Grassi Lakes Hiking Trail
The Grassi Lakes hiking trail is a 4.3 kilometer (2.7 miles) out and back moderate hike located in the city of Canmore, in Alberta Canada. The local trail is just outside of Banff National Park. Canada wins for most beautiful lakes you’ve ever seen.
How to Get to Grassi Lakes Trail
Fly into Calgary YYC
Drive from Calgary to Canmore
If you are planning on spending a day or two in Calgary, check out this itinerary by Canada Crossroads.
Where to Stay in Canmore
Grassi Lakes Trailhead Location
To get to Grassi Lakes trailhead, go past the Canmore Nordic Centre and take a left down Ken Richie Way. You’ll head down a paved road to a parking lot on your right. Try to get there early to get a parking spot and hike with less people. The trail is mostly uphill taking you to 2 beautiful lakes. The trip back down can be risky if you’re not in the right footwear. I would highly recommend hiking boots for this hike.
There are two different trails leading up to the lakes, an “easy” path and a “difficult” path. We took the easier trail and it was still a steady uphill climb that was at times challenging. The trail is a wide gravel path and easy to follow. All-terrain strollers will make it up this route better. The “difficult” Grassi Lakes trail is offers much more excitement and killer views. I would not recommend strollers or young children take this trail. If the trail is wet or snowy wear crampons to avoid potential for injury.
Have you hiked the Grassi Lakes trail? What did you think?!
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47 comments
Beautiful – the colour of that water ✨
I will add this to my list for next time I am in Canmore! beautiful!
I cannot believe how clear that water is! So beautiful thanks for sharing!!
What a gorgeous spot that’s well worth the hike! I can’t get over just how many truly beautiful natural spots that Canada has to offer!
Alberta is great for those crazily beautiful lakes isn’t it!
We are hoping (if covid-19 allows) to do a road trip over to Banff/ Jasper this August. I will add this to the list of possible areas to explore. It’s always good to have a few easier trails to mix in with the hard core adventures!
The lake is gorgeous ! The water is so clear you can see the bottom of it ! Thanks for informing that the easy trail can be steep too. I’m all for the killer view, no pain no gain, but the last thing I want is to feel so bad that I end up not enjoying the end of the journey. I like to take my pace, and manage within my limits ! =)
HOW IS THIS PLACE EVEN REAL??? So beautiful!! I bet it’s even better in person!
This looks like an incredible hike – definitely one for my bucket list!
Yes! I spent more time taking pictures of the lakes/exploring around them than the hike took haha
Grassi Lakes looks so amazingly beautiful that should I visit, I would never want to leave!! You have captured the beauty of nature so perfectly!
Thank you for the compliment! I’ve visited Canada’s rockies 2x now, and I would love to go and just spend months there exploring haha
What stunning pictures! Wow! I would love to visit this part of the world and do this awesome hike. Also, it is a good excuse to get good hiking boots. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I agree 😉 my boots were new- this was the first hiking trip I used them on and they exceeded my expectations.
Beautiful photos! I have never been to Ghent and now I want to go this year. Thank you for sharing them and for inspiring me to visit this city!
I have never seen such beautiful crystal clear lakes. This is a nature’s abode, a heaven on earth. Thanks for presenting this through your blog.
The Canadian rockies have some of the most beautiful lakes i’ve ever seen. One of my favorite things about hiking is arriving at the end of the trail, and seeing whatever it is you’re hiking towards for the first time.
Grassi Lakes Trail looks very splendid and I am adding this to my wishlist as I am nature lover. Good to know that it is 4.3 kilometer (2.7 miles) out and is moderate hike in the city of Canmore, in Alberta Canada. Canada really has wonderful lakes.
It certainly does, the hike wasn’t too long – you should definitely try to hike it if you visit Banff/that area.
This looks a lovely trail. Long enough so you feel you’ve exercised but not so long, the rest of the day you’re shattered. I’m saving this post for when I finally get to see Canada’s National parks.
Thanks for sharing! You’re absolutely right about the distance. We were doing 2-4 hikes a day for a week… so we had to pace ourselves haha
These photos are absolutely stunning! Thanks for all of the great information- the maps, and suggestions on accommodations are helpful. I’d love to get to Banff and when we do we’ll definitely check out the Grassi Lakes!
You will love it! It’s a great first hike when you get off the plane and head to Banff. It’s so close to the National Park.
Oh my! What gorgeous crystal clear turquoise waters. Wow! Banff NP is on our bucket list for Canada, so I pinned this to refer back when we get to go there. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing! This hike is perfect to stretch your legs on your way to Banff. Try to explore Yoho too while you’re there!
I love finding hidden gems away from the crowds! I’m planning a trip to Banff now and will definitely add this to the list. Thanks for the great guide!
The colour of the water is unbelievable! Will have to stop by this lake next time I am in Banff/Canmore area 🙂
What a fantastic hiking guide! Canada’s National Parks are so high on my list. The alpine scenery is just incredible!
It looks like an amazing area to walk, the colour of the water is amazing! It’s on our wish list, especially after seeing your photos.
I love the Canmore and Banff area, so many gorgeous hikes, all of them with great scenery. When we were visiting Banff we stayed in Canmore, but unfortunately didn’t do the Grassi Lakes Trail–maybe next time!
This lake looks stunning! It kind of reminds me of a small lake I hiked to recently in the Black Forest, Germany. It was prohibited to go inside as a sensitive algae live inside that is on the verge of extinction. I’d love this place too!
Nice photos. Grassi Lakes looks like a great place for a hike.
Looks like a stunning area to hike, and sounds like a good excuse to invest in a new pair of hiking boots. That water looks electric and is so visually complimentary to the surrounding scenery.
These pictures are out of this world! It looks so beautiful!
Grassi Lakes Trail looks gorgeous! I was in that area in 2018, but didn’t know about this trail – will definitely add it to my list for next time!
This was my 2nd visit to the area, and I missed it the first time. It has become more popular over the years – as Banff/Yoho have. It was so much more crowded my 2nd visit.
Beautiful photos. This area is definitely on my list to check out, I’ll add this hike to what I want to do!
Thanks Emma! You won’t be disappointed when you do visit!
I am dying to go visit this area! The Grassi Lakes look gorgeous and a great stop before Banff. I would defiantly be taking the “easy” trail to the viewpoint.
hahahah I don’t blame you! we try to get as much hiking in as we can to see all the beautiful nature, so we try not to wear ourselves out after just 1 hike.
The colour of these lakes is insane! If only I lived in Canada I would hike the area all the time.
I tried talking my partner into moving there and becoming Canadian citizens 😂 he wasn’t having it lol
Everything I read about Canada just makes me want to head there! We spent a lot of time this year exploring Patagonia…I think it’s time now we explored North and headed to Canada. Your photos are so beautiful, I’d love to experience this!
Thank you Nicky 🙂 I would HIGHLY suggest visiting the Canadian Rockies. I’ve visited 2x over the last couple years because the area is THAT beautiful.
Canadian Rockies are so picturesque! I love it there. I haven’t visited this particular lake, but I will next time. The colour of the water is unbelievable.
Yes, these lakes in my opinion were the most beautiful we saw during our road trip through the parks.
You always have such great post and beautiful images, thank you for sharing 🙂
awww thanks for the compliment Ann 🙂