3 Great (But Easy) Hikes in the Alberta Rockies - By: Jonathan Meier

In a previous post I covered the best hiking areas near Calgary. But, as I alluded to in that post, there is some even better hiking to be found a short drive to the west in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. I've put together this short list of relatively easy hikes that culminate in some great payoffs in terms of views, access, and relative awesomeness.

Mt. Yamnuska: This mountain is the place where modern sport climbing was born. The south facing aspect is a massive cliff that has given birth to generations of some of the best climbers the world has ever seen. The peak gives those who attain it an unforgettable view of the Albertan Prairieland and the foothills and ramparts of the Rocky Mountains. Fortunately, you don't have to be a pro climber to get to the top. The back side of the mountain is actually a pretty short and easy scramble. The view from the top is simply stunning, and makes for a great reward for your labors. Just keep in mind, this being a mountain, the hike is more difficult than any of the others listed here, but in terms of accessible peaks, this one is easier than most.

North and South Kananaskis Lakes: The drive to get ther is a bit long, two hours, but you can use the parking lot there as a base for a large variety of hikes. For a simple, easy hike you can walk the circuit of the lakeshores, and if you want something more complicated and challenging you can take on either the North or South Kananaskis Passes, or venture on a mission to get to Hidden lake, or even Aster Lake and the foot of the Mangin Glacier. For maps, I highly recommend getting the Kananaskis Lakes map by GemTrek.

Heart Mountain/Quaite Valley: Located just east of the small town of Exshaw,about an hour's drive west of Calgary, Heart Mountain is one of the most approachable and least technical mountains you can scramble up. Or, if you fancy a flatter excursion, the neighbouring Quaite valley offers up a short and sweet venture into the foothills of the Rockies. The trail can be taken all the way to Barrier Lake, and offers a surprising number of variations. Quaite valley also has a small, but pretty, campground that is ideally placed 3kms up the trail. Being so close to the road makes it a very easy hike in, but it's still far enough away that there's no noise from the traffic. Maps of the area should be available at any hiking store.

About the Author

Jonathan Meier is the Marketing and Social Media Coordinator for O Hotel Suites, the premiere property manager for furnished apartments and long term stays in Calgary, Alberta. When he's not at the Hotel dealing with the daily dose of craziness he's usually out in the mountains near his hometown of Canmore where he can be seen climbing, skiing, or doing anything at all that doesn't involve computers.

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