From short easy day hikes to adventurous scrambles, this guide will have you covered as you continue hiking through the fall and into the early winter season around Calgary.
This guide will be updated annually with new favs. so keep it handy and check back each year for more suggestions.
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| Mt Lipsett Summit, South Kananaskis |
Areas I've focused on in this guide
I've focused on areas of Kananaskis that are especially scenic in the fall with either larch trees or brightly colored fall foliage.
I've also chosen to feature hikes and summits that are still enjoyable when days get dark and dreary in late October - early November after the leaves have fallen off the trees.
Finally, I've included options for early-season snowshoeing or snow hiking around the Highwood Pass area where you can experience a full winter experience before the highway closes December 1st.
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| Fall is a great time to hike in Kananaskis! (Photo: Midnight Peak) |
Before you Hike!
Before you hit the trail please take a few moments to think about how you will keep yourself and your family safe this fall.
- Always carry bear spray with you and know how to use it. I also like hiking in a group for safety.
- Check Alberta Parks Trail reports for closures or wildlife warnings. The All Trails app is a great resource but it can't always be trusted for current closures and official updates.
- Be prepared with micro spikes or ice cleats for all hikes after late September. I've even needed them on occasion by mid September.
- Layers, layers, layers! Fall days start off chilly and you may need gloves, a toque, and even a light puffy jacket as you begin hiking. By noon, you could be stripped down to a t-shirt, wishing you'd worn shorts. Pack it all.
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| Fall hiking on Mt. Ware in South Kananaskis |
Finding the Hikes in this Guide
Every hike in this guide has a link to the All Trails website (which isn't perfect, but is certainly useful and will usually help you find the trailhead at least.)
I also recommend the following guide books:
The Kananaskis Country Trail Guides (Volumes 1-5) by Gillean Daffern
Family Hikes and Walks in the Canadian Rockies (Volumes 1 and 2) by Andrew Nugara
Hikes for Families: A Guide to the Canadian Rockies by Annika Mang
Family Hikes and Walks in the Canadian Rockies (Volumes 1 and 2) by Andrew Nugara
Hikes for Families: A Guide to the Canadian Rockies by Annika Mang
Finally, I have included links for previous blog posts I've written on the hikes below. (I'm a bit behind on a few but they're coming.)
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| Missinglink Mountain is a great short fall hike in South Kananaskis |
Fall Hiking in the Elbow Valley
These hikes are all located off Highway 66 past Bragg Creek to the SW of Calgary. It's one of our favourite areas to explore from Calgary because of the short drive. The trails also stay in condition longer in the fall, being closer to the front ranges.
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| Moose Mountain summit late season |
The Best Easy/Moderate Fall Hikes in the Elbow Valley
- Fullerton Loop - Park at the Allen Bill Day Use Area for this one. The loop is 7 km in distance with 200 metres of height gain.
This one is especially pretty in fall when the aspen trees are a bright golden yellow. Alternately if you've done Fullerton dozens of times, you can hike the Snagmore Trail from the same trailhead as a loop with the Elbow and Iron Springs Trails. Snagmore is also very beautiful in fall with bright colorful foliage. - White Buddha and Vents Ridge - Park at Powderface Creek or Elbow Falls for this one. The hike is 4 km return with 300 metres height gain. You can also make a loop by hiking over the top of the ridge and descending to Prairie Creek. I prefer doing the hike clockwise up Powderface and down Prairie. The loop is 5.5 km in distance and has a steep descent down to Prairie Creek.
- Powderface Ridge via Three Trail Pass - Accessible until the end of November. This is the shortest way to reach the top of the ridge with ~ 300 metres of height gain over ~ 3.5 km one way.
We like to do a one-way traverse with a car shuttle finishing low at the end of Highway 66. Height loss is then ~ 700 metres with a distance of 11.5 km one way. - Powderface East Ridge from Rainy Creek Summit - accessible until the end of November. This hike is 4 km return with 400 metres height gain. It can be done as a traverse using one of the Powderface Ridge Trails above with a car shuttle.)
If you're going to do a traverse, the highest starting point is via Three Trail Pass. Rainy Creek Summit is also a good starting point. Never start at the end of Highway 66 which is the lowest point (and requires the most climbing to reach the ridge.)
And for an epic traverse, try Three Trail Pass to Rainy Creek Summit. It's only 9.5 km one way with 450 metres of height gain, but you'll start and end at the highest access points. - Mustang Hills Loop - accessible until the end of November. This is a 6 km loop with 240 metres height gain.
Personal recommendation: Hike to the East Summit and back the same way for the easiest route finding experience rather than completing the loop. Skip the part of the loop that parallels the highway.
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| White Buddha and Vents Ridge is one of my fav. shoulder season hikes |
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| Vents Ridge from the White Buddha Trail |
Other Favourite Fall Hikes in the Elbow Valley:
- Canyon Creek Ice Cave Bike and Hike Adventure from Ing's Mine (14 km return, 450 metres height) / Best done with a bike to access the trailhead from the parking lot to save walking 11 km on a gravel road.
- Prairie Mountain (7 km return, 700 metres height gain)
- Nihahi Ridge - accessible until the end of November (8 km return to the South Summit, 700 metres height gain.)
You can also skip the scrambling by turning around at the end of the official hiking trail (5 km return, 400 metres height gain) - Forgetmenot Ridge - accessible until the end of November (11 km return to the North Summit, 700 metres height gain) - There's a river crossing for this one, but it's usually pretty shallow by fall. Bring a pair of old sandals.
- Moose Mountain - This is a great fire lookout hike, and you'll want to visit after the lookout closes up for the season so you can actually visit the heli-pad platform. In summer you won't be able to access the true summit because of signage preventing hikers from approaching the lookout house.
Note the signage is present year round, but personally I don't think it's a big deal to quickly visit the heli-pad for a photo when nobody is at the site working.
The hike is 14 km round trip, 750 metres height gain. It's largely a hike with a steep section at the end as you climb to the lookout site. You'll definitely want your ice cleats or spikes if the trail is snowy. Also, know that the Moose Mountain road is closed to vehicles Dec 1 - May 15 every year.
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| Forgetmenot Ridge is a fabulous hike in the Elbow Valley |
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| Canyon Creek Ice Cave Adventure |
Fall Hiking in the Ghost Public Land Use Zone
If you head west on the Highway 1A past Cochrane and then turn north on the forestry trunk road, Highway 40, you'll arrive in the tiny Village of Waiprous. Beyond that, you'll come to a wild area known as the Ghost where rules are few, random camping is extremely popular, and the roads are notoriously bad. Most trailheads are hard to get to and you'll have to drive across a river to reach many of them.
The two hikes below are located before the river crossing and are easier to get to than most in the Ghost. You can reach both trails in a normal vehicle as long as you take the gravel road slowly.
Make sure you download a map before heading out because most trailheads in the Ghost are not signed or marked.
Both of these hikes below are excellent late season choices and can be hiked into November.
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| Lesueur Ridge is a great half day hike in the Ghost |
Our Favourite Fall Hikes in the Ghost:
- Lesueur Ridge - This trail offers great scenery and hiking for such an easy outing early season (8 km loop, 400 metres height gain)
- Mockingbird Lookout - This hike takes you to an active fire lookout site (6 km return, 350 metres height gain)
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| Mockingbird Lookout in the Ghost |
Fall Hiking in the Jumpingpound and Sibbald Creek Areas
Head West on the TransCanada Hwy and then turn south on Sibbald Creek Trail (Highway 68.) This gravel road takes you to great late season hikes in the Sibbald Creek Region and provides access to the Powderface Trail road where you'll find other popular hikes which can be accessed until the end of November.
The first two trips are accessed from the Sibbald Lake Campground and can actually be connected in the same hike if you want.
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| Cox Hill summit (definitely not just a hill and a great fall hike) |
Our Favourite Fall Hikes in the Jumpingpound/Sibbald Creek Areas:
- Eagle Hill - 14 km return, 500 metres height gain.
Can also be accessed from the Seventy Buck Trailhead for a shorter distance of 8 km return and only 300 metres height gain. We like to do the hike as a one way traverse from Seventy Buck to Sibbald Lake with a car shuttle. - Deer Ridge - 6 km loop, 300 metres height gain
- Cox Hill - accessed from the Dawson Day Use Area on Powderface Trail before the winter road closure (13 km return, 800 metres height gain)
- Jumpingpound Summit Trail - accessible until the end of November from Powderface Trail (6 km return, 400 metres height gain)
And I highly recommend the glorious one-way traverse of Jumpingpound Ridge and Cox Hill with a car shuttle. It's a quick climb to the Jumpingpound Summit, after which you enjoy a beautiful ridge walk to the summit of Cox Hill before descending to the Dawson Day Use Area.
As a traverse, the trip is ~ 15 km in distance with 700 metres of height gain, but 1000 metres of height loss (so make sure you start at the Jumpingpound Summit trailhead.)
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| Jumpingpound Mountain Summit provides great views for an easy hike |
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| Not a bad view for an easy fall hike on Eagle Hill |
Fall Hiking in the Kananaskis Valley (Highway 40)
When people think of "Kananaskis" they typically think of the area around Barrier Lake and Kananaskis Village along Highway 40.
The Best Easy / Moderate Fall Hikes in the Kananaskis Valley:
- Troll Falls to the Upper Falls - 3 km, 150 metres height gain to Troll Falls. (From there it is another 2 km return with 70 metres height gain to reach the Upper Falls on an official signed trail.)
On this hike you'll visit Troll Falls, Marmot Falls (where you can hike behind the waterfall,) and finally the two tier Upper Falls above, all from an excellent trail. - Prairie View and Barrier Fire Lookout / Yates Mountain - This hike visits an active fire lookout site. (12 km return, 700 metres height gain to reach the summit and fire lookout.)
For an easier (and shorter) hike, stop at one of two viewpoints at the top of the Prairie View Trail. This also saves 125 metres of height gain. - Galatea Creek to Lillian Lake - 12 km return to Lillian Lake, 457 metres of height gain. Carry on to the Lower and Upper Galatea Lakes in another 150 metres of climbing.
- Rawson Lake - 7 km return with 320 metres of height gain. It's possible to climb above the lake on the Sarrail Ridge Trail as well, but the trail is very steep and you'll want to scan carefully for bears. Check trail advisories before visiting this area. - and if you're looking for a larch hike at the end of September, you will find larch trees above Rawson Lake.
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| Sarrail Ridge above Rawson Lake |
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| You won't find a better moderate day hike than the Prairie View Trail |
Other Favourite Fall Hikes in the Kananaskis Valley:
- Wasootch Ridge - This steep trail provides quick views in short time. The hike is 13 km return or as far as you want because you can turn around anytime when you tire of climbing up and over each bump along the ridge. Total height gain is 900 metres if you go all the way to the final summit, which most people don't.
This hike is a popular spring hike, but I prefer it in fall when it's not crawling with ticks! - Centennial Ridge to Mount Allan - Starting from Ribbon Creek you'll climb to Olympic Summit above the Nakiska Ski Area before gaining Centennial Ridge. A gorgeous ridge traverse leads you to the final climb for the Mount Allan summit. It's a long advanced hike, but one of the best in Kananaskis. AND, there are larch trees on the ridge.
- Porcupine Ridge - This is a fun ridge walk with a short but steep approach before you get to enjoy the long traverse. Be prepared for a few creek crossings and make sure you download a map before you go so that you find the correct slope up from the creek. (11 km return, 700 metres height gain)
Note All Trails says there is 900 metres height gain but I can assure you that is not correct unless you count every bump you'll go up and over. Even then it's not over 800 metres gain. - King Creek Ridge - 7 km return with 800 metres of height gain. This is a very steep trail but the reward is high with phenomenal views off the ridge (especially when the surrounding mountains are dusted with snow.)
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| The Centennial Ridge / Mount Allan Hike is one of the best in Kananaskis! |
Fall Scrambles in the Kananaskis Valley:
If you like scrambling steep rubble slopes, scree, and loose rock, the following trips are recommended with a pair of ice cleats or spikes for early season snow.
- Opal Ridge - Mostly a very steep hike. The views are amazing though over the Kananaskis Valley. (8 km return, 1000 metres of height gain)
- Wasootch Peak - This hike is crazy steep and you'll need to be comfortable on loose rock and scree to make the summit. (6 km return, 870 metres height gain)
- Baldy Pass to Midnight Peak - The trail to Baldy Pass is easily followed and well maintained. Beyond that, expect steep scrambling, lots of rock, and route finding to reach the summit of Midnight Peak. (12 km return, 1000 metres height gain)
- Baldy Pass to Mount Baldy South Peak - The trail to Baldy Pass isn't very exciting, but you can spice it up and improve views by continuing to the south peak of Mount Baldy in a lovely long ridge walk. (13 km return, 900 metres height gain)
When we did this one, we continued past South Baldy to gain the main peak of Mount Baldy. I do not recommend this with kids (see my story below) unless you have significant rock climbing and scrambling experience as a family. We used a rope. - Mount Baldy Main Summit - You approach the main summit of Mount Baldy from a different trailhead and it is a very steep hike with loose rock/scree and some solid moments requiring hands on scrambling. Don't try this one with kids unless you have significant scrambling experience first. (4 km return, 800 metres height gain)
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| Opal Ridge, Kananaskis |
Fall Larch Hiking in the Highwood Pass Area
Highwood Pass is the number one destination for larch hikes in Kananaskis by the third week of September.
Expect all trails at Highwood Pass to be VERY busy during larch season. The Parking lot is often full by 9am. Plan accordingly and hike mid-week if you can.
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| Pocaterra Ridge, late September at Highwood Pass |
The Best Larch Hikes at Highwood Pass:
- Pocaterra Cirque - This is a lovely short hike which ends at a pretty tarn surrounded by larch trees. You can extend your hike further up to the cirque or turn around at the pond. (7 km round trip, 400 metres height gain) - note that this is an unofficial trail and downloading a map is recommended. The trail is also often very muddy so plan accordingly.
Do not hike this trail or attempt Pocaterra Ridge after the end of October. There is avalanche terrain in the cirque. - Pocaterra Ridge - From Pocaterra Cirque, climb steep grass to reach the South Summit of Pocaterra Ridge in 8 km return, 600 metres height gain. Gaining the ridge provides great panoramic views of the golden valley below.
If you have two vehicles, you can complete a traverse of Pocaterra Ridge from Highwood Pass to Little Highwood Pass over several bumps and a beautiful larch forest at the far end. The complete traverse is 10 km point to point with 700+ metres of height gain.
The ridge is never overly narrow, but it is a difficult hike with some loose rubble and steep sections. It becomes more advanced when it is snow covered. - Ptarmigan Cirque - This is the number one family-friendly option at Highwood Pass. It's an easy trail, well marked, very official, and there are larch trees. Expect it to be busy anytime of the year. (3 km loop trail, 240 metres height gain)
Note when I say "easy," keep in mind that there is still 200 metres of climbing and it may feel steep to somebody who doesn't hike often. - Arethusa Cirque - This used to be a secondary location when people couldn't find parking at Highwood Pass, but in recent years, this hike has become just as busy as the Ptarmigan and Pocaterra Cirque hikes. There is more route finding involved for this one so downloading a map helps. Otherwise, it's generally an easy/moderate hike with a pretty larch forest. (4.5 km loop, 400 metres height gain.)
- Little Arethusa summit - You can extend your hike at Arethusa Cirque by scrambling the rocky slopes of Little Arethusa. It's often snow covered by late September so plan accordingly and bring micro spikes or ice cleats. Once at the summit ridge, there's some airy ridge walking required to reach the summit. (5 km out and back, 600 metres height gain.)
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| Pocaterra Cirque late September |
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| Pocaterra Cirque in larch season |
Early Winter Hiking in the Highwood Pass Area
The second reason you'll want to hike in the Highwood Pass area this fall: You love winter and can't wait for the snowshoe season to begin!
We love hiking to frozen Edworthy Falls late November before the highway closes and we've often hiked Ptarmigan Cirque for early season sledding.
Seriously, by November, it's full on winter at Highwood Pass complete with frozen waterfalls and possibilities for snowshoeing. There's also avalanche risk if you don't choose your hike carefully so do your research if you're hiking here anytime after November 1st.
This area is only accessible until the end of November. As of December 1st the winter gate is closed beyond Peter Lougheed Provincial Park preventing further travel south on Highway 40.
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| Early season snowshoeing to Elbow Lake |
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| Edworthy Falls in November |
The Best Early Season Snow Hikes near Highwood Pass:
- Elbow Lake - We've used this trail as an intro to snowshoeing with young children in November because the trail follows a wide road the entire distance to the lake. We even towed the children up to the lake in Chariots with ski attachments when they were toddlers. (4 km return, 175 metres height gain)
There's a campground at the lake as well where you can build a fire to roast hot dogs and marshmallows. Bring your own firewood in case there's none in the campground.
There is no avalanche risk if you turn around at the lake. - Edworthy Falls from Elbow Lake - Continue past Elbow Lake on a narrower trail until you reach the unmarked junction for Edworthy Falls. You'll want to have the map downloaded to find it. You'll also need spikes or ice cleats to get down the steep slope to reach the base of the frozen waterfall. (10 km return, 400 metres height gain)
This hike generally stays out of avalanche danger but should be avoided in times of high avalanche risk so check before you go. - Ptarmigan Cirque - We used to hike this trail with sleds every year for early season backcountry sledding fun with a gaggle of kids. (2 km out and back, 200 metres height gain)
Note that there is avalanche risk if you hike to the back of the cirque. With kids we used to turn around as soon as we reached the cirque, sledding on the first hills we'd find. I recommend bringing helmets as well and paying attention to sharks (rocks hidden below the surface.)
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| Ptarmigan Cirque in November |
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| Early season sledding at Highwood Pass |
Fall Hiking off the Smith Dorrien Trail / Spray Lakes Road
The next hikes are all located off the Spray Lakes Road, accessed from Canmore at the north end or from Peter Lougheed Provincial Park at the south end via Highway 40.
I've chosen to feature hikes that you'll want to enjoy around the third or fourth week of September when the larch trees have turned a golden yellow.
By mid-October most of these trails will be snowy and this is one of the first areas in Kananaskis where you'll definitely need spikes or ice cleats for fall hiking.
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| Burstall Pass in prime larch season |
The Best Easy / Moderate Larch Hikes off the Spray Lakes Road:
- Chester Lake - This is an easy family hike, and the lake is reached via a wide road much of the way. Continue a short distance beyond the lake and you'll reach the Elephant Rocks where you might lose the kids for hours as they climb the giant boulders.
The lake is rimmed with larch trees and you'll find lots of golden trees up by the Elephant Rocks. (9 km return to the Elephant Rocks, 400 metres height gain)
This is also a great winter hike following a dedicated snowshoe trail (which differs from the summer trail.) It stays out of avalanche terrain if you follow the marked trail and turn around at the lake. - Rummel Lake - There's no official parking lot for this one, but you'll park alongside the highway at the Mt. Engadine Lodge turnoff. I always like this hike because it's less busy than Chester Lake, and there are lots of larch trees up at the lake. (10.5 km return, 400 metres height gain.)
This is also a great winter hike and stays out of avalanche terrain if you follow the marked trail. - Burstall Pass - This is a longer day hike, but it's a great place to lose the crowds in larch season, and you'll find lots of golden trees up in the meadows around the pass. (16 km return, 650 metres height gain)
This hike is good until the end of October but then it will take you into avalanche terrain in winter.
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| Chester Lake |
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| Playing on the Elephant Rocks (bring helmets!) |
Other Favourite Larch Hikes off the Spray Lakes Road:
- South Lawson Peak - This is an easy summit with one section of airy ridge walking required at the end. While the trail is steep, it's largely hiking the entire time and you won't need to use your hands or do any scrambling until you reach the final ridge.
The ridge is covered in larch trees making this a great hike for late September. (7.8 km return, 700 metres height gain.)
This is also a great winter hike for those who still want to climb mountains when there's snow on the ground, and stays out of avalanche terrain. - Tent Ridge - This is a gorgeous hike anytime throughout the summer or fall, and you'll be able to look down on golden larch trees from the ridge. Just don't return in the winter because there is extreme avalanche danger. While you can hike out and back directly to the main summit, I recommend hiking the Tent Ridge Horseshoe Loop, best hiked clockwise so that you do the hands on scrambling section while climbing and not descending.
The ridge is never overly narrow but there is one section where you'll need to use your hands to ascend a cliff band, and there is some loose rock you'll descend from the main summit. (10 km loop, 800 metres height gain) - Mt. Smutwood via Commonwealth Creek- This is one of the Kananaskis rock star hikes and guarantees at least a small amount of Instagram fame if you capture the prized photo of Mt. Birdwood and the Birdwood Lakes from the summit.
Getting to the summit is no small feat though. First, the hike is 18 km round trip with 900+ metres of height gain. Second, the ascent of Smutwood from Smuts Pass below is a solid scramble with scree, loose rock, and hands-on climbing. I found it fun, but the final slope turns a lot of people away.
Fortunately if you're doing this one as a larch hike, you'll see lots of golden trees around the Birdwood Lakes and Smuts Pass area, and you do not need to summit the mountain. The mountain is just a side trip on an incredible hike.
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| Tent Ridge with its golden larch trees late September |
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| The prize photo from the summit of Mt. Smutwood |
Fall Hiking in the Bow Valley
The next hikes are all located west of Calgary along the TransCanada Highway and you'll pass by or near their trailheads as you drive to Canmore. They stay in condition much later than many hikes in Kananaskis and are great late season choices.
The Best Easy Fall Hikes in the Bow Valley:
- Heart Creek Trail - This is every family's favourite trail with young children who will love the number of bridges you'll cross over. (5 km return, 300 metres height gain)
- Heart Creek Bunker - Hike to a fun cave built during the Cold War, and now decorated with creepy colorful art work that's a hit with kids. This makes for a great Halloween themed hike. (4 km return, 200 metres height gain)
- McGillivray Creek Trail - This is a short half day hike, 4.5 km round trip, with only 200 metres of climbing. The forested trail bypasses the lower section of the McGillivray Canyon where there is open water and rock climbing required to make your way up cliffs and polished rock ledges. The forest trail joins the canyon again higher up for a short walk to a giant chock stone.
The upper canyon is generally easy to hike as you make your way to the chock stone, but it's very rubbly, scrambly, and I wouldn't bring toddlers or preschoolers. The forest bypass trail is also steep and has a few narrow sections as well as steep scrambly parts. Overall, save this for competent school aged hikers, older youth, or go with your adult buddies.
And, for a fun add-on, hike the first section of the lower canyon until you reach open water or cliffs requiring a rope. There used to be ropes and ladders in the canyon, but they've all been removed. Many people like hiking this trail in winter or late fall once the water has frozen and it's easier going. - Bow Valley Corridor Trail from Heart Creek to Dead Man's Flats - This section of the TransCanada Trail parallels the highway and is nothing exciting, but it serves as a great connector trail if you want to hike both the Heart Creek Bunker Trail and McGillivray Creek Trail in the same day.
I also love the section from McGillivray Creek to Dead Man's Flats for its mossy wooden staircases. You'll feel as if you've been transported to the West Coast.
For a great shoulder season hike, set up a shuttle with cars at both Heart Creek and Dead Man's Flats, and hike 7.5 km one way stopping at the bunker and McGillivray Creek for extensions. - Grotto Canyon - This is a great family hike and makes for a good choice in late fall after the leaves have fallen off the trees. Canyons are always fun regardless of the season or the weather. (4 km return to the waterfall, minimal elevation gain)
- Jura Creek - Another fun choice in fall when the creek is dry so you can play around inside the tight canyon. It's 4km return at most until you reach the end of the canyon. Carry on beyond as far as you want and turn around. There is minimal elevation gain.
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| Plan a Halloween themed hike to the Hart Creek Bunker |
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| Jura Creek has a fun canyon that's great to explore in fall |
Fall Scrambles in the Bow Valley:
- Heart Mountain - For this one, I recommend doing the full Heart Mountain Horseshoe Loop. While you can go up/down the same way, I always find the descent unpleasantly steep and loose. The loop offers some beautiful ridge walking and a more gradual descent at the end. (10.5 km loop, 940 metres height gain for the whole loop where you'll also summit Grand MacEwan Peak)
The loop should be done counterclockwise, climbing to the main summit of Heart Mountain first before connecting to Grant MacEwan Peak. - Mount Yamnuska - For this one I recommend descending via the new West Col route because there have been a lot of injuries coming down the scree slope on the front side. (9.5 km loop, 900 metres height gain.)
Note there is some exposure on this scramble and you'll have to traverse a narrow ledge where a set of chains has been attached to the rock to assist hikers. I would not call it "family-friendly" if you have young children. Youth should have solid scrambling experience for this one. See my story below.
Read: First Summits - Heart Mountain Family Scramble
Read: First Summits - Mount Yamnuska Family Scramble (to the very top)
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| Mount Yamnuska is a classic Rockies summit |
Other Recommended Fall Hikes in the Bow Valley:
- Yamnuska hiking trail to Raven's End - Hike to the base of the cliffs on Mount Yamnuska on a well maintained hiking trail. (8.5 km round trip, 500 metres height gain)
This is a beautiful hike late fall when the aspen and poplar trees are golden yellow. - Yamnuska Natural Area - There are several ponds and lakes scattered around the natural area below the cliffs of Mount Yamnuska. Several trails lead you on a pleasant loop around the area and it's a great way to escape the crowds! (12.6 km loop, 300 metres height gain.) The aspen trees are also gorgeous in this area late September.
Note that the link above follows one possible loop in the Yamnuska Natural Area. See a great map here on the Kananaskis Trail website for other options.
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| Raven's End is a great late season hiking objective with kids |
Fall Hiking around Canmore
These hikes are all located from trailheads around the Town of Canmore.
The Best Easy Hikes around Canmore:
- Grassi Lakes - 3 km return, 200 metres height gain
This a family-favourite with options to make your hike easier or harder depending on the age of your kids. I recommend taking the "more difficult" path which is the real hiking trail. The "easier" route is a wide gravel road, and good on descent. - Canmore Bow River Trail (TransCanada Trail / Three Sisters Pathway) - 12 km return
It doesn't get easier than this one for families. You'll follow a wide paved trail beside the Bow River from downtown Canmore out to the Three Sisters area. It is a gorgeous trail, great for biking or walking, and you'll pass by the large West Canmore Park Playground near the beginning of your walk. - Stoneworks Canyon - This is a fun easy 4.5 km return hike, great for late fall, and the trail ends in a cool canyon. We enjoyed it for a Halloween themed hike with costumes. Note it's called "Johnny's Trail" on the All Trails site. The trail ends at the canyon. There is ~ 350 metres of gentle elevation gain.
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| The colors of the Grassi Lakes are surreal! |
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| Stoneworks Canyon, Canmore |
Fall Scrambles around Canmore:
- Ha Ling and Miner's Peak - Summit one, summit both. They share the same col so you can easily tag both in the same hike. (8 km return, 800 metres height for both peaks)
- The East End of Mount Rundle, EEOR - Please take helmets if you do this one and try to visit mid-week. The trail is very busy and has become dangerous with rock fall hazard. (5 km return, 800 metres height gain)
Read: 5 Summit Day in Canmore (kid friendly) - Ha Ling, Miner's Peak, and the Three Humps
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| Ha Ling Peak: The classic must do summit near Calgary! |
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| Ha Ling Peak's famous wooden stair cases |
Fall Hiking in the Sheep River Area
Kananaskis has become very busy but you can still find quiet trails if you're willing to drive further south of Calgary. To reach the Sheep River Area, drive south on Highway 22 towards Diamond Valley. Turn west on Highway 546 and drive until you reach the Sandy McNabb Campground.
There is a winter gate just past the campground which closes for the season at the end of November. Beyond the gate, there are many beautiful trails to explore in September / October.
From my house in NW Calgary it only takes me an hour to reach the Sandy McNabb Campground so it really isn't all that far away. (And if you live in the south you really need to explore this area!)
From my house in NW Calgary it only takes me an hour to reach the Sandy McNabb Campground so it really isn't all that far away. (And if you live in the south you really need to explore this area!)
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| The Foran Grade Ridge / Windy Point Trail Loop is a great fall hike |
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| There's a huge network of trails in the Sheep for hiking, biking, and horseback riding |
Our Favourite Fall Hikes in the Sheep River Area - Sandy McNabb Campground Area
- High Noon Hills - Accessible year-round. This is a short half day hike and there's a fire pit at the top so bring firewood, marshmallows, and hot dogs with you for a family picnic. (5km return, 200 metres height gain. Loops and additional extensions possible.)
- Sandy McNabb Hills - Accessible year-round. Either extend the High Noon Hills hike with a car shuttle, or do a loop of the Sandy McNabb Hills as a stand alone hike. (11 km loop, 300 metres height gain. Can be shortened.) - This hike starts in the Sandy McNabb Campground area. The campground closes October 14th so after that you could combine the hike with a bonfire at any of the campsites. Bring your own firewood and supplies.
- Macabee Ridge - Pine Ridge - Starting at the ranger station / park office across from the Sandy McNabb Campground, you can create endless loops for a great fall choose your own adventure day. You'll largely be hiking wide winter ski trails, but if you're comfortable with a bit of off trail rambling, there are a few ridges you can also access for better views.
My recommended route: Start on the Macabee Loop, a wide ski trail, and then go off trail to climb Macabee Ridge. There's a good trail that traverses the ridge once on top. Descend the far side of the ridge to rejoin ski trails. Head back east to join the Pine Ridge Trail, another ski trail. Climb to the high point on Pine Ridge.
From the picnic table at the top of Pine Ridge, you have two choices. Either finish the Pine Ridge loop and head back to the parking lot, or if you left a car further west, you can begin a beautiful traverse of a third ridge called the "Pine Ridge - Death Valley Connector " It doesn't show up on All Trails, but if you have Gillean Daffern's volume 4 guide book to Kananaskis, it's trail number 13.
On our last hike here we traversed this third ridge on an excellent very official trail which departed Pine Ridge from the second viewpoint at a log bench. We carried on until we reached the Windy Point Trail and descended to our second vehicle. Our complete traverse was approximately 13 km with 500 metres of height gain overall.
Note these trails are only designated for hiking until ski season begins. In winter, Pine Ridge is a ski-only trail as is the Macabee Loop. - Foran Grade Loop with the Windy Point Trail - This loop is accessible until the end of November. (7 km loop, 300 metres height gain)
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| Gorgeous fall scenery and colors on the Pine Ridge - Death Valley Connector |
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| Hiking around the Sandy McNabb Campground is beautiful in fall |
Our Favourite Fall Hikes in the Sheep River Area - Beyond the Winter Gate
- Mt. Hoffman - Accessible until the end of November from the Indian Oils Day Use Area. (9 km round trip, 500 metres height gain.)
- Missinglink Mt - Accessible until the end of November from the Gorge Creek Parking lot (4 km return, 300 metres height gain)
- Mount Ware - Accessible until the end of November from Gorge Creek (15 km return, 700 metres height gain) - Note this is mostly a hike, but there is a short scramble up chunky rock at the very end to reach the summit. Route finding is also necessary so download a map before you go.
- Volcano Ridge - Accessible until the end of November from Gorge Creek. The full hike is 14 km return to both the South and North summits with 700 metres of height gain. Most people will turn around after the south summit which shortens the hike to 9 km return and reduces the height gain to ~ 400 metres.
And, for an epic fall loop, you can connect Mt. Ware and Volcan Ridge with a traverse across Surveyors Ridge. The full loop is 21+ km with 1000 metres of height gain.
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| South Volcano Ridge from the Gorge Creek Day Use Area |
Fall Hiking along South Highway 40
South of Highwood Pass there are a few trails that are lovely for fall hiking. They are only accessible until the end of November when the winter gates closes from both the north and south preventing travel between Peter Lougheed to the north and Highwood Junction to the south.
These hikes will be snowy by November, but are lovely in September - October.
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| South Mist Hills - East Summit, South Kananaskis along Highway 40 |
Our Favourite Fall Hikes on South Highway 40
- Mt. Lipsett - This is one of the best easy/moderate summits in Kananaskis. The trail is family-friendly, and it's never so steep that you couldn't take friends with you who might be more new-to-hiking. (14 km, 700 metres height gain)
- South Mist Hills - This is a great off-the-beaten path larch hike and the trail is never all that steep. Make sure you download the route because this is an unofficial trail. You start by hiking the approach for Mist Ridge, but then detour to the south where you'll reach a col surrounded by larch trees.
From the col you have two options. Either hike steeply up the east hill on your left, a mix of grass and rock with no trail, or hike up the shorter hill to the west on your right. The East Mist Hill has the better views and was my favourite.
Note you do not want to do the loop shown on All Trails for this one!! Hike up and down the same way via the Mist Ridge trail. As an out and back hike, the distance is 13 km round trip with 800 metres of height gain for both the west and east hills from the col. - Picklejar Lakes - This is primarily a summer hike, but expect a much quieter experience hiking this trail in the fall, and there's no reason not to hike it in September or October. The hike loops around four beautiful lakes in 11 km round trip distance with 600 metres of climbing.
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| South Mist Hills with larch trees |
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| Mt. Lipsett is one of the best easy-moderate summits in Kananaskis |
Fall Hiking around Highwood Junction
Drive further south and you'll come to the South Highwood area where you'll also have better luck at escaping the crowds rather than following all of Calgary into the Bow Valley.
Drive south on Highway 22 heading towards Longview until you reach Highway 541 where you'll turn west. From this junction it takes roughly 20 minutes until you reach Highwood Junction where you'll meet up with Highway 40 on the south side of Highwood Pass.
From Highwood Junction you can also head south on Highway 940 where other hikes await you (Raspberry Ridge and Mt. Burke below.)
You can reach this area year-round from the south but there is a winter gate which prevents access over Highwood Pass from the north after November 30th.
Our Favourite Fall Hikes around Highwood Junction:
- Junction Hill - Definitely not a hill, but a very nice hike with a pretty ridge walk and a great summit (8.4 km loop, 700 metres height gain)
Most enjoyable in my personal opinion done counter clockwise. Download a map before you go because there is route finding involved. - Gunnery Mountain - A favourite shoulder season hike for us. (9 km loop, 650 metres height gain)
When we last did this hike, we went both up and down the south ridge along the left side of the map. It's a steep trail but it's very direct and the ridge offers beautiful hiking! And as a bonus, there's no highway walking or shuttling required if you go up and down the same way! - Bull Creek Hills via Grass Pass - This is a great traverse with two vehicles. Climb gentle grassy slopes on a good trail to reach Grass Pass, From the pass, you begin the long traverse over several bumps and small summits before ending further east on Hwy 541.
Our full hike was 14 km one way with cars at each end, 800 metres height gain. - Mount Burke - This hike takes you on a great ridge walk to the historic Cameron fire lookout site (10 km return, 900 metres height gain)
- Raspberry Ridge - This hike takes you to the active Raspberry Ridge fire lookout site. (9.5 km return, 600 metres height gain) - Fire lookouts are great in fall when the attendant has flown out for the season and you can explore the site more freely.
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| Raspberry Ridge Fire Lookout Site |
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| Cameron Lookout site on Mt. Burke |
Happy Hiking!
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