Here are my suggestions for some fun hikes in the Alberta, Canada area. The best part about all of these? They are seriously gorgeous and dog friendly!
WATERTON
Crypt Lake
5 3/8 mi (8.7 km) one way – 2,300 ft gain (695 m)
Trailhead: take boat shuttle from Waterton Village Marina to trailhead at Crypt Landing
Payoff: one of the most famous in the Triple Crown – you pass three waterfalls: Twin Falls, Burnt Rock Falls, and Crypt Falls – take a side hike to Hell Roaring Falls – climb a steel ladder into a natural tunnel to Crypt Lake
Carthew Alderson Trail
12 1/2 mi (20.1 km) one way – 2,132 ft gain (650 m)
Trailhead: trail starts at Summit Lake. Summit Lake can be reached through the Summit Lake Trail that starts at Cameron Lake.
Payoff: another Triple Crown hike – mountains, meadows, creeks, waterfalls and lakes – backcountry camping at Alderson Lake
Red Rock Canyon Loop to Blakiston Falls
1.4 mi (2.2 km) out & back 318 ft gain (96 m)
Trailhead: there is really no trailhead, but to get to the parking lot take Red Rock Parkway of Park Access Rd.
Payoff: splash through canyons and cool off with your pups
Warning: tourist AF
CANMORE
Grassi Lake
2.4 mi out & back 820 ft gain
Trailhead: pass the Nordic Center and take a left when you get to the junction of a gravel road & paved road – stay on the paved road to the Grassi Lake parking lot.
Payoff: a gorgeous turquoise & green lake with views of Canmore
East End Rundle
4.7 mi out & back 2880 ft gain
Trailhead: head north up the hill from the Goat Creek parking lot
Payoff: easy scramble – views of Bow Valley & Canmore
BANFF
Twin Lakes to Banff Backcountry Campground TW7
10.3 mi (16.6 km) out & back 4,465 ft gain (1,361m)
Trailhead: Highway 1 north to Highway 93. Vista Lake/Twin Lakes trailhead. If you cross the border into British Columbia you went too far.
Payoff: Steep climbs passing four beautiful lakes – Vista, Arnica, Upper Twin, Lower Twin – backcountry campground nestled by a lake
Johnston Canyon + Cave
3.4 mi out & back 700 ft gain
Trailhead: Bow Valley Parkway to Johnston Canyon parking lot – follow bridge to trailhead
Payoff: waterfall hike to a unique photography spot
Warning: start early or late afternoon to avoid crowds
Vermillion Lakes
Payoff: beautiful series of lakes – sunrise photography – hot spring at the 3rd lake – tons of wildlife
Moraine Lake
5 minute walk from parking lot
Payoff: visit one of the most famous lakes in the park – beautiful blue reflections in the lake
Warning: TOURIST AF – get there before dawn
Plain of Six Glaciers
4.2 miles out & back 1263 ft gain
Trailhead: West on Trans Canada Highway 1 – Lake Louise exit – parking lot of east end of Lake Louise
Head towards Mirror Lake then to Lake Agnes – hike Devil’s Thumb if you have the time!
Payoff: visit 3 glacial lakes by Lake Louise – two cute teahouses, but Plain of 6 tea house is quieter
Warning: heavily trafficked – leave early or go during the week
YOHO
Emerald Lake Loop
3.2 mi loop
Trailhead: Trans Canada Highway 1 to Emerald Lake Road – parking lot
Payoff: visit the most photographed lake in Yoho
Warning: Tourist AF – tons of people – if you want to avoid some of the crowds hike up to Hamilton Falls
Camp at Takakkaw Falls
Take Yoho Valley Road up the mountain to the parking lot
Payoff: be ready to feel small at this humongous waterfall – third highest waterfall in Canada – sunset here is unreal
Semi-backcountry campsite – it is walk in, so use the wheelbarrows at the parking lot to haul your gear to the campground – awesome place to overnight – waterfall views from campsite
Takakkaw Falls to Twin Falls
11.2 mi (18 km) out & back/or loop to Iceline 984 ft gain (300 m)
Trailhead: Takakkaw Falls parking lot
Payoff: beautiful hike along the river with lookouts of a few waterfalls along the way – Twin Falls Tea House
Backcountry camp at Twin Falls Campground – beautiful site right along the river – we had a blast here
Iceline Trail via Twin Falls – aka BEST HIKE EVER
(Photo of our route below)
Trailhead: Takakkaw Falls parking lot
We did this route as a big backcountry loop from Twin Falls campground.
There is an option to take the trail from the Whiskey Jack Hostel and do the route the reverse way we did.
Payoff: This is my favorite hike we’ve done – EVER – surreal views of the Canadian Rockies, waterfalls, alpine lakes, and meadows
Warning: Start early and bring layers – we got caught in pouring rain and a hailstorm – The final 2 miles of trail was an aggressive descent through switchbacks and was steep AF
our reckless adventure 