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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

  • Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

    Hike Johnston Canyon

    5.0
    1.6 mi / 393.7 ft gain
    Getting There: The Canyon is very well marked, but here are directions anyway if you're coming from Banff: Head West on the Trans-Canada Highway for about 5 km or so. Take the Bow Valley Parkway exit, and continue West for another 18km - you'll then see signs to your right for Johnston Canyon. Th...
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  • Clearwater County, Alberta

    Hike Windy Point Ridge

    4.7
    5.3 mi / 4002.6 ft gain
    The trail is steep from the very beginning, which offers rewarding views from the get go. There is moderate scrambling throughout the hike up, which requires the use of hands and some minor route finding at times. Once you reach the top of Windy Point Ridge, you can continue on northeast towards ...
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  • Jasper, Alberta

    Explore Cavell Lake In Jasper National Park

    4.5
    The hike down to the lake is relatively short, less than .5km each way. Once to the shore of the lake, soak in the amazing views of the reflection of the most prominent mountain in Alberta! Edith Cavell Mt. is the tallest mountain in Alberta at 3,364 meters (11,033 feet).Getting there: Drive sout...
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  • Clearwater County, Alberta

    Backpack the Vision Quest Trail

    4.2
    4.16 mi / 2818 ft gain
    This short, but steep hike includes a moderate scrambling section, leading to an open spine that becomes increasingly difficult. The views of Abraham Lake are well worth the uphill grind, however, and this makes for a great half-day or beautiful backcountry overnight trip. About one third of the...
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  • Canmore, Alberta

    Hike to Grassi Lake

    4.5
    2.4 mi / 820.2 ft gain
    To get to the Grassi Lake trailhead, continue past the Nordic Center about 2km and take a small left when you reach a junction between a gravel road and a paved road. You want to be on the paved road, as this will lead you down to the Grassi Lake parking lot. The trail starts right behind the res...
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  • Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

    Hike to Consolation Lakes

    4.0
    3.7 mi / 196.9 ft gain
    Once at Moraine Lake, the directions to Consolation Lakes are quite clear. From the parking lot, head northeast past the rockpile, which provides fantastic views of Moraine, then follow the Consolation Lakes Trail for another 2.9 km (1.8 miles) past Taylor Lake until you reach the lake. Depending...
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  • Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

    Sentinel Pass: Larch Valley to Paradise Valley

    5.0
    10.45 mi / 2618 ft gain
    This popular hike starts out by the one the most iconic lakes in Banff National Park, Moraine Lake. Though the trail from Larch Valley attracts herds of tourists, this is a majestic hike you don’t want to miss. Before your hike, contact the park office at Moraine Lake about possible hiking restr...
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  • Greenview No. 16, Alberta

    Explore Kakwa Wildland Park

    Kakwa Wildland Park is 160 kilometres southwest of Grande Prairie. For travel beyond Lick Creek (roughly 10 kilometres from the park’s northern boundary) a four-wheel drive vehicle is essential. The trail to Kakwa Falls is 20km in length, and takes approximately 1.5 hours one-way if driving a 4x4...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Rawson Lake

    4.5
    5 mi
    Getting There From Highway 1, Take Highway 40 South to Kananaskis Lakes Trail, and turn left at Upper Kananaskis Lakes Drive. The Trail The trail to Rawson Lake starts at the end of the "Day Use Area" at Upper Kananaskis Lake. The lake gently laps the shoreline to the right and moss carpets the...
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  • Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

    Hike to Hector Lake

    5.0
    3.1 mi
    Hector Lake is one of the larger lakes in Banff National Park. It is surrounded by the Waputik Range to the west, and offers pristine views of the mountains. Hector Lake is idyllic and peaceful. Most tourists drive past the trailhead on the parkway, which means the hike is not at all busy. An...
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  • Bragg Creek, Alberta

    Prairie Mountain and Elbow Falls

    4.4
    22 km west of Bragg Creek, turn off Highway 66 at the Elbow Falls Parking Lot. Park on the North side of the road on the shoulder at the winter closure gates. The trail is well-defined and heads straight up (North) from the highway.The trail begins with some steep switchbacks, but then levels out...
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  • Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

    Explore Bankhead Ghost Town

    5.0
    0.81 mi / 37 ft gain
    Bankhead is a ghost town which flanks Cascade Mountain and lies just south of Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park. The main portion of the ghost town is located in Lower Bankhead, which can be reach by traveling North on Range Rd 1158 (closed Nov - Apr), following the signs to Lake Minnewanka....
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  • Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

    Larch Valley Trail to Minnestimma Lakes

    5.0
    5.61 mi / 1909 ft gain
    Starting at the Moraine Lake parking lot take, take the main trail the leads down past the cafe and lodges on the lake shore. A short way down the trail splits, to the left is just the lakeside walk. For Larch Valley take a right, it is clearly signed. Depending on the time of the year there are ...
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  • Sawback, Alberta

    Hike Mount Bourgeau

    5.0
    12 mi / 2460 ft gain
    Taking Hwy 1 West of Banff for approximately 8 miles you'll come to the Bourgeau Lake Trailhead. This trail starts with a 4.5 mile, 2460ft elevation through the forest to the beautiful Bourgeau Lake. This glacial tarn signals the start of the alpine and a wonderful morning hike on it's own. From ...
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  • Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

    Eiffel Peak

    5.0
    7.14 mi / 3917 ft gain
    Take in stunning alpine views of the famous Valley of the Ten Peaks as you head to Eiffel Peak. A much more unique photo opportunity of Moraine Lake. Views of several prominent glaciers and the gorgeous Paradise Valley. The Eiffel Tower rock formation viewable from the summit. 11km roundtrip. 130...
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  • Bragg Creek, Alberta

    Hike to Bragg Creek Ice Cave

    4.0
    4.3 mi / 5879.3 ft gain
    Also known as Moose Mountain Ice Cave, Canyon Creek Ice Cave and Ing Mine.The cave is located on the west side of Moose Ridge andhas a huge entrance, it is approximately1,600 ft. in depth. Take Highway 22 past Bragg Creek, continue on the 66 towards Moose Mountain.  Turn off at Canyon Creek Road...
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