The best short hikes near Calgary: less than 4 kilometres round trip and only 30-60 minutes drive from Calgary!
Looking for the best short hikes near Calgary? These hiking trails are within an hour’s drive from Calgary and are four kilometres or less return; perfect for when you are hiking with little ones or are short on time. All of these short hikes have minimal elevation gain and are suitable for kids of all ages. Enjoy the best short hikes near Calgary and let me know which one is your favorite!
1. Tiger Lily Loop, Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park
Tiger Lily Loop is the perfect length for toddlers and preschoolers. Take the short detour to the lookout before you start, then head through an aspen grove into the ravine. Look for geocaches along the way, then make your way to the Park Office at the top of the hill for sweeping views of foothills and mountains, or try more trails.
- Distance: 1.4 km (Note: Bikes are not permitted on the Tiger Lily Trail, but are permitted on most other trails)
- Geocaching: Yes
- Stroller friendly? No due to a barrier at the trailhead (though we were able to lift our single Chariot over it).
- Driving distance from Calgary: 33 km
Read more about Glenbow Ranch in our story: Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park – So Close to Calgary, So Much to Do!
Going further: There are several options for a longer hike or bike ride if you wish – we like heading down to the river, the old Glenbow Store (no longer open for business), or the lookouts on Yodel Loop. History buffs will enjoy learning about local history and viewing the old store, sheds and corrals. Picnic on the site of an old home with brick fireplaces and chimneys still intact behind the park office.
Know Before You Go: Check for trail closures as the park is still a working ranch and certain areas are periodically closed to the public.
2. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park
Big Hill Springs is the perfect place to cool off on a hot day! Splash in the creek and little waterfall, then follow the trail markers around the short, forested loops. Please stay on the trail to preserve plant life; this popular area has been affected by trail braiding. See the Alberta Parks – Big Hill Springs – Trail Map here.
- Distance: North Viewpoint Loop is 700 m, South Viewpoint Loop is 420 m.
- Geocaching: Yes
- Stroller friendly? No
- Driving distance from Calgary: 42 km
3. Troll Falls & Hay Meadow, Kananaskis
Troll Falls is a fun and scenic trail that features an aspen grove and waterfall. I recommend making a loop with Hay Meadow, for views of the Kananaskis River and surrounding peaks; a nice change after the forested Troll Falls trail. In fall, expect to see volunteers in Hay Meadow tracking the Golden Eagle Migration. In winter, wear ice cleats or snowshoes depending on trail conditions and use caution near the falls (there is risk of falling ice and rocks).
- Distance: 3.1 km
- Geocaching: Yes
- Stroller friendly? Yes, but the last 100 metres is very bumpy. Sports stroller recommended.
- Driving distance from Calgary: 86 km
Going Further: There are two more waterfalls past Troll Falls on the Upper Falls Trail. For more details, see our story Marmot Creek’s Waterfalls: Troll Falls, Marmot Falls, and Upper Falls.
4. Bow Valley Provincial Park
Bow Valley Provincial Park has several short and beautiful interpretive trails (1-3 km round trip) to choose from. Start with a picnic at Middle Lake, then hike and geocache around the lake. Two other great short hikes in the park are Many Springs and Flowing Water Trail. For more information please read: Family Fun in Bow Valley Provincial Park.
- Distance: 1-3 km
- Geocaching: Yes.
- Stroller friendly? Montane, Middle Lake, and the paved Bow Valley bike path are doable with a sports stroller (be prepared for rooty sections), but Flowing Waters is not (has stairs and very narrow sections). Many Springs Trail is best done with a carrier as the boardwalk is sometimes flooded.
- Driving distance from Calgary: 97 km
Know before you go: There is an annual road closure west of Middle Lake from mid-October to April 30. (You can bike the road when it is closed, however, to access trails beyond the winter gate.)
5. Heart Creek, Bow Valley Wildlands
Heart Creek Trail is fun and easy hike with eleven bridges, views of Heart Mountain, and a waterfall. Mid-summer is great for wildflower viewing (look for wood lilies!) and playing in the creek; while autumn is a nice time to enjoy fall colors. In winter and early spring, you can watch ice climbers on the frozen waterfall (it’s a barely noticeable trickle in summer).
Hike 750 metres east over a hill, then turn right to head up Heart Creek. At the marked junction, stay right to continue on Heart Creek Interpretive Trail. Ten bridges criss-cross the creek (plus one near the trailhead makes 11!). About 1.9 km from the parking lot, there is a weeping wall that becomes a large frozen waterfall in winter (If you’re lucky you’ll see ice climbers in action.). A bench at the end of the canyon marks the end of the trail. Return the way you came.
Download the Alberta Parks Heart Creek Interpretive Trail Brochure before you go to learn about how the canyon formed and what animals and plants call it home.
- Distance: 4.2 km return
- Elevation gain: 160 m
- Geocaching: Yes
- Stroller friendly? No
- Driving distance from Calgary: 102 km
6. Bow Valley Bunker (aka Heart Creek Bunker), Bow Valley Wildlands
Hike to large manmade caverns that were built during the Cold War to house sensitive documents. While the project was abandoned before “bunker” could be used, the caverns remain. Note that the Bow Valley Bunker is located on an infrequent avalanche path, so you should not attempt this trail if there is snow on the mountain. For more information, read my story: The Bow Valley Bunker.
- Distance: 3.8 km return
- Geocaching: Yes
- Stroller friendly? No
- Driving distance from Calgary: 102 km
7. Grassi Lakes, Canmore
2023 Update: Grassi Lakes is closed until summer. See Alberta Parks Advisories for details.
With two azure lakes and a waterfall, Grassi Lakes is one of the best short hikes in Canmore – and one of the busiest. Go midweek during the summer to avoid the crowds, or in the offseason. There is an “easy” and “more difficult” route to the lakes. The easy route is a forested, stroller-friendly, old road. The more difficult route passes a pretty waterfall, but has stairs, uneven terrain, and narrow sections.
- Distance: 3.8 km
- Geocaching: Yes
- Sports stroller friendly? Easy trail – yes. Difficult trail – no.
- Driving distance from Calgary: 108 km
For more information, please read our story: Hiking Grassi Lakes Trail, Canmore.
Note: The “difficult” trail to Grassi Lakes is closed in winter conditions due to ice flows across the trail, but the easy trail is open year round.
8. Widow Maker Trail
Despite the ominous name, Widow Maker Trail is a fun, short trail near Barrier Lake that takes you along the Kananaskis River. Hike down to Canoe Meadows and watch river surfers and kayaks play in the rapids, have a little picnic, and return the way you came. While you’re in the area, visit Barrier Lake or the Colonel’s Cabin and Barrier Lake Forestry Trails.
- Distance: 1.2 km to Kananaskis Visitor Information Centre, 2 km to Canoe Meadows, 2.5 km to end of Canoe Meadows Group Camp.
- Elevation gain: 120 metres
- Sports stroller friendly? No (there are some stairs)
- Driving distance from Calgary: 82 km
For more information, please read our story: Widow Maker Trail, Kananaskis.
Even More Great Short Hikes
For more great short hikes, see:
Know Before You Go
A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required to park in Kananaskis. Purchase your pass online from the Government of Alberta.
You are in bear territory! Learn how to stay safe in bear country with our Bear Safety Tips for Hikers and keep your dog on a leash (It’s a ticketable offense to have dogs offleash in provincial parks).
What to Bring
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Good hiking boots and a windproof/waterproof shell are must-haves. Trekking poles are recommended for descents, especially if you have a heavy pack. If you’re hiking with toddlers and preschoolers, we strongly recommend a good-quality child carrier backpack like the Deuter Kid Comfort Carrier (max capacity: 22 kg).
You should also carry The Ten Essentials including: water, extra food, extra clothes, a headlamp, a GPS/compass and map of the area, bug spray (this one contains 20% icaridin and will repel ticks), sunscreen (this one is safe for babies), and bear spray. Carry bear spray in a Frontiersman Bear Spray Holster (attaches to your backpack or belt), or Scat Belt.
In winter conditions, traction devices such as Kahtoola Microspikes (Available from Amazon, MEC, and Breathe Outdoors), or Hillsound Trail Crampons (Available at Amazon, Hillsound, and Sport Chek) are recommended.
More Great Short Hikes
- The Best Short Hikes in Kananaskis
- The Best Short Hikes in Banff
- Urban hiking trails in NW Calgary
- West Wind Pass Trail, Kananaskis
- Ptarmigan Cirque
- Grotto Canyon Ice Walk
- Jura Canyon
4 comments
We are truly lucky to have so many great choices! Which are your favorite short hikes south of Calgary?
You're welcome!!! Enjoy! 🙂
If you want a longer hike, several of these routes can be combined into a morning and after lunch option. We are really lucky in this area. There are many more options that could be added to this list, like Brown Lowry and others. Enjoyed your picture So!
thank-you!
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