Alberta
Looking for the best hiking in Alberta? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Alberta. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near Alberta
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Improvement District No. 12, Alberta
Snowshoe to Jaques Lake Campground
16.2 mi / 147.6 ft gainThe Jacques Lake trail is one of the best winter trails in Jasper National Park and allows for various activities including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and camping. The trip to Jacques lake is 13km one-way through a narrow mountain valley and can be quite a strenuous, but rewarding hike in...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Sunshine Village Gondola and Standish Quad Chairlift Hike
6.2 mi / 902.2 ft gainIf you're looking for an adventure in the Banff area that's not as crowded as the main tourist attractions but offers as spectacular of views, check this gem out. Make sure to check hours of operation before going, gondola/ ski lift are not always running. Ride the gondola all the way to the to...Read more -
Bighorn No. 8, Alberta
Grillmair Chimneys Climb - Mount Yamnuska
First route put up on Yamnuska by Hans Gmoser, Leo GrillmairSome say this was the start of modern climbing in Canada5.6 Trad Route- 8 PitchesThis climb is very unique once you get to the last pitch- squeezing your way into a cave, once at the cave you climb through a small hole which brings you o...Read more -
Clearwater County, Alberta
Hike the Goldeye Lake Loop
5.01.6 mi / 32.8 ft gainAccess: Goldeye Road is located 100kms from Rocky Mountain House, 10kms west of Nordegg on Highway 11. Follow the road towards the lake access point on your left. Note: Please take the left turn to get to the lake and campground, if you follow the road to its end you end up at the Goldeye Centre...Read more -
Banff, Alberta
Snowshoe Mt. Norquay
2.2 mi / 1000 ft gainFrom Banff:Take the shuttle from the town lot to Mt. Norquay Ski Lodge, it is $10 CAD one way or $15 roundtrip, but you may want to walk back. If you decide to walk back there are two options; the road or the beautiful mountain trail. The trail head can be easily picked up in the parking lot, hik...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Hike to the Saskatchewan Glacier
9.3 mi / 984.3 ft gainThe Saskatchewan Glacier is usually seen from above, on Parker's Ridge, but this much quieter trail will give you access to the very base of the glacier. Though much longer than the famous Parker's Ridge, this trail is easy and meanders through morraines and forest before reaching the toe of the ...Read more -
Longview, Alberta
Carnarvon Lake Trail
12.9 mi / 2221 ft gainI first heard about Carnarvon Lake (mistakenly called Carnivore Lake) in 2015 at my sister's wedding in Rhode Island - which is actually the last place I figured I'd get a recommendation. I spent a good amount of time trying to find any mention of Carnivore Lake on the internet, and asked anyone ...Read more -
Kananaskis, Alberta
Running on the Tent Ridge
1.06.3 mi / 2706.7 ft gainTent Ridge is located in Kananaskis Country, a 45 minute drive from Calgary, Alberta. Start on Mount Shark Road at the pull out to your right. You will have to walk a few 100 meters back down the road to access the trail head to begin this hike.Some decent elevation is gained during the hike with...Read more -
Turner Valley, Alberta
Climb Wasootch Tower
Park at Wasootch Creek, Walk 2kms past the practice slabs5.7 Mixed- North RidgeFollowing the drainage on the right side that leads to the base of the esthetic tower. Then hike up the faint forested trail to the beginning of the climb.I found this to be a fun- easy scrambling route with quite a fe...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Devil's Thumb Scramble
7.09 mi / 2575 ft gainPark in the visitor parking lot at the Chateau Lake Louise parking lot in time for sunrise at Lake Louise...not to be missed! Then follow the pathway to the right around the lake to the Lake Agnes turnoff (well marked, with a small bronze statue at the intersection.) The waterfall is just befor...Read more -
Kananaskis, Alberta
Hike the Aster Lake Trail in Kananaskis Provincial Park
7.5 mi / 1969 ft gainA long day hike or perfect backpack trip, this alpine lake surrounded by high peaks, starts out relatively easy from the upper Kananaskis Lake parking lot, at the far end of the south side of the lake, with a short tour around the east side of Hidden Lake, you start, what at some points will seem...Read more -
Bezanson, Alberta
Camp in the Kleskun Hills
4.5Directions: From Grande Prairie, travel East on Highway 43 (towards Edmonton) for about 20 kilometers, then turn left on Range Road 41 and drive north for 3 kilometers. Finally take another left hand turn on Township Road 724 and continue on that road until you reach the Kleskun Hills campground....Read more -
Turner Valley, Alberta
Photograph Wedge Pond
3.00.25 mi / 10 ft gainJust off Highway 1 in Kananaskis Country is a beautiful pond that makes for a wonderful spot to enjoy the first light on the Canadian Rockies. Bring warm clothes as this place can be especially cold. Don't forget a camera and a blanket. I recommend going for sunrise as this is when the lighting i...Read more -
Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
Hike Amisk Wuche Trail, Elk Island National Park
4.01.7 mi / 170.6 ft gain35 minutes east of Edmonton (or one hour from the Edmonton International airport) is Elk Island National Park, a diverse northern prairie ecosystem with grassland, aspen and boreal forest that is home to a variety of mammals and over 250 bird species. The Amisk Wuche (Cree for “Beaver Hills”) Tra...Read more -
Muskeg River, Alberta
Camp at Pierre Grey's Lakes Provincial Park
Visit a provincial park hosting three crystal clear lakes, four campgrounds, and a fair sized island to go out on and explore! The three lakes are perfectly suitable for canoeing and kayaking, as well as fishing. Desjarlais lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Moberly Lake is stocked with Brook Tr...Read more -
Lake Louise, Alberta
Hike to the Lake Louise Overlook
5.02 mi / 500 ft gainThis is a fairly steep, short hike that gives you a great view of Lake Louise. The hike begins right behind the canoe rental shop on the South side of the lake. The trail is very easy to follow and there are quite a few people that hike it. The hike is an hour and half round trip. The hike leads...Read more