12 Easy Hikes Near Canmore |

Canmore is within 15 minutes of Banff National Park and offers a variety of hiking options if you want to escape some of the larger crowds. While more and more tourists are flocking to Canmore, it is still considerably fewer people than the Town of Banff.

If you want to explore the Banff National Park area then try these 10 Easy Hikes in Banff National Park.

There are many easy hikes near Canmore that offer stunning jaw-dropping features from waterfalls to mountain views.

I wrote a book!

All of these easy Canmore hikes are kid-friendly and featured in the new guidebook called Hikes for Families: A Guide to the Canadian Rockies.

The book features full descriptions of each hike with maps! The book is also available in Ebook format!

Grassi Lakes

Grassi Lakes is a popular hike located in Canmore and for good reason. The trail takes you up to view the clear turquoise lakes. There are two 3.8 km (2.3-mile) trails that climb up 250 metres (820 ft) to the clear turquoise Grassi Lakes. The easy trail gradually climbs up a wide trail that is stroller accessible. The more difficult trail follows a path alongside the mountain, is significantly steeper with some cliffs but also follows past a small waterfall. Many hikers hike up the more difficult trail and down the easy trail.

Insider Tip for Families: Many climbers enjoy scaling the rocks alongside the lakes. Stay away from these areas as rockfall is very common.

Rating in the book Hikes for Families: A Guide to the Canadian Rockies. Moderate and Challenging Options.

Trailhead Address on Google: Ken Richie Way, Canmore, AB

Quarry Lake Loop

*This year there is a $20 parking cost for tourists.

Quarry Lake Loop follows an easy, wide, stroller-friendly trail for 1.1 km (.68 miles) located in Canmore, Alberta. There are picnic tables on both sides of the lake to enjoy a day soaking up the views of the Three Sisters and Ha Ling Mountain.

Insider Tip for Families: There is a sandy beach at Quarry Lake. Pack a shovel, pail, swimsuit, and life jackets to enjoy some time by the water on a hot day!

Rating in the book Hikes for Families: A Guide to the Canadian Rockies. Easy.

Trailhead Address on Google: 3JHG+62 Canmore, Alberta

Heart Creek Trail

Located in the heart of Bow Valley Provincial Park, Heart Creek Trail is only 13 minutes East from Canmore. Surrounded by incredible mountain views, the easy trail crosses over multiple bridges and covers 4.2 km (2.6 miles) and climbs only 100 m (328 ft).

Insider Tip for Families: If you cannot make it to the destination then there is no need to worry. You end up at a small pool where the water gathers. There you can hear a waterfall but you cannot see it.

Rating in the book Hikes for Families: A Guide to the Canadian Rockies. Moderate.

Trailhead Address on Google: 105, New exit from Highway 1 to New Roundabout

Flowing Water Interpretive Trail

Flowing Water Interpretive Trail is a quick and easy trail 18 minutes East of Canmore. The loop starts from Willow Rock Campground and covers 2.5 km (1.5 miles) from the campground washrooms. Enjoy hiking past a flowing river, marsh, beaver dam, while soaking up views of Mount Yamnuska.

Insider Tip for Families: Enjoy the hike while camping at the first come first serve Willow Rock Campground.

Rating in the book Hikes for Families: A Guide to the Canadian Rockies. Moderate.

Trailhead Address on Google: 3WMR+4C Seebe, Kananaskis, AB

West Wind Pass

West Wind Pass is one of the more challenging hikes mentioned. It follows a steep 4.8 km (3 miles) trail up 390 metres (1280 ft) to a mountain pass. The loose rock and sometimes difficult to find trail make this more challenging. However, the views at the pass are worth the effort.

Insider Tip for Families: West Wind Pass is a challenging hike for families but some younger kids have completed the hike on their own two feet.

Rating in the book Hikes for Families: A Guide to the Canadian Rockies. Challenging.

Trailhead Address on Google: XMGH+GF Canmore, Alberta

Troll Falls

Troll Falls is a popular kid-friendly hike located near to the Kananaskis Village that follows a trail to a stunning waterfall in both summer and winter. If the 3.4 km (2.1 miles) and 35 metre (114 ft) trail to Troll Falls are too easy, consider hiking up the left side of the falls to discover more waterfalls further up the trail.

Insider Tip for Families: The trail is stroller friendly until the trail veers up for the last 10 m to the falls.

Rating in the book Hikes for Families: A Guide to the Canadian Rockies. Moderate.

Trailhead Address on Google: WVP5+RC Kananaskis, Bighorn No. 8, AB

Wedge Pond

Wedge Pond meanders around a pond along a forested trail with mountain views. Pack a lunch and enjoy one of the secluded picnic areas that are tucked in the trees after completing the easy 1 km (.6 miles) hiking loop.

Insider Tip for Families: Wedge Pond is a great place to bring a canoe and/or Stand up Paddle Board.

Rating in the book Hikes for Families: A Guide to the Canadian Rockies. Easy.

Trailhead Address on Google: VVF3+P4 Kananaskis Village, Alberta

Warspite Lake via Black Prince Cirque

Easy Hikes Canmore - Black Prince Cirque

Warspite Lake follows the Black Prince Cirque Trail up an old logging road before beginning the loop to Warspite Lake and Black Prince Cirque. In the spring, the lake is often more full but often dries up near the end of summer/early fall. The 4.3 km (2.7 miles) covers over 200 metres (656 feet) of elevation making it one of the more challenging trails of these easy hikes.

Insider Tip for Families: This hike is a fun snowshoe trail in the winter however make sure you do not pass Warspite Lake as the area is an avalanche risk zone.

Rating in the book Hikes for Families: A Guide to the Canadian Rockies. Challenging.

Trailhead Address on Google: 9526PQ3Q+V4

Ptarmigan Cirque Interpretive Trail

The trail is open from June 15th to November 30th. The 4.5 km (2.7 miles) and 250 metre (820 feet) climb up to Ptarmigan Cirque Interpretive Trail are worth the effort. This family-friendly hike begins with a challenging climb and finishes with an easy loop in the alpine.

Insider Tip for Families: If your family is new to hiking and has little kids then consider an easier trail like the Mount Everest Expedition Trail first.

Rating in the book Hikes for Families: A Guide to the Canadian Rockies. Challenging.

Trailhead Address on Google: 9527H2W7+CW

Elbow Lake Trail

Trail is open from June 15th to November 30th. The trail up to Elbow Lake covers 3 km (1.8 miles) and 153 metres (502 feet) of elevation on a wide, old gravel road. The trail offers only the occasional view of the mountains but ends at a stunning mountain lake.

Insider Tip for Families: Elbow Lake Trail is also a popular first backcountry hike destination for families!

Rating in the book Hikes for Families: A Guide to the Canadian Rockies. Challenging.

Trailhead Address on Google: 9526JXPG+6J

Mount Everest Expedition Trail

Mount Everest Expedition Trail was renamed after the first Canadians to summit Mount Everest. The 2.1 km (1.3 miles) loop climbs over 220 metres (721 feet) to spectacular views of Elk Pass and Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes.

Insider Tip for Families: After the hike, walk past the outhouses and enjoy lunch alongside Upper Kananaskis Lake.

Rating in the book Hikes for Families: A Guide to the Canadian Rockies. Moderate.

Trailhead Address on Google: 9526JVM6+82 – Trail starts from White Spruce Parking Lot

Forgetmenot Pond

Trail is open from May 15th – November 30th. Forgetmenot Pond is a stunning, easy, 1.2-mile stroller-friendly loop located in the Little Elbow Recreation Area that follows the pond’s shoreline and crosses two bridges. Pack a lunch and a change of clothes to enjoy a picnic at one of the picnic tables of benches to continue enjoying the surrounding mountain views.

Insider Tip for Families: Forgetmenot pond deepens quickly so use caution, pack a life jacket, and practice water safety.

Rating in the book Hikes for Families: A Guide to the Canadian Rockies. Easy.

Trailhead Address: Forgetmenot Pond, Alberta 66, Bragg Creek, AB