 3.7km Last Updated August 9, 2020. You don’t gain much elevation on this trail, so don’t worry about breaking a sweat. A relatively easy hike which may spur your interest in what the best hiking trails in Banff National Park are all about. It’s quite short and has a low elevation. There are stairs and steep sections, and the trail can get hot. Details: This is an easy and popular hike for visitors to Banff. Once you’re exposed, the elements can be relentless, so bring some layers to block the wind. O’Brien Lake surrounded by larches is equally spectacular – one of the top larch hikes in Alberta Larch hikes – Larch Valley for an overcrowded but premiere experience. Take the cruise boat across Waterton Lake. Driving there can be challenging, so be careful. Picklejar Lakes Hike: The route to Picklejar Lakes is often voted as one of the best hikes in the Kananaskis region, offering varied terrain and magnificent views. The landscape for much of the route takes you through wide-open landscapes, exposed due to glacial melt since the mid-1840s. Aug 8, 2020 - Explore Road Trip Alberta's board "Popular Alberta Hikes", followed by 130 people on Pinterest. Details: Sulphur Skyline is a short (but steep) climb will reward your efforts with stunning views. There are sections where snowshoes won’t do the trick, which is why we suggest packing microspikes as well. As you poke out of the trees, the views will open up to the mighty Ha Ling and part of Mount Rundle. Easily accessible from the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise or the Lake’s public parking lot, this hike begins first as the trail to the Lake Agnes Tea House, a well-known and easy ascent. Jasper National Park is an absolute gem. Depending on this area’s most recent snowfall, this trail is suited for snowshoeing or winter hiking with microspikes. K-Country comprises several provincial parks, and some of the winter hikes provide more of a challenge than walks you’ll find near the city. Explore the most popular backpacking trails in Alberta with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. It’s one of the most scenic alpine hiking areas in Alberta and the best part is you don’t have to work hard to get there. Be careful with icy patches on the way down, but keep your camera out—the views are equally as impressive hiking out. Details: The Skyline Trail is well known for its stunning views, with most of the hike being above the treeline. Nature’s Stairmaster! Check out these enjoyable winter hikes around Canmore. O’Brien Lake surrounded by larches is equally spectacular – one of the top larch hikes in Alberta Larch hikes – Larch Valley for an overcrowded but premiere experience. Feel the freshness of the winter air as you immerse in nature amid the urban jungle of Calgary. Difficulty: Easy to moderate; Hiking time: Upper Falls – 1.5 hours return. Drive south of Jasper on Highway 93, for about 55 kilometres. Closest city: WatertonLength: 20 km one-wayElevation Gain: 650 mTime: 6-8 hoursDifficulty: Difficult. Walking through the meadows, you’ll be among jagged, snowy peaks, making a lovely backdrop from some winter family pics. We want to help you find them. This challenging trek is less popular than others, so you may encounter grizzlies rather than other hikers. Drive south of Jasper on the Icefields Parkway. Switchbacks, steep slopes, tree-covered trail sections and stunning views of the surrounding peaks and valleys are some of what you can expect on this hike. From Grande Cache, drive about six kilometres north on Highway 40. Located in Banff National Park, around 10-15km away from Lake Louise, Moraine Lake is probably the most photographed and best hikes in Alberta to explore if you want an iconic landscape. Awesome Alberta: Horseshoe Lake will be your new favourite swimming spot; Awesome Alberta: Larch Valley is a must hike … Canada’s Rocky Mountain national parks beg exploration—boundless and beautiful, these wild spaces offer some of the best hiking in the world. Leigh McAdam. Whether you're looking for the best trails in Banff National Park or around Kananaskis Improvement, Lake Louise or Canmore we've got you covered. Distance: 3.0km Closest city: Milk RiverLength: 4.4 kmTime: 4 hoursDifficulty: Moderate. Details: Don't miss this gorgeous day hike in Banff National Park. Mar 28, 2018 - 10 minute read. Directions. This hike, named after its destination, leads hikers to the forefield of the Athabasca Glacier. You can then turn towards the Waterfall Lookout for a neat perspective overlooking the top of the falls. In fact, the snow and ice adds a special kind of magic that you can’t find in summer. 5 of the best hikes in Southern Alberta Thu. Hikers must take a boat to and from Crypt Landing to access this thrilling trail. Zell am See – Kaprun. Blackshale Suspension Bridge Kananaskis – Smith Dorrien. Park in the dedicated lot. Crypt Lake – Waterton Lakes National Park. The 17 amazing winter hikes we’ve listed range in distance, time, and difficulty. Choosing just nine bucket list hikes is about as big a task as climbing the biggest peaks in the Park, but here’s a start: Share. Find which path suits your preferences, and get out there. But it comes with crowds and traffic. When thinking of geological wonders, Jasper National Park springs to mind, and the Maligne Canyon trail jumps to the top of the list. The trail begins at Cameron Lake, at the end of Akamina Parkway in Waterton. Wide open plains and arid badlands beg to be explored, too. 5 of the best hikes in Southern Alberta Thu. We’ll never tire of the views from the town of Ha Ling Peak and the Three Sisters, especially when they’ve been dusted with snow. From Edmonton, take the Yellowhead to Jasper National Park and watch for a sign to Miette Hot Springs. There is no sign, so use the AllTrails app. I've been to Boom Lake and Johnston Canyon during the winter - so beautiful! How do I get to Crypt Lake trailhead? Walk through tunnels, across metal catwalks, and amid tranquillity, discovering many lookouts along the way. 11 KM Return. Bloggers who have lived the adventure:Rhonda from TravelYesPlease.comBarry from HikingWithBarry.com, Wilson Hui CC by 2.0 flickr.com/photos/wilsonhui, Closest city: BanffLength: 11.9 kmElevation Gain: 883 mTime: 3-4 hoursDifficulty: Difficult. Distance: 7.5km Leigh McAdam. Get the GPS route and guide for the Galatea Creek and Lillian Lake trail to help navigate while you’re out in the snow. The Best Winter Hikes Canmore December 12, 2018 November 27, 2018 by courtyardadmin Canmore is one of Alberta’s most charming little mountain towns, and while it’s a delight year-round, it truly begins to sparkle once the snow begins to fall. 10 of the Best Hikes near Canmore, Alberta by Kristin Warkentin / Jun 8, 2018 Share Tweet Share Share Pin . Bhutan. How do I get to Wood Bison Trail trailhead? Because it’s such a classic hike, the trail can get busy during peak seasons. You’ll likely encounter large crowds at the beginning of your journey, since the trail starts near Chateau Lake Louise, but the view during your hike will be worth it. Exit on the south side, and then head slightly west to the parking lot and trailhead. The trail is generally packed down, so you will be fine hiking with microspikes. Regions. "The hike is moderately strenuous with about a 700 ft ascent straight up through a serious of switchbacks through a beautiful alpine forest - look for the stunning purple pine cones on Subalpine Firs." Elevation: 47m From there it’s an 8.7-kilometre hike one way and rises up to 1,981 metres (elevation gain of 695 metres). If you haven't stood among the majestic peaks of Alberta's Rocky Mountains, you need to start planning a visit. Watch out for other winter adventurers on the path, and don’t forget to pack a hot drink to sip once you reach the lake. Distance: 4.2km To easiest access to Johnston Canyon is from the Castle Junction exit off of the Trans-Canada Highway (1). There are countless places to roam and what seems like an endless tangle of trails that thread hikers through wildflower-filled valleys, along alpine ridges, and above glacier-fed lakes. Want to see where these hikes rank against Canada's greatest hikes?