78 Best Sights in Alberta, Canada

This 2-km (1-mile) round-trip trail passes through the montane forest above the Kananaskis River and has nice views of the mountains, the Kananaskis River, and a beaver pond. Interpretive signs describe the water cycle. Easy.

This moderate 6.9-km (4.3-mile) heavily trafficked loop provides some great views. Once you're on the loop, go clockwise to enjoy a gradual incline and a slightly steeper descent. Stop frequently on the descent---elevation gain is 239 meters (784 feet)---to notice some of the amazing views. The trail does pass through some alpine farming pastures and cattle may be seen, but the wildflowers can be stunning if you're there at the right time. Moderate

You'll need to pre-arrange transportation for this 19.3-km (12-mile) hike, but it gives you the unique opportunity to hike or mountain bike from Kananaskis to the Banff townsite. The trail, which begins at the north end of Spray Valley Provincial Park and follows Goat Creek for the first 9 km (5.6 miles) to its confluence with the Spray River, is relatively easy with just 150 meters (500 feet) of elevation gain. From there it follows the Spray River all the way to the grounds of the beautiful Fairmont Banff Springs hotel. Moderate.

A 4.3-km (2.7-mile) round-trip trek leads to these two small blue-green lakes, above which is a popular rock-climbing area. You can choose between an easy route through the forest or a more difficult route, which passes a waterfall and has nice views of Canmore and the Bow Valley. The trailhead is about 9 km (5½ miles) southwest of Canmore.

Situated southeast of downtown Canmore, Grotto Canyon is accessible only on foot. A waterfall and ancient pictographs are among the highlights of the popular 4.2-km (2.6-mile) round-trip hike to reach the steep canyon. Wear micro-spikes if you do the hike in winter.

This peak was named in honor of a Chinese cook who won a bet that he couldn't hike to the top and make it back to town in under six hours. To this day, some people still run the steep 7.4-km (4.6-mile) trail with 748 meter (2,454-foot) elevation gain. Whether you walk or run, the views from the top are outstanding.

This easy 4-km (2.5-mile) round-trip hike is a nice walk through a gorgeous canyon along a creek with a waterfall at the end.

Summit three mountains on this hike that takes you to the summit of Heart Mountain and then along a ridge walk to summit two more Canadian Rockies peaks. It's a challenging hike with a total hiking distance of 10.3 km (6.4 miles) and an elevation gain of 940 meters (3,084 feet).

One of the premier mountain biking and hiking trails in Kananaskis Country and an important part of the Canada-wide Trans-Canada Trail, this 80-km (50-mile) one-way trail can be cycled or hiked in its entirety or enjoyed in smaller sections. The northern end of the trail begins at the Goat Creek Day Use Area in Spray Valley Provincial Park, 1-km (0.6-mile) from the Banff National Park Boundary. If you want to experience part of the trail, one of the highlights is the Blackshale Suspension Bridge, which is a 1-km (0.6-mile) hike and offers spectacular views and photos. Another nice section, the 6.9-km (4.3-mile) stretch between Spray Lakes Day Use Area and the Buller Pass Trail, has beautiful lake views. At the Driftwood Day Use area, the trail crosses Highway 742 (the Smith-Dorrien/Spray Trail) and continues south beyond the Sawmill Day Use Area in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park before crossing back across Highway 742 at the Pocaterra Dam, which is north of the Peninsula Day Use Area at the north end of Lower Kananaskis Lake. The section of this trail that passes through Peter Lougheed Provincial Park traverses diverse landscapes with incredible views. It's common to see bear, moose, and coyotes along the trail. Moderate.

Winding north of Lake Louise, this 7-km (4½-mile) trail has stunning views of Lake Agnes and Mirror Lake. The trail passes through an old-growth forest and comes up the right side of a waterfall before ending at a teahouse where you can stop for dessert. It will take at least four hours to complete this trail. Moderate.

This kid-friendly 2.4-km (1½-mile) loop trail with interpretive signage is paved and mostly level. It takes most people less than two hours to complete. Toilets are at two locations, and there is a shelter halfway around. Easy.

Interpretive signs on this easy 2.5-km (1.6-mile) trail describe river ecology and mammals of the area. Hikers will walk along a small section of the Little Elbow River just before it empties into the Elbow River. Easy.

This 4.4-km (2.7-mile), one-way trail east of Jasper townsite leads to views of the area's famous limestone gorge. Starting at the fifth of six bridges spanning the canyon, the winding trail gains about 100 meters (330 feet) in elevation. There's a waterfall at the head of the canyon. Easy.

This 1.3-km (0.8-mile) interpretive trail encircles a wetland that is fed by warm underground springs. There's an observation deck to observe birds and plants in the wetland and interpretive signs that describe the unique environment. Easy.

A 1.8-km (1.1-mile) loop trail leads from a well-marked highway pullout to a footbridge over a deep winding slot canyon where you can view the Mistaya River swirling far below. The highway pullout is 74 km (46 miles) northwest of Lake Louise.

You'll find the trailhead for this 1.5-km (0.9-mile) interpretive loop trail at the visitor center. It's great for children and has views of forest, meadows, and seasonal wildflowers. Easy.

When you mention backpacking in Mount Robson Provincial Park, most people automatically think of the world-famous Berg Lake Trail, but it isn't the only backpacking trail in the park. The Mount Fitzwilliam Trail, also known as Fitzwilliam Basin Trail, is another backpacking option in the park that is practically unknown. While the Berg Lake Trail is well constructed and maintained and fully booked months in advance, the Mount Fitzwilliam is "user maintained" and backpackers can self-register at the trailhead.

There are two campgrounds along the 14-km (9-mile) trail, one with six tent pads about halfway up at Rockingham Creek and another with two tent pads at the end of the trail. The first half of the trail to Rockingham Creek is a well-constructed trail, but the second half is a far rougher track with roots and rocks. For that reason, some people choose to stay overnight at the first campground and hike to the end of the trail on a day hike. The total elevation gain for this hike is 950 meters (3,120 feet).

Mount Fitzwilliam, an imposing 2,901-meter (9,518-foot) peak, was named in 1863 by Dr. Walter Butler Cheadle in honor of his traveling companion William Wentworth Fitzwilliam the Viscount Milton. The pair were likely the first tourists in this region and wrote a book entitled The North-West Passage by Land documenting their adventures. Moderate.

A 7.4-km (4.6-mile) round-trip hike will take you through the forest to a fire lookout with amazing views of Mount Kidd. Be careful if you do this hike in winter as it is in an avalanche area and proper safety measures must be taken. There's a 734-meter (2,408-foot) elevation gain. Moderate.

This moderately difficult 3-km (2-mile) hike offers stunning views of Sunburst, Elizabeth, Cerulean, Magog, and Wedgewood Lakes as well as Sunburst Peak and Mount Assiniboine. The hike begins at the lodge and climbs up to a ridge known as the Niblet and then continues on to the summit of the Nublet. The total elevation gain is 350 meters (1,148 feet). Moderate.

Shaped by glaciers, Old Fort Point is a bedrock knob that provides an excellent view of Jasper. It will take an hour or two to complete the 3½-km (2.2-mile) loop trail. A wide, easy path that begins behind the information kiosk leads to a very steep section of trail. It's common to see Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, the provincial mammal of Alberta, from this trail. Along the way you'll pass Jasper National Park's oldest rock, but the real highlight is the view from the top. Easy.

This easy to moderate hike is great for families and is accessible in all seasons, although April through November is best. The hike is 3.6 km (2.2 miles) with an elevation gain of 168 meters (546 feet); some great views of Moose Mountain can be seen to the south. Easy

Near Maligne Lake, this 8.2-km (5.1-mile) hike is very steep and takes from four to six hours to complete. There are excellent views of Maligne Valley, and many opportunities to observe wildlife, including moose and bears. Be sure to make noise as you hike, and keep your distance from the wildlife. During summer, you will spot many wildflowers along the trail. Difficult.

This 2.2-km (1.4-mile) interpretive trail is an easy hike that passes through a mixed forest of lodgepole pine, white spruce, aspen, and poplar trees. After looping around, the trail takes you downstream along the Elbow River back to the campground. Easy.

This short but steep 2½-km (1½-mile) trail is a great stop along the Icefields Parkway that takes you above the tree line to one of the prettiest views in the Canadian Rockies. At the top of Parker Ridge, there's an excellent view of the Saskatchewan Glacier, where the Saskatchewan River begins. Snowbanks can persist into early summer, but by late July carpets of wildflowers cover the trail. Stay on the path to keep erosion to a minimum. Moderate.

The four lakes at the southern end of Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park are popular with anglers. They can be reached via a 4.2-km (2.6-mile) trail that passes through a forested area before it drops down to the lakes. There is a 450-meter (1,475-foot) elevation gain. Moderate.

This 3.9-km (2.4-mile) boardwalk runs alongside Policeman’s Creek and passes ponds and forested areas with views of the mountains. It's a good place to see ducks, birds, and other wildlife and there are plenty of spots with pretty views.

Often called the Barrier Fire Lookout trail, the Prairie View Trail switchbacks uphill on an old forestry road to a spectacular viewpoint looking south over Barrier Lake. From this viewpoint, you can either continue to the Barrier Fire Lookout on the north side of the ridge or descend along Jewel Pass. The Jewel Pass trail goes alongside Jewell Creek and passes Jewell Falls before ending on the shores of Barrier Lake. It's 9.8-km (6.1-miles) round-trip with a 475-meter (1,558-foot) elevation gain to the McConnell Ridge viewpoint and another 1.4-km (0.9-miles) round-trip with an 80-meter (262-foot) elevation gain to the Barrier Fire Lookout. If you add Jewell Pass, it's 14 km (8.7 miles) round-trip. Moderate.

This 3.9-km (2.4-mile) one-way trail leads to a beautiful high alpine lake surrounded by mountain peaks and alpine meadows; it's one of the prettiest spots in Kananaskis Country. The trail goes along Upper Kananaskis Lake and through a pine forest to Rawson Lake. It's a popular hiking trail in summer and a snowshoeing trail in winter. There is 320 meters (1,050 feet) of elevation gain, and because of the high elevation, it's possible to encounter snow on this trail into mid-July. Moderate.

This short 0.8-km (½-mile) trail leads up stairs that have been built into rocks and takes you to the top of a rock pile to enjoy an incredible view of Moraine Lake. There are a variety of lookout points from the top of the rock pile, but it's important to stay on the trail, as walking over rocks and logs off-trail can be dangerous. Easy.

Siffleur Falls is one of the most popular trails in Bighorn Country. The relatively easy 8-km (5-mile) round-trip hike will take you across a suspension bridge, a boardwalk, and along a deep gorge with several viewing points before you reach beautiful Siffleur Falls. The trail is wide and relatively easy with only about 100 meters (328 feet) of elevation gain. It's a good hike for families, but it cannot accommodate strollers or wheelchairs. Ambitious hikers can continue on past the first falls to see two more waterfalls at 6.2 km (3.9 miles) and 6.9 km (4.3 miles) one-way. This trail can be busy in summer. Easy.