1. Grassi Lakes: An easy climb through the forested sub-alpine to two turquoise springs. Highlights along the way include a waterfall, aboriginal paintings, wildflowers and a panoramic view of Canmore. Watch the rock climbers practising on the cliffs as you enjoy a picnic at the top. Total elevation gain is about 800 feet; return distance is 3.8 km (about seven miles). The hike takes about two hours return.

2. Heart Creek Trail: Hike this popular trail across a treed slope, over a footbridge, to a junction where you turn right and follow the wide gravel path up the creek. Enjoy crossing and re-crossing the creek path’s seven bridges with Mt. McGillivray on the right and Heart Mountain on the left. The trail ends at a vertical cliff and hidden waterfall.

3. Ribbon Creek to Ribbon Falls: Trail begins at the coal cart in the parking lot past the hostel. Check the trail maps along the way to be sure you are on the right path. At the 10 km point, pass the Ribbon Falls backcountry campground. Continue on the trail to a rocky overlook facing the falls which can be quite spectacular especially during the early summer run-off or after heavy rain. Return to your car.

4. Upper Kananaskis Lake: Stay on the main trail which will take you completely around the lake and back to your car. It doesn’t matter whether you do the trail clockwise or anti-clockwise; the scenery is beautiful either way. Proceeding anti-clockwise on a warm day will get you across the scree slopes and into the shade of the trees on the south shore by afternoon.

1. Chester Lake: This hike is a grand day out in Kananaskis Country for beginner-intermediate trekkers. The trailhead starts at the Sawmill parking lot some 50 km up the Spray Road from Canmore. Zigzag your way up the mountainside to where the initial climb eases up and gives way to alpine forest opening onto a high amphitheatre of rock peaks. Make your way to the lake and watch the anglers as you enjoy lunch. Continue upwards left from the lake a few more kilometres past a huge rockfall of boulders to a wonderful close up view of the chiseled backside of Fortress Mountain and small ponds. Great views back across the valley too.

Bear sightings are possible on most hikes. Loud shouts in confined areas will announce your group’s presence. Check at park info centres for wildlife sightings and trail closures. Prepare for sudden weather changes and take lots of water, sun protection, climbing poles and an energy bar to see you home safely. Turn back if you’re tired; the descent is often harder on stressed muscles or ligaments.