Alberta’s 8 Incredible Hikes that Don’t Get the Likes

Others do it for the social feed, but you do it to feed your adventurous appetite. Uncrowded paths and undisturbed quiet are waiting to be discovered in Alberta's less visited destinations.

Table Mountain, Castle Provincial Park

Appearances can be deceiving. Scroll through Instagram photos of Table Mountain down in southern Alberta's Castle Provincial Park and you might think the summit offers nothing but precipitous drop-offs. Yet Table Mountain is a hike that takes you through the montane and subalpine forests to a picturesque mountain creek, where the real reward is seeing first-hand why the Castle front ranges are referred to as the Prairies to Peaks.

It should be noted that this trail has extremely rocky terrain and some scrambling is required. Proper hiking boots with good ankle support are strongly recommended. Allow two hours to hike the 10-km (6.2-mi) out-and-back trail over an 832-m (2,730-ft) elevation gain.

Turtle Mountain, Crowsnest Pass

The hike to Turtle Mountain will leave you breathless in more ways than one. Granted, you steeply ascend 936 m (3,070 ft) over just 3.1 km (2 mi) — the hike is 7.4 km (4.6 mi) in total — but this is also the mountain responsible for Canada's deadliest landslide. It's closely monitored, but scientists say it will slide again one day. While you may feel a wee bit of tension at the summit, wondering just when it's all going to let loose again, focus instead on enjoying the spectacular views of the Frank Slide and the Crowsnest Valley.

The Matapiiksi (Hoodoo) Trail, Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park/Áísínai'pi

The Matapiiksi (Hoodoo) Trail, is a stunning 5-km (3.1-mi) out-and-back interpretative hike in Canada’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site, Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai'pi, located in the southeast corner of Alberta. Start at the campground and hike through an otherworldly landscape of hoodoos that come in all shapes and sizes. Continue past sandstone cliffs overlooking the pretty Milk River and on through prairie grasslands to finish at the Battle Scene petroglyph — one of the most notable rock carvings in the park.

Window Mountain Lake, Crowsnest Pass

Nothing beats a glittering lake in the mountains on a summer day, especially a lake you can actually swim in. Window Mountain Lake is only a 2-km (1.2-mi) hike in from the trailhead if you've got a high-clearance vehicle. Otherwise, double your mileage but reduce your angst over bottoming out in your car. The bulk of the 210-m (689-ft) elevation gain occurs in the first kilometre. From there, it's lovely hiking through woods filled with massive trees until you pop out beside the lake. Either hike around the entire lake through stunning swaths of wildflowers or find your piece of paradise and enjoy the landscape.

Pierre Grey's Lakes Provincial Park

Pierre Grey's Lakes Provincial Park isn't a mainstream destination. The park is a solid 398-km (247-mi) drive west of Edmonton and an ideal stopover for people travelling north. But with five lakes and 24 km (15 mi) of easy hiking trails, it's also perfect for people looking for something a little different. Don't miss the hike out to the end of a spit in Desjarlais Lake, where there's a massive osprey nest, or the hike to the remains of a historical trading post on the shores of Moberly Lake.

Horseshoe Canyon, Canadian Badlands

Looking for an easy, unique hike? Head to Horseshoe Canyon, near Drumheller, for a walk through a badlands landscape famous for its intriguing geology. Descend into the canyon from the observation deck, where three ecosystems reveal themselves over two arms of the canyon — wild prairie grasses, wooded coulee slopes along with the eroded rock that make up the Canadian Badlands. Spend the better part of a day hiking on up to 10 km (6.2 mi) of trails.

Lake Annette/Paradise Valley, Banff National Park

A tiny fraction of the people who visit the ever-popular Moraine Lake do this hike and yet it's a stunner. Follow Paradise Creek up to Lake Annette as it climbs a modest 250 m (820 ft) over 5.7 km (3.5 mi). Enjoy lunch under the magnificence of Mount Temple's sheer north face. Ambitious hikers can continue all the way to Sentinel Pass or the Giant Steps.

Nigel Pass, Banff National Park

Enjoy a moderate hike to Nigel Pass — 15.9 km (9.9 mi) out-and-back. The trail provides exceptional views of Mount Saskatchewan and Parker Ridge along with wildflower-filled meadows with its location halfway between Lake Louise and the Columbia Icefield. If you've got the time and energy, continue exploring along the pretty Brazeau River in either direction from the pass.