It is the season for wonderful colours! It is the time of year when Alberta’s trees and forests become a warm palette of beautiful fall colours. In our opinion, no other place in Alberta offers the same fall beauty which Kananaskis Country can offer.
You can take your pick of several hikes in the large Rocky Mountain area, but we’ve selected the top trails for fall colours and photography.
These trails include the area’s famous golden larches. The larches draw the crowds they do because of their unique colour: most coniferous trees remain green all year which is why they get the name evergreen. But, the larches are deciduous and turn the bright gold colour which you can see in the valleys around Banff. But beyond the larches and the hikes leading to forests, you can also take a few shorter hikes around Kananaskis to still get awe-inspiring fall views filled with an array of colours
The trails in Kananaskis Country are wonderful to explore, but they create an extensive network. Print or download maps (or use offline apps) ahead of time to avoid problems with phone signals:
And don’t forget your Conservation Pass (unlike other Alberta Parks, Kananaskis Country Parks have an admission fee))
FYI: Some of the hikes mentioned do not have larch trees and remain green around the year, but the overall ambience changes with the season.
For more hikes:
- 15 Fall Hikes to See Golden Larches in and Around Calgary
- 25 Alberta Parks For Fantastic Fall Colours
Pocaterra Ridge
Challenge yourself to a longer hike to see beautiful fall larches. The Pocaterra Ridge is a quieter golden larch view in Kananaskis Country with a path open to hikers and cyclists. Pocaterra Ridge takes a few hours to complete at 9.8km one-way or 20km hike out-and-back for a full day hike. If you go one way, there are convenient places to park cars on either side of the trail. There is also a shorter 0.6km boardwalk trail if you’re in search of an even shorter walk with nice fall views. Details
Total distance: 20km out-and-back
Location: Highwood Meadows Day Use Area – Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
Chester Lake
The Chester Lake hike involves quite a bit of elevation gain, but over a nice gradual climb. The 3-hour hike is generally busy in the fall, and you’re better off leaving for this trail early in the morning. But it doesn’t matter which point in a fall day you hike up to Chester Lake, either time will provide you with gorgeous views of the valley as it cuts through two massive peaks. In the fall, the valley is a combination of bright golds and greens from the changing Larch needles. Details
Total distance: 9km out-and-back
Location: Chester Lake Day Use Area – Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
Buller Pass Trail
The trail to Buller Pass is a hidden little gem for finding the golden larches of Kananaskis. While there are many great hikes, in the Peter Lougheed area further south, the larches begin a bit further north, too, in the Spray Valley.
The Buller Pass Trail which totals just over 12km, can be shortened or lengthened. The longer hikes can be turned into full-day adventures, ranging from 15-20km. You’ll need to cross the Smith Dorrien Trail for access to the Buller trial network. Details
Total distance: 12.2km out-and-back
Location: Buller Mountain Day Use Area – Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
Rawson Lake
The stunning Rawson Lake has an equally as beautiful mountain backdrop and takes a peaceful forest hike to reach. The well-marked path is a bit of a climb as you make your way through the alpine forests, but all-in-all, the 300 or so metres you hike up will hardly be noticed. You’ll be too busy taking in all the fall beauty of Upper Kananaskis and Rawson Lakes. Details
Total distance: 6.8km out-and-back
Location: Upper Lake Day Use Area – Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
Middle Lake Interpretive
This shorter trail through the woods begins at the beautiful Middle Lake and is a great place for birdwatchers and wildlife photographers. The Middle Lake Interpretive Trail is also easy enough for smaller kids to complete and makes a great family hike in Kananaskis. The large Douglas firs will still be green, but the surrounding smaller trees and shrubs are an array of fall colours this time of year. Details
Total distance: 2km loop
Location: Middle Lake Day Use Area – Bow Valley Provincial Park
Barrier Lake Interpretive
The 5km Barrier Lake Interpretive Trail makes a perfect hour-long walk (depending on how much you stop to read the interpretive signs) to the shores of the lake. In addition to the great views of the blue lake, you may also get chances at spotting wildlife like moose, deer, and larger birds of prey. Most of the 2.5km out on the trail are uphill, but the views are worth the challenge. Details
Total distance: 5km out-and-back
Location: Barrier Lake Day Use Area – Bow Valley Provincial Park
Beaver Flats Interpretive
Enjoy a bit of education on Canada’s national animal with the Beaver Flats trail. Along the way are interpretive signs teaching you all about the local beavers and their habitats, as well as possibilities for live beaver sightings. This can be a fun trail for kids, or a picture-perfect place for fall family photos. Details
Total distance: 2.8km out-and-back
Location: Beaverlodge Day Use Area – Elbow Falls Provincial Recreation Area
Ford Knoll
Take about an hour to explore the Little Elbow foothills scenery and the riverside Forgetmenot Pond. You can follow the Ford Knoll trail around the pond on foot, bike, or horseback away from the pond and into the forested areas for a hike which will see quite a bit of elevation gain, and therefore added challenge. You can also follow an easier trail around the Forgetmenot Pond. Details
Total distance: 4km loop
Location: Forgetmenot Pond Day Use – Little Elbow Provincial Recreation Area
Nihahi Ridge
The start to the Nihahi Ridge (and Nihahi Creek/Little Elbow) Trail is a wonderful variety of fall forest colours, and is made prettier with the mountains behind the trees. After following the river for a bit, you’ll head up for about 390m until you get your final reward of sweeping river valley views. The Elbow and Little Elbow will both be visible on your hike. Details
Total distance: 5km out-and-back
Location: Little Elbow Trailhead Day Use Area – Little Elbow Provincial Recreation Area
Deer Ridge
You’re free to hike, bike, or ride your horse around the Sibbal Lake and Flats areas, including the Deer Ridge Trail. This trail is especially awesome as it takes you through an old growth forest with massive trees. On the higher parts of the trail you will be able to see the various fall colours stretch through the valley and over the large foothills. Details
Total distance: 6.1km
Location: Sibbald Lake Day Use – Sibbald Lake Provincial Recreation Area
Arethusa Cirque Route
This area of Kananaskis goes through many colour changes throughout the year from the white snow, the bright wildlflowers, the lush green, and now for fall, the warm hues of the foliage. This is another great hike for those wanting photos or sights of the golden larches, as you get to see the larch forest sprawl for quite a ways. You’ll be climbing over 2km in elevation, but at a nice gradual pace. Details
Total distance: 4.5km loop
Location: – Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
Old Mill Route
The Old Mill trails in Brown-Lowrey Provincial Park all connect to create one large loop of about 6km. From this loop, you could also venture onto the park’s Wildrose or Raven Trail. But on this loop, you will get fall views with the foothills and Rockies, as well as the bright golden leaf colours. Details
Total distance: 6.1km
Location: Brown-Lowrey Day Use Area – Brown-Lowrey Provincial Park
Volcano Ridge
Spend a day exploring the foothills and small Rockies of the Sheep River area, and all its forested beauty! The first half of the hike is spent gaining elevation over rocky ridges and across creek beds. During the walk, you can admire a wide array of fall colours; and at the end of the first 6 or 7km, enjoy the stunning 360-degree views. Details
Total distance: 15km out-and-back
Location: Gorge Creek Day Use Area – Sheep River Provincial Park
Sandy McNabb Interpretive
For an easier or kid-friendly hike in the Sheep River area of Kananaskis, you can take to the Sandy McNabb Interpretive Trail for photo opportunities, wildlife viewing, or quiet places to relax. While much of the trail crosses through open grassland, the fields are surrounded by dense forests which only enhance the beauty of your walk. Details
Total distance: 1.6km loop
Location: Sandy McNabb Lookout Parking – Sheep River Provincial Park
Jewell Pass
You can bike or hike the trails around the Barrier Dam and Lake in Bow Valley Provincial Park, with a neat loop taking you on a lakeside trail. The first half will follow Barrier Lake’s shores, while the second part of the hike or bike brings you up the base of Yates Mountain, and to another shoreline trail. With the connector trails and various checkpoints, you can easily make this hike shorter or longer than the 7.9km. Jewell Pass makes for stunning fall scenery with the bright blue of the lake in total contrast to the bright gold and green foliage around the water. Details
Total distance: 7.9km loop
Location: Barrier Dam Day Use Area – Bow Valley Provincial Park