Where are the Best Fall Hikes near Calgary?

The summer crowds are leaving as fall is now fast approaching. You’ll get to feel the crisp weather and see the brightly coloured foliage.  Here are some of the best trails to tackle this time of year.

Larch Valley

You’ll find the terrain will take you far into the alpine Larch Forest. The round trip runs about 8 kilometres.

The yellow leaves glow this time of year in the Larch Valley. The trail starts at Moraine Lake. If you want a longer route, you will have the option to continue to Sentinel Pass. The trail will be open during September and into early October, depending on the weather.

Lake Agnes

The round trip is approximately 3.5 kilometres. The trails are well-maintained and you’ll probably find travel time is about 2 hours. Try visiting the tea house and if you do, there’s some treats at the top. This trail is weather dependent and the tea house is open until Thanksgiving weekend.

Plain of Six Glaciers

At Six Glaciers, you’ll find a second back country tea house. Certainly expect switchbacks and steep, narrow trails. You’ll find the hike is a long 10 kilometre, round trip, from the parking lot to Lake Louise.

This trail is more challenging than Lake Agnes. This trail is open depending on weather conditions and the tea house is open until Thanksgiving weekend.

Highline Trail

If you’re feeling ambitious and can spend a full day hiking, visit both tea houses. This trail connects Lake Agnes to the Lakeshore Trail. This 14 kilometre loop will take approximately five hours. An added benefit of visiting both tea houses is if you have a proof of purchase from both, you can be entered to win a $200 tea-filled basket.

Chester Lake

The minimal elevation gain makes for a moderate 10 kilometre round trip. You’ll enjoy the pretty views Chester Lake offers with alpine meadows and flaming yellow larches. This trail is open year-round, and during the snow season, there’s snowboarding and cross country skiing.

These are just a few of the many trails found throughout the Calgary area. If you’re looking for the best hiking for the fall, give one of these trails a try.