Difficulty: Easy

Round trip: 5.5 km (variable)

Hiking Time: 1 - 2 hours (variable) 

Elevation Gain: negligible 

FitBit: approx 8,000 steps and 2 flights of stairs

Location: Canmore

TRAIL HEAD

Marked: Not marked, but there are maps along the path.

Facilities: There are public washrooms on main street.

How to get there: From Calgary drive west on HWY 1 to Canmore. Drive to Bridge Road and you'll see the boat launch parking lot on the West side of the bridge and South side of the road. Or you might find parking on the side of the road.

Click for directions in Google Maps.

Directional arrows just for reference, not mandatory at all!

HIKE DETAILS

This hike has no distinct start or finish, however starting along Bridge Road is likely the easiest for parking. Simply follow the path to your hearts content. The path and hiking time/distance outlined above is just the example of the route we took. There are maps at major junctions to help you along the way. You may even be so inclined to hop over to main street for a bite to eat, then get back to your trek.

The path is gravel and caters to many and in the early season of hiking if you don't want to battle the snow left in the mountains or have little tykes or pets this is a great option. You get a beautiful mountainous view and the feel of being in the great outdoors without even having to leave town!

Kid Friendly: yes
Dog Friendly: yes

Happy Hiking!

Difficulty: easy

Round trip: 3.8 km 

Hiking Time: approx 1 - 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 250 m

FitBit: approx 80 flights of stairs and 6,500 steps

Location: Canmore

TRAIL HEAD

Marked: Yes

Facilities: Yes

How to get there: From Canmore get onto Hwy 742 and pass the Canmore Nordic Center. Very soon after take a left following the Grassi Lakes sign and then a right into the Grassi Lakes Recreational area.

Click map for directions from Calgary

HIKE DETAILS

The trail head is found at the west side of the parking lot. When the path forks and identifies an easy route and a difficult route your choices include to the right, a wide, gravely path with an gentle and steady incline and no views one option. Or to the left, a narrower, rooty, scenic path with relatively no incline until the end where it takes to a short section of stairs and switchbacks.

It should be a no brainer that the 'difficult' trail is the one to take as it provides beautiful views of a waterfall, Canmore and the valley below, and it truly isn't that hard. Opt for this path at least one way or else you are missing out!

From either route the trail is self explanatory. Once you get to the lakes you can explore around. Most people end up congregating on the s/w side of the lakes where you'll very likely see some climbers scaling the rock walls. It's very fascinating to watch.

If you've made it that far and want more adventure don't stop there. At the end of the 2nd lake you'll see some stairs ascending and it's labeled 'climbers route'. It's steeper with stairs to assist, but it's a short distance. Follow this about another 15 min to Whiteman's Pond. You'll see many more climbers along the way. This pond can be accessed via the highway as well, but hiking to there means the view is well earned! When you are ready to depart, return the way you came.

EXTRA TIPS

-This is an extremely popular trail. If you want less congestion you'll have to go at times that are less optimal for the majority, such as early in the morning or rainy or cold days.

For extension to Whiteman's Pond: 

Round trip: add approx 1 km

Hiking Time: add approx 30 min 

Elevation Gain: add 33 m 

FitBit: approx 800 steps and add 11 flights of stairs.

Happy Hiking!

Difficulty: strenuous (due to elevation gain over a shorter distance and very rocky terrain)

Round trip:  6.5 km

Hiking Time: 3.5 - 4.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 595 m

FitBit: approx 13,700 steps and 195 flights of stairs

Location: Kananaskis

TRAIL HEAD

Marked: No

Facilities: No

How to get there: From Calgary drive west on HWY 1 to Canmore. Get onto the Smith-Dorrien (HWY 742) on which you will pass the Canmore Nordic Centre. At that point you can reset your odometer to 0 and at approximately 11.8 km from there you'll come to an obvious pullout on the right (w) side of the road where you'll park.

click to link to directions on Google Maps

HIKE DETAILS

There are no signs to mark your trail so you must walk south on the road about 90 m and go left at a rocky drainage on the east side of the road. Make your way across the rocky terrain approximately 120 m where by heading to your left (N) into the trees just a little bit and out of the drainage, you should find a narrow,  lightly boot beaten path. You should see ribbons in the trees and cairns marking your path as you go. Follow that path for about 15 min and when it appears to divide with a steep ascent on the left and a drop to your right, take the drop of about 1.5 m and head towards the drainage.

At this point your trail may seem to fade in and out and you will have to use your best judgment as to what is the safest way across the rocks. After approximately 30 min from the drop you will come to a point where the gorge narrows. There is a skinny path to bypass this on the right. It's rough and steep and the trees are tight, but it isn't too long. After about a 10 minute climb you will head back left into the drainage. Where again you are to choose your own best path to scramble safely up the rocks. You may see a boot beaten path to follow along the way, but it disappears and reappears as quickly as you can say 'look I think I found the path!'.

Hike almost all the way up the drainage until you see a very obvious path into the trees on your left. Note that there is a false path part way up on the left that also ascends into the bush, but if you start up that way and are asking yourself  'is this right?' because it's so tight in the trees, it's not right. You should be entering the treeline very close to the top and it's a no-brainer with switchbacks the rest of the way up. From there you are golden! Exit the tree line and just over the ridge reach your destination! Enjoy your reward for all your hard work and rest up your legs for the scramble back down.

EXTRA TIPS

-It would seem this trail has significant damage from the flood and is not what it used to be. For the majority of the hike the best path to take is not very discernible and impossible to describe in detail and thus you will be left to your own devices to make your way safely across the rocky gorge.
-Good hiking shoes are highly recommended for grip and ankle protection.
-Poles can be beneficial at times, but also a nuisance among the rocks or if you need to use your hands for balance.
-In the spring and early summer the water should be flowing and very refreshing before it dries up completely, but stay away on a hot day as the rocks will only radiate the heat back at you and there isn't much shade.
-This is not a kid friendly nor pet friendly trail.

Happy Hiking!