Ranking Banff’s top hikes for Canada’s exchange students.

By Aleksandra Wozniak, University of Calgary, Canada.

Although Calgary offers great sights, Banff and its surrounding areas are so close that you must visit them, whether for a day trip, camping or a weekend getaway! With many ways to get there (Brewster express bus or carpools being my favourites), you can make multiple trips to the region during your exchange.

However, the trouble with such a vast space is that you have so many choices on things to do you may sometimes be unable to choose just one! To help with the decision, here’s my ranking of some of the top hikes to complete.

1. Kananaskis Country (45-90 mins from Calgary)

Some picks:

Rawson Lake & Sarrail Ridge – starts at upper Kananaskis Lake and goes down to Rawson Lake, with a unique turquoise colour. The hike is about 7km long and of moderate difficulty. Sarrail Ridge can be a scramble to get up, but it offers beautiful alpine views from the top.

Ptarmigan Cirque and Rawah Ridge – this is the highest paved pass in Canada. The hike is relatively short, being only 4km and there’s a bunch of forest which turn golden in Autumn and offer aesthetic sights and photo opportunities. There are some winds in the area, and the hike is quite high altitude, but overall it’s a pretty easy hike.

Kanakaskis Village (also called Troll Falls) – this is a very short 3km hike which ends at a waterfall. It can be icy in winter, but in the summer it’s perfect for a stroll.

Overall, this is an especially attractive area as it’s far less crowded than Banff and has equally stunning views. The trails are often free or cheap (but you will need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass for Parking) and you will be able to see all sorts of landscapes – from lakes to mountains. The area also offers another type of variance – the hikes can be short, long, easy or hard. You have the choice to tailor the experience to your needs and wants.

2. Canmore & Area: (60 mins from Calgary)

Some picks:

Grassi Lakes Trail – this hike is split into two: an easier and a harder version. The easier route is about 4 km and very wide. It leads to many lakes and, therefore, is perfect for a quick stroll. The more difficult route is the same distance but steeper. It also has more rocky sections but leads to views of Spray Valley and Ha Ling Peak.

Ha Ling Peak – This hike is 5.8km one way with a 700m elevation gain. Hence, although it leads to amazing views, it’s also a harder hike. Some of the views include the Three Sisters and Mt. Rundle, so the effort is worth it! Note that you would have to start this hike quite early as it tends to get busy and warm up fast in the summer seasons.

Grotto Canyon – this is not entirely a hike, but more of a walk. It’s only 4.2 round trip and follows a creek bed, which means it does get wet and icy with the weather. It’s an easier hike, but can be dangerous if you’re not paying attention to your footing.

Overall, this area is very nice for diverse walks. There’s no National Park entry fee needed for most of the trails, and Canmore is an equally interesting village for you to explore after. It’s definitely one of the top contendor of Banff in regards to views!

3. Bragg Creek & Elbow Valley (45-60 mins from Calgary)

Some picks:

Prairie Mountains – short but steep hike being about 6km round trip with 700m elevation gain. The trail goes through a forest and comes out to the summit with views of the Rockies. This is a popular hike for the sunrise and sunset season.

Fullerton Loop – A very accessible 6.5km loop with very little elevation. Comes out to views of the Elbom River Valley and some distant mountains. It’s a very easy hike, or rather a walk, that’s popular with locals.

Jumpingpound Ridge Trail – Offers a mountain ridge experience without going into Kananaskis. It’s about 10km round trip and has some elecation gains, but it’s worth it for panoramic views of the valleys. This is a moderate difficulty trip that is often less crowded.

This area is often chosen over others for its locality. Being so close to Calgary, it’s far more accessible for students with a strict timeline.

In the spring or fall it’s a beautiful walk, especially with the higher elevations. You wil need a Kananaskis Pass and the areas can get muddy or snowy – being prone to people slipping.

4. Badlands: (90 mins from Calgary)

Some picks:

Horsethief Canyon & Hoohoo Trail – This isn’t a single trail but an area around the Horsethief Canyon. It has many paths varying in length. There’s the Royal Tyrrell Museum nearby that you can visit as an additional perk.

The whole area has a very different geology and vibe. It’s a fascinating contrast to the mountains, but it’s better to go as a full day or weekend trip to ensure you explore everything it has to offer!

5. Lake Louise Lakeshore: (60-75mins from Calgary)

This is a fairly easy hike around the lake. It’s flat and about a 4km round trip. However, it can be very busy and requires transportation to the lake, as parking is almost impossible!

If you want something more challenging, you can try the Beehive hikes, which go up and around Lake Louise, or the Lake Agnes Tea Houses!

6. Johnston Canyon: (90mins from Calgary)

This is an amazing canyon that you can walk through to admire waterfalls. It’s an easy 5km round trip to the upper falls area. However, it is one of Canada’s busiest trails and so you have to either go early, late or completely off season. The trail can get icy in colder months or muddy in some of the warmer ones. Make sure you choose the right time to go!

7. Morraine Lake Lakeshore/Rockpile: (about 90mins from Calgary)

This is an iconic mountain vista in Canada. The Hike is really easy, taking about 2 hours to complete, and rewarding you with a view of Lake Moraine and the Ten Peaks. However, it’s only accessible via a shuttle as the parking is closed to personal vehicles. Due to high demand, the prices can be a bit high!

8. Sulphur Mountains: (150 mins from Calgary)

By completing this hike, you get a 360 bird’s eye view of Banff, but the hike is very difficult and long. It may be better, therefore, to camp in the region and complete it over 2 days! Alternatively, you can get a gondola one way – a student discount is available for this!

You can even walk up to the Sulphuric Skyline and finish off the day at the Miette Hot Springs! Although keep in mind that this is an incredibly hard hike!

9. Jasper National Park

Some picks:

Valley of the Five Lakes – includes 5 lakes varying in colour and linked by forest trails. The hike itself is quite easy and short, ranging from 4.5km to 9km depending on which loop you complete. There’s very little elevation gain as well. Another bonus is that it’s common to see moose in the area.

Maligne Canyon – this is a deep limestone canyon with many different waterfalls and pools. The views from the bridges are also spectacular. The hike is pretty easy and short – the longest loop being only 7km. I would recommend this hike in the winter, when the waterfalls are frozen.
- If you want panoramic views of the Maligne Lake instead, you can complete a harder hike called the Bald Hills!

Skyline trail – this is a harder hike, but most of it is above treeline and offers some of Canada’s best views. The trail itself will take 2-4 days to complete, but you can always just do a small part of it if you’re running short on time!

Whichever hike you decide to choose, the experience will be rewarding! Make sure you bring all the required equipment, snacks and water, and most of all – enjoy the experience and take lots of pictures!