Hiking Grassi Lakes Trail, Canmore

Grassi Lakes is a popular short hike near Canmore with two azure lakes, a waterfall, and ancient pictographs.

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Hiking to Grassi Lakes: Choose Your Own Adventure

There are two ways to get to Grassi Lakes: the “easy” way (Grassi Lakes Upper), and the “more difficult” way (Grassi Lakes Interpretive). Look for the marked junction about 100 metres from the trailhead. The Grassi Lakes Upper (easy) trail follows an old dirt road through forest, is sports stroller friendly, and hikeable year-round.

Grassi Lakes Interpretive (more difficult) is the more scenic route which passes a beautiful waterfall. This trail has stairs and is subject to ice flows, so it is NOT stroller-friendly, and closed in winter conditions. During the summer, you can make a nice loop by taking the difficult trail to the lakes and returning via the easy trail. Why not the other way around? It’s much easier (and safer) to run back down the road than down stairs!

Grassi Lakes Interpretive (More Difficult) Trail & Waterfall

The small, but stunning Grassi Lakes are named for Lawrence Grassi, a coal miner turned master trailbuilder and mountain guide, who was a resident of Canmore. There is a plaque dedicated to Mr. Grassi at the lakes, as well as several benches and natural seating areas (large, flat rocks). As we watch rock climbers on the cliff face, it’s hard to believe they’re climbing a fossil reef formed in the Late Devonian period, 60-419.2 million years ago.

At the far end of the second lake, you can climb the stairs for a bird’s-eye view of the lakes and check out some ancient pictographs. This area is prone to to rockfall, however, so proceed at your own risk.

The trail at the far side of the lake takes you to the pictographs, but note that there is significant risk of rockfall there.

Allow about two hours to enjoy the natural splendor of Grassi Lakes. We enjoy hiking to Grassi Lakes in all seasons.

Grassi Lakes Upper (Easy) Trail At a Glance

Distance: 1.9 kilometres
Elevation Gain: 125 metres
Difficulty: Easy. It is all uphill to Grassi Lakes, but the trail isn’t too steep.
Directions and parking: Grassi Lakes Parking Lot (click link for Google Maps)

Grassi Lakes Interpretive (More Difficult) Trail at a Glance

SEASONAL CLOSURE: This trail is closed during winter conditions due to dangerous ice flows across the trail.

Distance: 1.9 km one way
Elevation Gain: 125 metres
Difficulty: Easy-to-moderate. Some rocky sections. Little kids may need assistance on the stairs as the steps are pretty high. ***Rocks near the falls are extremely slippery. Caution advised.***
Directions and parking: Grassi Lakes Parking Lot (click link for Google Maps)

Waterfall near Grassi Lakes Interpretive Trail, Canmore — Waterfall beside Grassi Lakes Interpretive Trail

Know Before You Go

There is significant risk of rock fall if you continue beyond the second lake, or around the lake (below the cliffs), especially when there are rock climbers on the cliff face, or during periods of melting and freezing.

A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required to park in Kananaskis. Purchase your pass online at https://www.alberta.ca/kananaskis-conservation-pass.aspx.
You are in bear territory. Review our Bear Safety Tips and keep bear spray accessible.
Dogs must be kept on a leash.
Parking can be an issue on summer weekends. Arrive early or later in the day to find a parking spot. As of 2023, there is an overflow lot at the turnoff to Grassi Lakes. If the main lot is full, park in the overflow lot and NOT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD for everyone’s safety.

What to Bring

osprey tempest 30 l backpack — **Osprey Tempest 30L Backpack**

helly-hansen-verglas-3l-shell — **Osprey Tempest 30L Backpack**

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Good hiking boots, a down hoody/fleece, toque, gloves, and windproof/waterproof shell are recommended year round.

You should also carry The Ten Essentials including: water, extra food, extra clothes, a headlamp, a GPS / satellite communicator / compass, and map of the area, sunscreen (this one is safe for babies), bug spray (this deet-free one contains 20% icaridin and will repel ticks), and bear spray. Carry bear spray in a Frontiersman Bear Spray Holster or Scat Belt.

For winter conditions, we recommend traction devices such as Kahtoola Microspikes (Available from Amazon and MEC), or Hillsound Trail Crampons (Available at Amazon and Sport Chek) and trekking poles with snow baskets. Base layers, insulated winter boots, a down jacket and windproof/waterproof shell (or insulated ski jacket/parka), gloves or mittens, and toque are cold weather must-haves.

See our fall/winter hiking gear guide for product recommendations.
For snowshoeing, see our Snowshoeing Gear List.