Alberta is one of the best regions in Canada for outdoor lovers. With beautiful spaces like Banff, Jasper and many others, Alberta is full of scenic trails and hiking spots for all levels of hikers.
Hiking in Alberta can be one of the best rewarding experiences with stunning mountain views and pristine alpine lakes.
With that said, here are the most stunning day hikes in Alberta, CA!
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5 of the most stunning day hikes in Alberta, CA
Crypt Lake Trail
If you are looking for a slight challenge with a great reward, then this hiking trail in Waterton Lakes National Park is definitely for you. The roundtrip hike is around 17.4km long and takes around 5-7 hours to complete.
The trailhead can be reached with a short boat ride across Waterton Lake. The trail is of moderate difficulty because of its length and a 690 elevation gain, plus a section in the middle of the trail that includes a ladder, tunnel and chains for you to cross it.
The trail itself is very scenic and crosses beautiful waterfalls, alpine lakes and stunning landscapes of Alberta’s wildlife.
Plain of Six Glaciers
Probably one of the most famous hikes in Banff National Park, however, it is also quite a challenging one and usually recommended for more experienced hikers rather than first-timers.
The Plain of Six Glaciers round trip hike is a bit under 14-km and should take around 8-9 hours to complete.
The hike itself is strenuous but the views are absolutely worth the effort. The trail begins along the shore of pristine Lake Louise and then ascends into the centre of the Mount Lefroy and Victoria Glacier area.
Wilcox Pass
Located in Jasper National Park, the Wilcox Pass hike is not the most difficult hike out there but it still requires quite a bit of preparation because of its steep start.
The trail is around 9km-long and takes around 3-4 hours to complete without stops.
The scenic trail will offer you stunning views of the Rockies, gorgeous meadows along the way and the Columbia Icefields.
Turtle Mountain
Turtle Mountain trail is located in Crowsnest Pass Area and is around 6.2 km round-trip with 780 m of elevation gain.
The hike is very challenging because of a steep 925 m (3,3034 ft) ascend. Plus, this is also the mountain responsible for the deadliest landslide back in 1903 which is known as the Frank Slide.
Today the mountain is closely monitored, however, scientists believe that it will slide again one day, so you might feel a bit of tension while hiking this summit.
Asides from that, the hike offers some of the most spectacular views of the Frank Slide and the Crowsnest Valley.
The Grizzly Ridge Hike
If you are looking for something more serene and idyllic, then this hike is just for you. The Grizzly Ridge hike begins at the same trailhead as the Pocaterra Ridge trail at the Highwood Pass parking area.
However, this hike is a bit easier and less crowded because there isn’t any real signage at the beginning. The round-trip hike is around 9km long with an elevation gain of 518 m, and additional 165m if you decide to hike the summit as well.
The trail is easily one of the most beautiful ones in Kananaskis Country but not many people know about it, so it is a real hidden gem. Plus, the trail isn’t very difficult, only the steep ascend to the summit requires a bit more energy and strength.
Packing list essentials
Whenever you are doing an easy 5km hike or a more challenging 17km trail, it is essential to pack the right gear and stay prepared, especially in the mountain area as the weather can be quite unpredictable.
So here are the must-have items that you should include into your packing list when going on a hiking adventure in Alberta.
Waterproof hiking shoes – always go for a comfortable pair of waterproof shoes. It depends on what kind of shoe you like – high ankle or low – but Decathlon has a great selection for both women and men.
Good backpack – 10-30L is all you really need for a day hike if you want to keep it light and easy. Decathlon has a wide selection of backpacks depending on what you are looking for, I personally would recommend these ones.
Sturdy hiking poles – hiking poles are great when hiking in the mountains, especially if you want to transfer some of the pressure from your knees during the hike. Invest in a good pair of collapsible poles like these ones that are perfect for travel.
Hat – trust me, you really don’t want to experience what it’s like to get sunstroke in the middle of your hike, it is not fun. So to avoid that, always take a hat with you. I really like this type of hat when hiking in warmer weather.
Extra socks – number one hack to avoid blisters is to change socks regularly when hiking longer distances. Always take a pair or two of extra socks and don’t forget to change them halfway through your hike to minimize the chances of getting painful blisters.
If you are looking for new hiking gear, Decathlon Canada is the best place to go. They offer quality items for an affordable price, so perfect for beginner hikers or even the most experienced ones as well.
*This article was kindly sponsored by Decathlon Canada but all opinions are my own.
