Within 2 hours of Calgary, these 10 hiking trails range from easy family-friendly walks to challenging mountain scrambles, offering waterfalls, alpine lakes, and panoramic peak views. Embarking on any of these trails delivers a taste of Alberta’s Rockies without a long drive. From urban-edge paths to high mountain lakes, each route is scenic and well worth the visit. Locals and tourists alike will find options here: gentle boardwalks and waterfall strolls for beginners, and steeper summit hikes for experienced trekkers. Below we list each trail by name, with a short description, distance, difficulty and a highlight point.
Johnston Canyon (Banff NP)
This very popular Banff National Park trail is a kid-friendly walk through a deep, tree-lined gorge to two waterfalls. The trail to the Upper Falls is about 5.5 km (round trip) with only ~200 m elevation gain, and is rated easy. Its highlight is the dramatic catwalk bridges along the canyon that lead to Lower and Upper Falls. The boardwalk trails make this “easy” hike accessible for families.
Grassi Lakes (Canmore)
A short, 4.3 km round trip gravel path with about 200 m of climb, Grassi Lakes is also rated easy. Hikers are rewarded with two turquoise alpine lakes surrounded by forest and mountain peaks. There are two trail options: a gentle loop (good for strollers) or a steeper switchback route. In summer, Grassi’s clear blue-green waters and the view of Ha Ling Peak make it perfect for a picnic or photos.
Ha Ling Peak (Canmore)
A classic scramble, Ha Ling Peak is a steep 7.9 km round-trip hike (745 m gain) with spectacular summit views. It’s rated Moderate–Difficult due to the sustained uphill sections, but the payoff is huge: the rocky summit overlooks Canmore town and the Bow Valley. On a clear day the panorama includes Cascade Mountain, Bow Valley, and of course Canmore below. This challenging trail is a must for fit hikers looking for a rewarding summit view.
East End of Rundle (Canmore)
Often called the “fairly easy scramble” of Canmore Hill, this 5.6 km out-and-back climb gains ~875 m. Rated Hard on guidebooks, it features some easy scrambling and ladder sections near the top. The summit (2,545 m) sits at the eastern end of Mount Rundle, with sweeping views over Canmore and the Bow Valley. Hikers describe it as a more rugged alternative to Ha Ling. This is a rugged, rewarding day-hike for confident hikers.
Chester Lake (Kananaskis)
A gem in Kananaskis Country, Chester Lake is about 9.0 km round-trip (315 m gain). For many regular hikers it feels easy to moderate. The wide trail first rises steeply then opens into a beautiful alpine meadow. The scenic lake at the end is framed by towering cliffs and wildflowers in summer. In fall you may see golden larches along the shore – this valley is famous for autumn colors. It’s a classic moderate hike: not too long, very scenic, and still family-friendly if you’re prepared for some climb.
Troll Falls (Kananaskis)
This short 3.7 km loop is flat and easy for any fitness level. The trail follows a forested creek and leads to a pretty cascade waterfall (Troll Falls). Many families and beginners enjoy this quick outing, especially in winter when the falls freeze into a natural ice sculpture. Along the trail you’ll pass by small cascades and lush woods, reaching the falls which drop over a rocky ledge into a shallow pool. The gentle grade and photogenic waterfall make it an ideal relaxing hike even for new hikers.
Heart Creek Falls (Kananaskis)
A hidden gem among Kananaskis walks, the Heart Creek Interpretive Trail is 2.6 km round-trip (1.3 km one-way) with narrow canyon scenery. It’s rated Intermediate due to some uneven footing, but the hiking is short and mostly flat along a forested gorge. The big highlight is a hidden waterfall reached by crossing 7 rustic bridges over Heart Creek. The final cascades fall into a pool beneath mossy cliffs. This easy loop is perfect for a quick waterfall fix: you follow the wooden bridges upstream through a spruce forest to reach the falls.
Elbow Lake (Kananaskis)
This is a 4.0 km out-and-back trail (easy difficulty) through open forest to a quiet mountain lake. The trail is very gentle (only ~174 m gain) and suitable for families. At the end, Elbow Lake lies beneath a rocky ridge, surrounded by trees. Hikers enjoy the peaceful alpine lake view, and in summer the lake’s calm water is a great spot for a snack. You can circle the lake on a short spur trail for different vantage points. This is one of the simplest lake hikes in Kananaskis – short, scenic, and nearly flat.
Tunnel Mountain (Banff NP)
A popular quick summit right near Banff town, Tunnel Mountain’s trail is about 4.8 km round-trip (2.4 km one-way) with 260 m elevation gain. It’s rated moderate, though many beginners handle it (the path is wide and well-maintained). In about 1–2 hours you’ll reach the top of Banff’s “sleeping buffalo” hill for 360° views over Banff town, the Bow River, and nearby peaks. The summit has even a large rock outcropping with red “Banff chairs.” Because it’s so accessible, Tunnel Mountain is a classic warm-up hike or family adventure – short enough for kids, and still giving a great overlook of the valley.
Rawson Lake (Kananaskis)
This 7.8 km round-trip trail (300 m gain) leads to a stunning glacier-carved alpine lake beneath Mount Sarrail. It’s rated moderate. The hike starts at Upper Kananaskis Lake and first follows an easy old road with occasional lake views, then climbs to the cirque. The highlight is Rawson Lake itself, set in a high bowl surrounded by steep cliffs. On a calm day the clear lake reflects the snow-capped peaks above. Nearby you’ll also pass a small waterfall on the Upper Kananaskis Lake trail. Rawson Lake is a beautiful day-hike reward: the lake’s pristine setting is one of the Rockies’ best vistas.
About Sofia Alvarez
Sofia is a Barcelona-native travel journalist and blogger who has been exploring the world since her teenage years.
