Hiking is an affordable family activity and there are many trails near Calgary that provide a safe option for year-round outings. Many easy summer trails are wide and straightforward to follow even when they’re snow-covered. The ones below are generally well packed down through the winter, so you usually won’t need snowshoes.
\n \nBelow are some of my favorite easy winter hiking trails for families:
\n1. Paddy’s Flat Interpretive Trail, Kananaskis. You’ll begin by hiking through the Paddy’s Flat Campground in the Elbow Valley off Highway 66. Park at the closed campground gate, and hike down the road to the C loop. You’ll find the entrance to the hiking trail near the playground (which is fun, even in the winter) and from there, it’s straightforward hiking along the river. The interpretive trail is 2.2km in length, but allow for another 2kms of hiking through the campground.
\n2. Beaver Flats Interpretive Trail, Kananaskis. This is another winter gem in the Elbow Valley off Highway 66. To access the trail in winter, you’ll park at Elbow Falls, and then walk along the closed highway from the winter gate to start your hike. Hike along the highway for 400m until you see the sign for the Beaver Lodge pullout. An arrow directs you down off the highway and onto the trail. Total hiking distance is roughly 4km return including the portion on the closed highway. The trail is straightforward to follow and passes by several beaver ponds as you hike toward the Beaver Flats Campground.
\n3. Troll Falls and Hay Meadows, Kananaskis. This hike is conveniently located near Kananaskis Village off Highway 40. This 4m loop hike follows the Troll Falls and Hay Meadows Trails. These multi-use winter trails permit cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking, and hiking. Please be respectful of the ski tracks and do not walk on top of them. Access to the trails is from the Troll Falls parking lot which is the first parking lot on your right-hand side as you drive up towards Nakiska from Highway 40.
\n4. Fenland Loop, Banff. This short 2km loop trail starts from the Fenland trail parking lot on Mt. Norquay Road at the edge of the Banff town site. It’s a great hike with toddlers and preschoolers, always well packed down, and wide enough for sleds.
\n5. Johnson Lake, Banff. This hike is accessed via the Lake Minnewanka loop road just outside the town of Banff. When frozen, one can hike right across the middle of the lake or you can follow the trail that circles the lake through the trees. The loop is 3km in distance and great for small children.
\n6. Stewart Canyon and Lake Minnewanka, Banff. This is another great hike in the Lake Minnewanka area. The hike is a 3km round-trip to the canyon and the trail follows the lake shoreline to an old wooden bridge over Stewart Canyon (Note: You will want to watch small children on a few narrow spots, and sleds might not be appropriate for the entire distance along the lakeshore). Ice cleats or spikes may be necessary depending on conditions.
\n7. Tunnel Mountain Summit, Banff. This is a more advanced winter hike, but a lot of fun for families with school-aged kids looking for a winter adventure. You’ll gain approximately 300m of elevation as you climb to the top of Tunnel Mountain in the Banff town site. The hike is a 4.8km round-trip, and ice cleats are highly recommended for all members in your group. (Note: Ice cleats can be purchased from most outdoor stores, and most children should fit a pair of small cleats if their feet are at least size 12 to 13).
\n8. Sundance Trail to Sundance Canyon, Banff. This is another multi-use trail for cross-country skiing and hiking. The wide width of the trail makes it ideal for sleds, and it is a great choice for young kids needing a trail that is well packed down. The trail starts from the Cave and Basin National Historic Site in the Banff town site and is 6km round trip to the beginning of the canyon. Again, please stay off the ski tracks and give priority to skiers coming down the hills toward you (Note: It is not recommended to continue further into the canyon itself in winter due to slippery stairs and steep climbs).
\n9. Johnston Canyon, Banff. This trail is located 22km west of Banff in The Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A). It is a 2.2km return hike to the Lower Falls and a 5.4km return hike to the Upper Falls. Ice cleats are highly recommended, and often necessary. Parents will also want to keep a close eye on small children, so they don’t fall over the low railings into the canyon below. This is one of my family's favorite winter hikes, and with proper caution, this hike will be a highlight for your family this winter.
\n10. Lake Louise Shoreline Trail, Lake Louise. This 4km return trail starts in front of the Château Lake Louise and takes you to the back of the lake where you can see a 100m tall frozen waterfall. You can either follow the trail through the trees or hike on the lake when frozen. If hiking on the lake, please stay off the cross-country ski tracks (Note: There is an avalanche hazard if you hike past the end of the lake, so make sure you stop at the waterfall).
\nFor more information on winter hiking in Banff and Kananaskis, please stop in at a local visitor centre or check the Parks Canada and/or Alberta Parks website for trail reports.
\nRemember that you’ll need to purchase a Kananaskis Conservation Pass for all day trips in Kananaskis. Your day or annual pass can be purchased online or at a Visitor Centre. Day trips to Banff will also require a National Park Pass which you can purchase at the park gate as you enter Banff if you don’t already have an annual pass.
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Tanya is a freelance writer and mom to a spunky boy. She loves hiking, camping, skiing, and all things mountain-related. She is the author of the blog, Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies, rockiesfamilyadventures.com.
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