Are you looking for a scenic hiking destination rich in wildlife and wild flowers where you can hike in solitude? Look no further than Kananaskis! Kananaskis is a lesser known provincial park just outside the much busier and much more famous Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. It is part of the same Rocky Mountain range as in Banff and is a favourite hiking destination of many locals who have even given it the nickname “K-Country”. It is also on route for the bi-annual golden eagle migration, so keep your eyes open! Few tourists have even heard of Kananaskis which gives it its solitude – it’s not uncommon to not see any other hikers on the trail! If that’s a bit too much solitude for you, I’ve also included two of the more popular trails in Kananaskis where there will likely be other people, just not swarms of them. Below are three great scenic hikes in Kananaskis at varying levels of difficulty.

Upper Kananaskis Lake - This 15.2 km (9.94 miles) circuit around Upper Kananaskis Lake provides spectacular views of the lake, Mt. Indefatigable and a tall ridge. For someone who doesn’t want to do a lot of elevation, this is the perfect choice at only 60 m (196 ft). There are very few scenic hikes that reward you with scenery this spectacular for such minimal elevation gain. It has an “easy” rating, assuming that you have some level of physical fitness. Expect the entire hiking trail, which is a circuit to take between 4 to 7 hours, depending on your speed and how often you stop to take pictures. There will likely be many cars in the parking lot, but don’t let this deter you. There are picnic spots near the parking lot and many people do not venture further than their picnic spot. People also park here to hike Mt. Indefatigable and Rawson Lake, whose hiking trails start at different points along Upper Kananaskis Lake. I’ve parked in overflow parking and then only surprisingly seen a few people on the hiking trail. Check the trail report before you go as this trail is occasionally closed due to grizzly bear activity. You can also stop at the Peter Lougheed Visitor Information Centre for more information on bear activity.  Be on the watch for Canadian wildlife as well, especially bighorn sheep just before the turn off on highway 40. 

Chester Lake - This 9 km (5.6 mile) return trip is the most popular scenic hike in Kananaskis for good reason. In approximately an hour and half of hiking a gradual grade (310 m or 1017 feet of elevation gain), you will be rewarded with an open meadow engulfed in peaks, most notably Mt. Chester , Mt. Galatea and The Fortress. You won’t be alone, but will likely be able to find a quiet place along the lake shore to stop for lunch. Seeking more solitude and still have some energy left? Venture along the west side of the lake up a hiking trail for approximately 10 minutes to the Elephant Rocks, large rock formations that appear to have dropped from the sky and are a favourite lunch spot among locals! Still have energy to spare? Continue on to Three Lakes Valley and you may soon find yourself in the company of mountain goats who are frequently spotted along the trail. For Chester Lake alone return time is approximately 3 to 4 hours and at such a short trip with gradual elevation, this scenic hike is rated as “easy to moderate” due to the moderate elevation gain. Despite the quick trip the views do not disappoint, the meadow near the lake is one of the most scenic in the Canadian Rockies! Check the trail report before you go as this hiking trail is occasionally closed due to grizzly bear activity, mainly a non-aggressive resident female grizzly. You may not see her, but may see signs of her activity - dug up roots along the pathway in the meadows. You can also stop at the Peter Lougheed Visitor Information Centre for more information on bear activity. This hike is one of 55 great scenic hikes featured in Where Locals Hike in the Canadian Rockies.

Grizzly Peak – This is one of my all time favourite scenic hikes, with awe inspiring views from almost the very start of the hiking trail until you reach the peak. Technically a scramble (meaning you have to use your hands and feet), it is more of a hike. If you want solitude, this is the hiking trail for you! There is no sign marking the trail head nor is Grizzly Peak noted on any maps, which deters many hikers. However if you follow the instructions in the book below, you will have no problem finding the trail head. Although you will likely find solitude on this hike, you will not be alone – bighorn sheep frequent the trail. If you go in the spring, you may also be fortunate enough to see new borns, which are beyond cute. We saw over 20 along the way when we went in June. As the name suggests, the sprawling meadow is perfect grizzly bear habitat. Although I’ve never seen one here, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for them and make lots of noise. At 900 m (2953 feet) of elevation gain you will have to work to reach the top but the spectacular views and wild flowers growing between the rocks near the top will keep you motivated. Due to the elevation gain, this hike is rated as “difficult.” You can complete it in approximately 4 to 6 hours so if you are physically fit, it should present no problems. You can try stopping at the Visitor Information Centre for a trail update but as this is an unofficial trail, you may not get much information. This is also why no trail information is available on Grizzly Peak in the “Kananaskis Country: Trail Report”. As an added measure of security I would also recommend purchasing a map from the Information Centre. The obscurity of this hking trail combined with its ease to find – the trail head starts just off Highway 40, continual views, high chances of seeing wildlife, and a dramatic view from the summit make this one a “must do”, especially if you have limited time in the area.

There are many outstanding scenic hikes in Kananaskis. If you would like to share your favourite, please do so in the “Comments” section below.