Winter hiking may be one of the most underrated activities. Unlike the busy summer season, cooler months promise quieter trails, empty parking lots and familiar landscapes blanketed by snow and frost. Imagine walking through snow-capped trees, discovering frozen lakes, gazing up at towering icefalls and breathing in fresh, crisp mountain air. The season provides a completely new perspective, and is the perfect way to appreciate the calm, boost your mood and move your body outdoors.
However, winter hiking does require a bit more preparation. The trails might be icy, maybe it snowed last night, and it’s almost always chilly at the peak. We’ve definitely been thwarted before by hip-deep snow and -30 temperatures depending on the winter we’re having. So how you do stay safe and plan for the perfect hiking day, even in the middle of winter?
Keep reading for our top tips to hike successfully in the winter and our 11 favourite trails to experience hiking in the off-season.
How To Prepare For Winter Hiking
What To Bring
- Layers! Think warm socks, thin underlayers and a warm jacket or vest to go on top.
- Don’t forget your toque and gloves to stay cozy until your body warms up.
- Pack anything you need in a small backpack — we grab freeze-dried or high-protein snacks here on our way out of the city.
- Tip: Bring water in an insulated bottle so it doesn’t freeze!
Grab Your Gear
- Next, pack your hiking boots and cramp-ons. You could also bring poles for stability and wear snow pants that go over your boots to avoid soggy ankles.
- Don’t have your own gear? Rent everything you need from the University Of Calgary Outdoor Centre — it’s super affordable, and no, you don’t have to be a student.
Know Before You Go
- Check the weather forecast the night before. If it’s cold, bring more layers. If it’s snowing, leave extra time to drive carefully and bring the right gear.
- Double check what time the sun goes down. Nobody wants to get caught on a trail after dark, and the mountains block the sun earlier than sunset times here in the city.
- Look up trail conditions on All Trails. You can read reviews, look at recent photos, and even download an offline map if you’re a paying member (we do, and it’s SO worth it).
- If you’re planning to adventure in avalanche terrain, consider taking an avalanche skills training program.
Our Favourite 11 Winter Hiking Trails Near Calgary, Alberta
Keep in mind — Extreme cold, road closures and heavy snowfalls may limit your ability to do some of these hikes. So these trails below are ideas for winter hiking adventures, when conditions allow. Always make sure you have the proper gear, tell someone where you’re going, and look at reviews before you head out.
Cox Hill
Difficulty: Moderate-Hard
Length: 12.9km, 780m elevation
Distance from Calgary: Less than 1 hour
This out-and-back trail is found near the Sibbald Lake Provincial Recreation Area, in the foothills before you reach the mountains. If you don’t want to drive down Highway 40, it’s a great option for a hike closer to Calgary. You’ll gradually gain elevation as you follow the winding trail, until you reach a gorgeous view of the Rockies in the west. When we went, the trail was super quiet and the view oh-so-worth it. You do need to take a gravel road to get here, so make sure you have winter tires.
Find this hike on All Trails.
Prairie Mountain
Difficulty: Moderate-Hard
Length: 8.4km, 711m elevation
Distance from Calgary: Less than 1 hour
Drive through Bragg Creek and you’ll find this out-and-back trail off Highway 66. The highway beyond this hike closes from December to May, but luckily the trailhead starts right at the closure. You can park along the road and hit the trail for a steady incline. At the top, you’re rewarded with gorgeous mountain range views and a Canadian flag for the perfect photo-op. We hiked this trail in late fall, but know people who hike it regularly all year long!
Find this hike on All Trails.
White Buddha Loop
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Length: 3.1km, 283m elevation
Distance from Calgary: Less than 1 hour
This short hike is also found down Highway 66 past Bragg Creek, and it requires an extra 600-meter walk from the road closure to the Powderface Creek Trailhead. You’ll start by walking between the surrounding mountains until you start a somewhat steep but short ascent to reach a lovely view of the surrounding landscape. We hiked this trail in February, and there was hardly another soul around.
Find this hike on All Trails.
Green Monster Icefall
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 11.6km, 548m elevation
Distance from Calgary: 1 hour 15 minutes
This hike is a SIGHT during the winter. Find the trailhead at the Evan Thomas Day Use Area, just past Nakiska and across from Mount Kidd. You’ll trek through towering mountains and pass two smaller waterfalls while following a small creek. There’s even a small chain-assisted ‘cliff’ for 30-40m, followed by 2-3 ropes to help you descend safely — it might sound scary, but it’s really fun! Not long after, you’ll reach the famous Green Monster, a towering frozen waterfall.
Tips: Definitely bring crampons for extra stability along the chained section. The waterfall is a popular area for ice climbers so be cautious.
Find this hike on All Trails.
Want to discover more frozen waterfalls from Calgary this winter? Here are our top 11.
Tryst Lake
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 7km, 373m elevation
Distance from Calgary: Just under 2 hours
We discovered this out-and-back trail for the first time in late fall. It had already snowed, but the larches were still in full force. Park in the Mount Engadine lot and follow the flat trail until you find the Tryst Lake turn off (it’s subtle, so having an offline map is helpful!). You’ll follow a slowly inclining valley to reach the raised lake, which is located underneath Tent Ridge — if you look carefully, you might see people hiking above you!
Tip: If it’s not too snowy, hike the extra 200m up the lefthand side of the lake for a spectacular view of Tryst Lake and the surrounding mountains.
Find this hike on All Trails.
Barrier Lake Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 7.7km, 234m elevation (option to add more or turn around)
Distance from Calgary: Less than 1 hour
If you’re looking for a simple but beautiful escape from the city, hike around Barrier Lake. Found just off the Highway 40 turn, park in the lot and make your way over to the west side of the lake. You can walk along the shore for as long as you want, or loop back to walk along a wide path to switch it up. We hiked this trail in January, and went along Jewel Path to make the trek a bit longer.
Find this hike on All Trails.
Spray River Trail East
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Length: 11.4km, 538m elevation
Distance from Calgary: 1 hour 30 minutes
Find this out-and-back trail along Goat Creek right on the edge of Banff, starting behind the Fairmont Banff Springs. This trail is technically a loop, with East and West sides. The East Trail is multi-use, meaning people hike, bike, snowshoe and even x-country ski it in the winter. The West Trail is groomed for x-country skiing, so no foot traffic is allowed. Throughout this walk, you’ll follow the frozen creek and be completely surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature, it’s very peaceful!
Find this hike on All Trails.
Want more cross-country ski trail ideas? Find our favourite spots in Calgary and the mountains.
Rawson Lake
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 6.8km, 526m elevation
Distance from Calgary: 1 hour 45 minutes
If you’ve hiked this trail in the summer, you already know it’s a natural oasis tucked away in the mountains. Come wintertime, it’s even more stunning, and MUCH quieter. We’ve hiked it in February and June — both times there was snow! Park at the Upper Kananaskis Lake lot and follow the lakeside trail around the lefthand side. After 1.5kms, you’ll split off from the main trail and steadily climb until you reach the lake. If we have a warm winter, you might be lucky enough to see Mount Sarrail reflected in the water, or else look out over a blanketed frozen lake.
Find this hike on All Trails.
Lillian Lake & Galatea Lakes
Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
Length: 16.4km, 838m elevation
Distance from Calgary: 1 hour 30 minutes
Get ready for hours of trees, snow and silence. This long out-and-back trail is a slow climb as you wind through forest until you reach Lillian Lake, a popular back-country camping spot (this point is 12km roundtrip). Depending on the weather and the conditions, continue along this trail to reach Galatea Lakes, gorgeously framed by towering mountains on all sides. We hiked this trail in late November and it was COLD — our oranges (and hands) froze as we peeled them!
Find this hike on All Trails.
Minnewanka Lakeside Trail
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Length: Up to 15.6km, 505m elevation
Distance from Calgary: 1 hour 30 minutes
For a leisurely stroll in the mountains, stop by Lake Minnewanka just outside Banff. This lakeside trail wraps around the ENTIRE lake (it’s huge!), so you can turn around anytime. Most people hike to Stewart Canyon and back, which is both scenic and peaceful. We hiked here with a cat in late November and it was chiiiiiilly, so we quickly hiked in-and-out. This is also a popular spot for skating in the winter when the ice is thick enough — you can spot frozen bubbles in the water.
Find this hike on All Trails.
Canmore Townsite
Difficulty: Easy
Length: Various
Distance from Calgary: 1 hour 10 minutes
Looking for something a little easier and more well-trafficked? The town of Canmore has dozens of beautiful trails within city limits, surrounded by the Three Sisters and jawdropping views. Walk over the Canmore Engine Bridge to stroll along the Bow River, find countless trails starting near the Three Sisters Mountain Village, or head to the Nordic Centre for maintained cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. Whether you want a leisurely stroll or a sweat-breaking climb, Canmore has it all.
Find Canmore hikes on All Trails.
Now that you know what to bring and where to go, it’s time to grab your gear, bundle up and hit the trails!
