Kananaskis

At the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada lies Kananaskis. Located only an hour's drive away from Calgary, it is with no doubt, my favourite place on Earth. It is often underlooked by because of the neighbouring national parks like Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Revelstoke, etc. but as a local, Kananaskis is a shorter drive, less busy, requires no entrance fee, and of course holds majestic views. I've been hiking, biking, canoeing, swimming, camping and enjoying this piece of paradise since 2006, so I want to document the memories and share its beauty.

There are a countless number of trails, lakes, rivers and fields that I've been to and numerous ones which are on my bucket list, but here is a highlight and top destinations of my journeys in no particular order. I will update this post when the next spectacular adventure occurs. Feel free to share your tips and experiences as well. Without further ado, welcome to my playground!

1. Black Prince Cirque/Warspite Lake

Level: Easy-Moderate. Length: 4.2km loop. Time: 1 hour. Park name: Peter Lougheed

Black Prince Cirque is a popular trail that leads to a serene lake at the top because of its ease of access, making this a friendly hike for all ages. The trail is a very steady incline with periods of rocky and muddy sections, but it is a wide path and well maintained due to heavy foot traffic.

2. Black Shale Suspension Bridge

Level: Easy. Time: 30 minutes Park name: Peter Lougheed

The path up to the bridge is a breeze for the fit but again is a family-friendly hike, making this a hot spot destination. You definitely have to wait in line for your turn during peak hours and the bridge only can hold 20 people at a time. Definitely a thrill but not for those who are afraid of heights.

3. Karst Springs

Level: Moderate-Hard. Park name: Spray Valley

This journey serves major leg day workout vibes but with grand rewards. To this day, I still vividly remember the sound and sights of the water rushing down through the moss-covered rocks that is my favourite hue of green. The incline is steep towards the end, and the journey is long. Be sure to bring water, lunch, good shoes and a great company. The lake in the middle of the path also boosts morale for you to keep going up and a great spot to relax coming back down. A must-see for sure.

4. Rawson Lake

Level: Moderate. Length: 3.9km one-way Park name: Peter Lougheed

From the Upper Kananaskis Lake trailhead, a sharp incline hike takes you to Rawson Lake, a very popular and famous hike that has been captured by thousands of cameras and has become the face of many brochures about Kananaskis. The size and aesthetics of the scenery are very majestic indeed. Beware of bears and lookup trail reports from Alberta Parks beforehand.

5. Troll Falls

Level: Easy. Length: 1.7km one-way Time: 30 minutes Park name: Kananaskis Valley

Tucked away in a forest so neat you'd think it was drawn with a pencil, troll falls is a stroll you don't want to miss. The waterfall is indeed picturesque and at the right time of the year, can be enjoyed all by yourself without crowds.

6. Grassi Lake

Level: Easy. Length: 1.9km

Located in Canmore, Grassi Lake is a quintessential destination that all locals have most definitely been to. The path is steady uphill but is very manageable for all ages. The lake transcends you to a fairytale by its alluring shades and it feels like looking at a piece of artwork when you walk around the lake and sit down at a bench. Rainshower? No worries, it's a definite go for this hike.

7. Ribbon Falls

Level: Moderate-Hard. Length: 8.1km one-way. Park name: Spray Valley

Ever wanted to touch a waterfall and have a picnic by it and the same time? Sure, why not, as Ribbon falls await your visit. The trail incline is friendly, just the path to get to the falls is long. And if you are feeling adventurous, Ribbon Lake awaits you on higher grounds.

8. Elbow Lake

Level: Easy

Looking for a natural swimming pool that has fishing and camping sites? Elbow Lake has it all. The lake is similar in beauty to Lake Louise and also very popular as well. The climb up is steep but very short, and it is often used by horseback riders and bikers. It is a place to visit again and again, as the next two points of interest below all start at the Elbow Lake campground.

9. Rae Glacier

Level: Hard

Following the right side of Elbow Lake campground from the trail sign, through creeks and scrambling on many boulders, is Rae Glacier. I must admit (embarrassingly) that I did not stand on the glacier in person. Perhaps a regret, but with my old ankle injury and lack of proper shoes and gear, I only reached the first ice spot. However, the climb up was a great leg workout and the topography just takes your breath away.

10. Edworthy Falls

Level: Moderate

Towards the left side of Elbow Lake, the path takes you to past the gates of the provincial park boundary and into a hilly meadow. Follow the rocky road until you see a sign for a waterfall that has clearly been marked with rainbow stones. The way down to the waterfall is quite risky, but many enjoy bathing in the water and is very picture-worthy.

11. Lillian Lake and Galatea Lake

Distance: 15km round trip to Lillian, 2.5km round trip from Lillian to Galatea

I have been wanting to go to this one for quite some time and finally did it. Surprisingly, this was longer than the trail signs tell you and easier for me balancing going up and down, especially the last stretch to Galatea. Definitely tried, but well worth it and you will regret it if you miss the pristine blue glacier water in the lake at the end, and maybe dive in for an icy bath.

12. Buller Pass

Level: Easy. Distance: 3.5km one way

After stumbling upon the picture of this waterfall online, I knew I had to go see it for myself in person. An of course I could not resist taking a last dip of the summer and let me tell you, it was ice cold. Highly recommended hike, but the drive-in on the unpaved highway was too bouncy. Spray Lake nearby is a must stop by, reminds me of the sea.

13. Prairie View Trail

Level: Moderate. Time: 1.5hr one-way, 3 hrs out and back

This path is busy since the view at the peak is stunning and is not difficult to reach. The switchbacks make the trail enjoyable as you take on the forestry and the only small scrambling is at the very top. For me, it was harder coming down lol. Suitable for any time of the year, I highly recommend it.

Cheers,

Kelly

#Travel #Canada #Kananaskis #Outdoors #AdventureAwaits