We’ve been settling in as a family of four over the past few months. The newborn stage has felt like a perpetual groundhog-day of breastfeeding, changing diapers and napping cycling on repeat. I’m sure this is very familiar to those who have ever had a baby. The days and nights all blur together in a sleep-deprived haze that is somehow both full of wonder, love, joy but also exhaustion and worry all at the same time. Thankfully, my postpartum recovery has been going smoothly thanks to such a straightforward labour and delivery! Now that summer is officially here we’ve been getting out for daily walks and enjoying the sunshine and fresh air that comes with the change of the seasons. When Robin was just 1 month old we did our first big outing as a family of four and spent some time enjoying a splendid warm spell in and around Canmore. There, we took Robin out on his very first hike! It inspired me to write a short blog post about some of my favourite family friendly hikes close to Calgary. Now that the weather is getting warmer perhaps it will inspire you to hit the trails with your babies and toddlers in tow! While it may seem daunting at first to hike with a baby, it really just comes down to keeping your expectations reasonable (it’s totally ok to turn around halfway and take lots of breaks), and of course, being prepared with the right footwear, clothing and gear.
Troll Falls
Troll Falls is the classic beginner/family hike in Kananaskis – it’s so popular because it is very straightforward and easy, accessible year round (it’s beautiful both in summer and winter!) and has the option to extend to Marmot, Boulder and Upper Falls. It is a lovely stroll through lush forest with very little elevation gain. There are a number of troll dolls hidden along the trail which makes for an enchanting and fun searching game for families with young children! Lower Troll falls is a lovely little waterfall, and you can follow a steeper single track trail that leads to Marmot, Boulder and Upper Falls. Marmot Falls is our favourite part because you can actually walk behind the waterfall! These add ons can be a bit more icy in the winter so use proper footwear and spikes depending on the season. Instead of walking back the same way, there is the lovely option to loop back to the parking lot via Hay Meadows, where you walk along the Kananaskis River and take in wonderful views of the surrounding mountains.
Distance/Elevation (for Troll Falls/Hay Meadows Loop): 3.7 km and 60 m in elevation
Distance/Elevation (adding on Marmot, Boulder and Upper Falls): 6 km and ~120 m in elevation
Time: The full 6 km loop took us just over 4 hours, at a three year old pace, including breaks for snacks! A more regular pace would be around 2.5-3 hours.
Directions and Parking: Driving from Calgary, take Highway 40 South from the Trans-Canada Highway to the Kananaskis Village turnoff. Then, follow the road past the first junction and then turn right into the Stoney Trail parking lot. Go early or late in the day if it is a holiday or a weekend so you can get a parking spot as it is very popular!
Trail Conditions: Check with Alberta Parks HERE for latest updates on closures, cautions and conditions. The trail is well marked and maps/signage is posted at the trailhead.
Grassi Lakes Trail
Grassi Lakes is another very popular family friendly and beginner hike located close to the town of Canmore. The destination is a pair of stunning lakes famous for their jewelled turquoise colours. There are two routes to choose from, the Upper Trail which is an easy gravel road that is well suited to families with young children or the Lower Interpretive Trail which is a more challenging, scenic route. It was originally built by the famous trail builder Lawrence Grassi and offers lovely views of a waterfall en route to the lakes and Canmore. Note that the Lower Trail is closed in winter due to icy conditions but the Upper Trail is accessible year round, although microspikes would be recommended in the winter.
Distance/Elevation: 4 km and 170 m in elevation
Time: This past week we did the upper route the interpretative trail was still closed. Hiking with a 4 year old and babywearing a 1 month old, it took us 3 hours including breaks for snacks and time to admire the lakes. I’ve done this hike in the past without young kids in about 1.5 hours.
Directions and Parking: The trailhead is located 4.7 km south of Canmore on the Three Sisters Parkways / Smith Dorian Spray Trail (Highway 742). From town, follow the signs for the Canmore Nordic Centre. Continue for about 1 kilometre past the Nordic Centre. There is overflow parking off the side of the highway, otherwise, take a left at the sign for Grassi Lakes on Ken Ritchie Way for parking directly at the trailhead.
Trail Conditions: Check with Alberta Parks HERE for latest updates on closures, cautions and conditions. The trail is well marked and maps/signage is posted at the trailhead.
Tiger Lily Loop Trail & Yodel Loop
These family friendly hikes are a bit closer to the city for an easy half day trip out. Located in beautiful Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park, this closeby nature preserve offers many wonderful introductary hikes for littles. Plus, if you’re feeling motivated you can always add on exploring other parts of the park on their connected pathway system. To access the Tiger Lily, start just west of the parking lot. The trail descends into a sheltered coulee surrounded by trees. There are incredible views to the west of the prairies under the shadow of the rocky mountains.
Yodel Loop is accessed via Glenbow Road from the park office. It offers an overlook of the historic Glenbow Store and Post Office, Brickyards, and Corrals.
Distance/Elevation: 1.4 km and 75 meters in elevation for Tiger Lily Loop and 2.1 km and 40 m in elevation for Yodel Loop.
Time: Around 30-45 minutes for Tiger Lily Loop and 45 min for Yodel Loop.
Directions and Parking: Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park is accessed via Glenbow Road, which is off of highway 1A heading west outside of Calgary or 5 km east of Cochrane if you’re coming from the east. There is a parking lot with plenty of spaces at the park entrance.
Trail Conditions: You can find information about trail conditions and closures or other impacts at the Alberta Parks website here (Tiger Lily Loop) and here (Yodel Loop).
Fullerton Loop
Fullerton Loop is a great early season hike in Bragg Creek, as it is often one of the first trails to be free of snow. It’s also wildly popular with families with babies! Ryan and I took Robin out here on a weekday and we ran into a mom pack of at least a dozen mamas babywearing their infants on this trail! I always love a little loop to keep things different on the way back, and this lovely trail meanders through beautiful forest and has some lovely view of Moose Mountain and Prairie Mountain. We hiked counterclockwise as the uphill is less steep and you get to enjoy views on the decent.
Distance/Elevation: 6.8-km round-trip (4-km loop plus 2.8-km access trail) with about 210 meters of elevation gain.
Time: It took us about an hour without breaks and carrying Robin, but if we brought Augie we would have stopped for lunch and breaks, easily adding on another 30-45 minutes.
Directions and Parking: From Bragg Creek, take Highway 22 south, then Highway 66 west. The Fullerton parking lot is well-marked and easy to find. Parking fills up quickly on weekends so leave early and carpool if you can.
Trail Conditions: I’m turning into a broken record – check Alberta Parks as always for latest trail conditions and closures here!
Nose Hill Park
This may not count as a “hike” to many people but I think Nose Hill Park is one of the best options for easy access, introductory hiking for kids! It was the first place I “hiked” with my parents when I was a toddler and I took Augie here countless times as a baby when I was on maternity leave as well. There are numerous trails to choose from and explore, and best of all it’s located right in the city so minimal time in the car is needed! In the summer, it’s our favourite place to go Saskatoon berry picking and to check out a wide variety of native wildflowers. A lot of this park is also an off-leash area for dogs, so it’s a fun family outing if you have a furry friend in tow.
Distance/Elevation/Time: This is a choose your own adventure hike! Pick any trail and explore for as long (or short) as you please! There are maps all over on the main paved pathways that you can check to see where you want to go.
Directions and Parking: There are numerous parking lots depending on which part of the park you want to explore. My favourite access points are the Edgemont Blvd. Parking Lot on the west side and also 14th street parking lot on the east.
Trail Conditions: Open year round, but of course, during winter wear proper footwear and bring microspikes if icy.
I’m certainly looking forward to a summer of exploration and lots of time outdoors in nature with my little ones and I hope that this post may inspire a few others out there to do the same! I truly believe nature is the best teacher for our little ones, and it’s never too early to start teaching them how to be stewards of our earth and to appreciate the beauty of our planet! Happy hiking friends!
Christina Lives Freely 