Hiking Troll Falls
It’s a sunny day in the shoulder season and with non-mountain guests visiting we needed a short-but-sweet hike that didn’t involve heights while still showing off the beauty of the Canadian Rockies. Luckily, Troll Falls trail in Kananaskis Country is an easy, wide path that leads to a cool waterfall and the drive to get there is worth the views.
Perfect.
The drive to Troll Falls takes about 40 min from Canmore and just over an hour from Calgary. It’s easy to access: Take the Trans-Canada Highway to Highway 40 and drive to Kananaskis Village. You’ll see signs for Troll Falls parking lot. There’s plenty of parking, but this area is popular with other trails and activities, so try to avoid at peak times and have a backup plan in case there is no parking (We recommend the Blackshale Suspension Bridge as a backup. It's farther to drive, but it's also a fun-for-everyone hike with a solid reward. Some other easy hikes include Heart Creek Trail, Watridge Lake and the extra trail to the Karst Spring, and West Wind Pass).
The trail itself is wide with an easy tread and it’s well groomed. There isn’t much elevation gain, but it’s not totally flat either. It’s great for people who aren’t used to hiking, and you can even bring a high-quality stroller along the trail to the first waterfall. It’s not paved, but it’s wide enough and level enough to get to the lookout.
Troll Falls gets its name from a rock that looks suspiciously like a troll’s skull. Admittedly, you have to look at it from the correct angle, but it still makes for a fun story and some fun photo-ops if you get the lighting and the positioning just right.
The first falls are the tallest, and they cascade into a bowl below. There are barriers in place so people don’t get injured by rock slides, but you can still get close enough to appreciate the falls and their beauty. A fellow hiker told us that some cultures revere waterfalls as a kind of spiritual presence. Staring at this one, we could feel it.
After the first falls is the climb to the second – also called Marmot Falls. This hike is steeper than anything so far, but it’s still a short-and-sweet trek with a great reward. Marmot falls is a smaller version of the main falls, but the fun part is you can walk behind the waterfall and feel the spray. It also makes for some great photo ops.
The hike to the upper falls completes the journey. The upper falls aren’t as impressive, but it’s still a beautiful walk to some stunning scenery, and you never know who you might meet along the way.
To walk back, follow the signage for the “recommended loop” through Hay Meadows. Walk through the aspens as they open up to stunning views along the Kananaskis River. This spot is frequently used by volunteers tracking raptor migration, and there are signs about various birds, including bald eagles, falcons, hawks, and golden eagles. This is also a great spot to sit on a bench, look at the mountains, and enjoy lunch.
This hike can be done in an hour, but between stopping for photographs, talking with new friends who we met along the trail, sitting and eating lunch with the best views around, and generally dilly-dallying to take in the scenery, we did it in a leisurely two. This hike is excellent for children, people not used to hiking, and even people who are because the reward of the waterfalls is stunning and accessible.
So next time you’re looking for a simple hike, consider the trail to Troll Falls.
Some things to consider when hiking in the mountains:
- There’s wildlife. Especially this year, with the bumper crop of berries, there are bears everywhere. Bring bear spray and know how to use it. Make noise while hiking and pay attention to your surroundings.
- Be considerate. Of other hikers, of wildlife, and of the trail itself. Don’t litter, don’t be rude. And never – never – feed wildlife.
- Dress appropriately. The weather at the trailhead might be different than the weather in town, so make sure you have the appropriate layers and good footwear.
- There is no cell service throughout the majority of the Canadian Rockies, and even simple trails like this can have their risks. We recommend bringing a satellite communication device, just in case.
