31 Best Sights in Canmore and Kananaskis Country, Alberta

Explore the Highwood Meadows Interpretive Trail before you cross Highway 40 to begin the Ptarmigan Cirque trail. The trail leads to a high alpine meadow with incredible views of the surrounding mountains. This hike is popular with wildflower enthusiasts, especially in early to mid-July when glacier lilies blossom shortly after the snow melts. In late July to early August, more than 80 different species of wildflowers might be seen in the meadows. The hike is also popular in autumn when the larch trees turn golden before dropping their needles. The 4.5-km (2.8-mile) trail has 225 meters (700 feet) of elevation gain. Moderate.

Just south of Ptarmigan Cirque, this 5-km (3.1-mile) loop trail actually has more larches than its better-known neighbor. The trail begins by passing through a forested area and then opens up into a wide meadow. There's 274 meters (899 feet) of elevation gain, but it's a relatively easy hike. Easy.

This easy 4.2-km (2.6-mile) interpretive loop trail climbs 90 meters (300 feet) to beautiful Warspite Lake through forested and open areas. The first section of the trail follows an old logging road. Alberta Parks has created a four-page interpretive brochure for this trail, which you can pick up at any of the visitor centers in the park. Numbered posts along the trail correspond to numbers in the booklet. Easy.

This 1-km (0.6-mile) loop trail leads to a dramatic suspension bridge over Blackshale Creek. This is a section of the High Rockies Trail, which is a part of the Trans-Canada Trail. You can do a longer hike along the trail or just do a short loop and take in the bridge and its wonderful views. The trail is best used from April to October and has an elevation gain of 53 meters (174 feet). Dogs are also able to use this trail if they are kept on a leash. Easy.

This 4.2-km (2.6-mile) one-way paved trail stretches from the Bow Valley Campground and information center through forest and rolling terrain with good views of meadows along the way. There are short steep hills at either end of the trail making it less accommodating for wheelchairs. Easy.

Winding through the forest, this 7.4-km (4.6-mile) one-way trail leads to two shallow bodies of water known as the Burstall Lakes. From there, you cross what is known as the Willow Flats, an area with many streams, before climbing through forest and then across a picturesque valley to a cirque (an amphitheater-like valley formed by glacial erosion). The views of the remote southern end of Banff National Park at the end of this challenging hike are worth the effort. There's 470 meters (1,550 feet) of elevation gain. Moderate. 

This moderate/difficult 13-km (8-mile) hike takes hikers to the top of Cox Hill and features beautiful wildflowers and fantastic panoramic views. This trail is not highly traveled, fairly steep at the start, and you may have the summit all to yourself---make sure you don't stop at the false summit. By continuing along the trail through a treed section, you will arrive at the true summit. The best time to hike this trail is June through October. Difficult

This pretty lake is a good spot for a picnic hike. The 1.4-km (0.9-mile) one-way trail begins at the Elbow Pass Day Use Area and follows a wide road. If you're hiking, keep an eye out for mountain bikers and horses, as both are allowed to use the trail. There is a 120-meter (400-foot) elevation gain. Easy.

This 2.0-km (1.2-mile) round-trip trail passes through the montane forest above the Kananaskis River and has nice views of the mountains, the Kananaskis River, and a beaver pond. Interpretive signs describe the water cycle. Easy.

This moderate 6.9-km (4.3-mile) heavily trafficked loop provides some great views. Once you're on the loop, go clockwise to enjoy a gradual incline and a slightly steeper descent. Stop frequently on the descent---elevation gain is 239 meters (784 feet)---to notice some of the amazing views. The trail does pass through some alpine farming pastures and cattle may be seen, but the wildflowers can be stunning if you're there at the right time. Moderate

You'll need to pre-arrange transportation for this 19.3-km (12-mile) hike, but it gives you the unique opportunity to hike or mountain bike from Kananaskis to the Banff townsite. The trail, which begins at the north end of Spray Valley Provincial Park and follows Goat Creek for the first 9 km (5.6 miles) to its confluence with the Spray River, is relatively easy with just 150 meters (500 feet) of elevation gain. From there it follows the Spray River all the way to the grounds of the beautiful Fairmont Banff Springs hotel. Moderate.

A 4.3-km (2.7-mile) round-trip trek leads to these two small blue-green lakes, above which is a popular rock-climbing area. You can choose between an easy route through the forest or a more difficult route, which passes a waterfall and has nice views of Canmore and the Bow Valley. The trailhead is about 9 km (5.6 miles) southwest of Canmore.

Situated southeast of downtown Canmore, Grotto Canyon is accessible only on foot. A waterfall and ancient pictographs are among the highlights of the popular 4.2-km (2.6-mile) round-trip hike to reach the steep canyon. Wear microspikes if you do the hike in winter.

This peak was named in honor of a Chinese cook who won a bet that he couldn't hike to the top and make it back to town in under six hours. To this day, some people still run the steep 7.4-km (4.6-mile) trail with 748 meter (2,454-foot) elevation gain. Whether you walk or run, the views from the top are outstanding.

This easy 4-km (2.5-mile) round-trip hike is a nice walk through a gorgeous canyon along a creek with a waterfall at the end.

Summit three mountains on this hike that takes you to the summit of Heart Mountain and then along a ridge walk to summit two more Canadian Rockies peaks. It's a challenging hike with a total hiking distance of 10.3 km (6.4 miles) and an elevation gain of 940 meters (3,084 feet).

One of the premier mountain biking and hiking trails in Kananaskis Country and an important part of the Canada-wide Trans-Canada Trail, this 80-km (50-mile) one-way trail can be cycled or hiked in its entirety or enjoyed in smaller sections. The northern end of the trail begins at the Goat Creek Day Use Area in Spray Valley Provincial Park, 1-km (0.6-mile) from the Banff National Park Boundary. If you want to experience part of the trail, one of the highlights is the Blackshale Suspension Bridge, which is a 1-km (0.6-mile) hike and offers spectacular views and photos. Another nice section, the 6.9-km (4.3-mile) stretch between Spray Lakes Day Use Area and the Buller Pass Trail, has beautiful lake views. At the Driftwood Day Use area, the trail crosses Hwy. 742 (the Smith-Dorrien/Spray Trail) and continues south beyond the Sawmill Day Use area in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park before crossing back across Hwy. 742 at the Pocaterra Dam, which is north of the Peninsula Day Use Area at the north end of Lower Kananaskis Lake. The section of this trail that passes through Peter Lougheed Provincial Park traverses diverse landscapes with incredible views. It's common to see bear, moose, and coyotes along the trail. Moderate.

Interpretive signs on this easy 2.5-km (1.6-mile) trail describe river ecology and mammals of the area. Hikers will walk along a small section of the Little Elbow River just before it empties into the Elbow River. Easy.

This 1.3-km (0.8-mile) interpretive trail encircles a wetland that is fed by warm underground springs. There's an observation deck to observe birds and plants in the wetland and interpretive signs that describe the unique environment. Easy.

You'll find the trailhead for this 1.5-km (0.9-mile) interpretive loop trail at the visitor center. It's great for children and has views of forest, meadows, and seasonal wildflowers. Easy.  

A 7.4-km (4.6-mile) round-trip hike will take you through the forest to a fire lookout with amazing views of Mount Kidd. Be careful if you do this hike in winter as it is in an avalanche area and proper safety measures must be taken. There's a 734-meter (2,408-foot) elevation gain. Moderate.

This easy to moderate hike is great for families and is accessible in all seasons, although April through November is best. The hike is 3.6 km (2.2 miles) return with an elevation gain of 168 meters (546 feet); some great views of Moose Mountain can be seen to the south. Easy

This 2.2-km (1.4-mile) interpretive trail is an easy hike that passes through a mixed forest of lodgepole pine, white spruce, aspen, and poplar trees. After looping around, the trail takes you downstream along the Elbow River back to the campground. Easy.

The four lakes at the southern end of Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park are popular with anglers. They can be reached via a 4.2-km (2.6-mile) trail that passes through a forested area before it drops down to the lakes. There is a 450-meter (1,475-foot) elevation gain. Moderate.

This 3.9-km (2.4 mile) boardwalk runs alongside Policeman’s Creek and passes ponds and forested areas with views of the mountains. It's a good place to see ducks, birds, and other wildlife and there are plenty of spots with pretty views.

Often called the Barrier Fire Lookout trail, the Prairie View Trail switchbacks uphill on an old forestry road to a spectacular viewpoint looking south over Barrier Lake. From this viewpoint, you can either continue to the Barrier Fire Lookout on the north side of the ridge or descend along Jewel Pass. The Jewel Pass trail goes alongside Jewell Creek and passes Jewell Falls before ending on the shores of Barrier Lake. It's 9.8-km (6.1-miles) round-trip with a 475-meter (1,558-foot) elevation gain to the McConnell Ridge viewpoint and another 1.4-km (0.9-miles) round-trip with an 80-meter (262-foot) elevation gain to the Barrier Fire Lookout. If you add Jewell Pass, it's 14 km (8.7 miles) round-trip. Moderate.

This 3.9-km (2.4-mile) one-way trail leads to a beautiful high alpine lake surrounded by mountain peaks and alpine meadows; it's one of the prettiest spots in Kananaskis Country. The trail goes along Upper Kananaskis Lake and through a pine forest to Rawson Lake. It's a popular hiking trail in summer and a snowshoeing trail in winter. There is 320 meters (1,050 feet) of elevation gain, and because of the high elevation, it's possible to encounter snow on this trail into mid-July. Moderate.

This moderate 11.6-km (7.2-mile) hike begins on the north side of Hwy. 66. After hiking up about 150 meters (492 feet), you merge onto the Elbow Valley Trail. After about 1 km (0.6 mile), you will find the sign for the start of the Sulphur Springs Trail. Follow the Sulphur Springs Trail for about 4 km (2½ miles) and enjoy great views of Prairie Mountain and Nihahi Ridge. As the trail descends, the trail merges with the Elbow River Trail and the Sulphur Springs Trail ends and the Riverview Trail begins. The Riverview Trail follows along the Elbow River and provides great views into the gorges of the river. As you follow the river, the trail will take you to Paddy’s Flat campground. From the campground, you can either walk the roadway or continue along the Elbow River back to the day-use area. This trail has 416 meters (1365 feet) of elevation gain. Moderate.

This short, family-friendly trail goes through an aspen forest and leads to a lovely waterfall. It's popular in both summer and winter and can be reached by hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, or skiing. It's 1.7 km (1.1 mile) one-way with very little elevation gain. Easy.

This 3.7-km (2.3-mile) trail is used for hiking and mountain biking in summer and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. The trail follows an old exploration road to a junction. Visitors who wish to see the lake, which is popular with trout anglers, must then follow a short, steep 200-meter (656-foot) trail to the muddy lakeshore. If you continue 900 meters (0.6 mile), you'll come to a lovely spring that gushes out of a wall of rock on Mount Shark. Moderate.