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The Heart Creek Trail near Canmore - a Perfect Hike for Kids
- andrewsco3
- May 1
- 7 min read
Updated: 8 hours ago
Don't overlook a trail just because it's considered easy. As Alberta locals, we've explored most of the kid-friendly hikes in and around Canmore, and Heart Creek Trail is one of our all-time favourites.
The Heart Creek Trail is a short, family-friendly hike just off Highway 1 near Canmore. It's only an hour’s drive from Calgary, making it one of the more accessible options when you're short on time, or want to fit in a quick hike on a summer evening.
It’s also a great stop if you’re passing through on a Canadian Rockies road trip and want to stretch your legs.
There's plenty to keep kids entertained, including navigating multiple river crossings, watching climbers scale the canyon cliff faces, and a paddling in the creek by a small waterfall at the end.
These kinds of details are exactly what help keep kids engaged, and one of our best tips for hiking as a family is to look for trails with features like this. If you’re planning to hike with kids this season, don’t miss our post on tips for hiking with kids, it’s full of practical advice we’ve picked up over the years.
The trail can also be hiked year-round, making it one of the best hikes for kids near Canmore, no matter the season.
If you’ve already tackled this trail and are looking for other trails to explore nearby, you might enjoy these other wonderful hikes close to Canmore.
Keep reading this blog post for all the information you’ll need to hike the Heart Creek Trail, including key details of the hike, and plenty of photos so you know what to expect!
Table of Contents
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Table of Contents:
Heart Creek Trail Hike - Key Information
In a rush? Here's some key information about the hike at a glance.
Distance: 4 km round trip (out and back)
Elevation Gain: Minimal (gentle incline throughout)
Difficulty: Easy – great for all ages and experience levels
Time: 1.5 to 2.5 hours (depending on pace and breaks)
Best Time to Go: Year-round (microspikes recommended in winter)
Permits: Kananaskis Conservation Pass required. We have written a Q&A to answer all questions about the pass here.
Kids: Highly recommended – fun and manageable trail for children
Dogs: Allowed on leash
How to Get There
Heart Creek Trail is just off the Trans-Canada Highway near the hamlet of Lac des Arcs. From Calgary, head west on Highway 1 for about an hour and take the Heart Creek exit just past the Lac des Arcs viewpoint.
If you're coming from Canmore, the drive takes around 15 minutes, or about 30 minutes from Banff. Follow the short access road to the Heart Creek Day Use Area, where you'll find the parking lot and trailhead signage.
The parking lot is fairly spacious and includes toilets, an information board, and a few picnic benches. The lot does fill up quickly, especially on weekends, so try to arrive early if you can.
Remember, a Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required to park here. The trailhead is clearly marked, and the path begins just behind the signage.
Heart Creek Trail Map:
The Start of the Trail
The hike begins with a short uphill section that runs parallel to the highway, so you may hear some traffic for the first half-kilometer or so. That said, you’ll also catch a few valley views along this initial stretch - especially near the parking area.
Don’t worry, this is the steepest part of the trail and it only lasts about 100 metres. In winter, it can be icy, and in early spring it often gets muddy as the snow melts, so watch your footing and take your time.
After about 0.6 km, the trail begins to veer away from the highway and head toward Heart Mountain. There’s a bench at this point where you can take a break and enjoy some nice views of the mountain.
You'll come across a sign marked "Quaite Creek." Unless you're interested in doing the Heart Mountain scramble, stay to the right and follow the sign for the 'Heart Creek Interpretive Trail.'
The (Many) River Crossings
This is where the trail starts to get more interesting, as it follows a gentle creek through a wide canyon, crossing back and forth over the water on several sturdy log bridges. In fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever hiked a trail with so many bridges to cross!
It’s worth noting that most of the river crossings could probably be done without using the bridges - we did many times with our dog Ellie, as she loves the water.
After several river crossings, the canyon widens, and you’ll find yourself walking along the riverbed, occasionally dipping into short sections of trail through the forest.
As you continue, the canyon walls rise higher around you, and in several areas, you'll spot climbers scaling the canyon walls.
The Waterfall
At the end of the trail, you’ll find some picnic benches, so it is a great place to stop for a quick snack or a sandwich. This is also where you’ll hear the sound of a waterfall, though it’s difficult to see unless you're willing to get wet. Not advisable in April that's for sure!
You can get partway there by carefully navigating over large rocks and logs, unless you're up for wading waist-deep in ice-cold water to reach it.
Compared to some of the more dramatic hikes in the Kananaskis area, the "end" of this trail might feel a little underwhelming.
But the more I hike it, the more I appreciate the simplicity of the spot. It’s peaceful, with kids paddling in the creek and the soothing sound of water - it’s incredibly relaxing. Honestly, it’s the kind of place you could sit down and read a book in the sun!
Once you're done splashing around in the creek, simply head back the way you came. Evelyn took a tumble over a tree root and ended up with a scraped hand, so after a quick bandage from the first aid kit, I got the honor of carrying her most of the way back.
It’s the kind of thing I’ll probably miss when she’s too big to carry - even if my back won’t!
The Heart Creek Trail - FAQ
Is the Hike kid-friendly?
Yes, the Heart Creek Trail is very kid-friendly! It’s a relatively short and easy hike with minimal elevation gain, making it great for younger children. The trail is well-maintained and offers plenty to keep kids engaged along the way.
Is the Hike Dog Friendly?
Yes, the trail is very dog-friendly. We took our golden retriever and had no issues at all. Just remember to keep dogs leashed, as required.
What Wildlife Might I Encounter on the Trail?
Despite how popular this trail is, on a previous visit a group passing us on the trail mentioned that a black bear had been spotted in the area. It’s a good reminder that even on busy trails, you can still come across wildlife. The Canadian Rockies are bear country, so if you're visiting outside of deep winter, be sure to carry bear spray and know how to use it.
What to Take With You
Good Hiking boots – Make sure the whole family has some good hiking boots. In the winter you will need some form of traction device, as the trail does get icy.
Hiking poles – Hiking poles aren't really needed on this trail, but some might find them useful.
Ice Cleats - in the winter these are essential. Our girls wear Kids Ice Cleats by High Stream Gear that we bought from Amazon. They've worn them a few times and we are really happy with them so far. Me and Susie both have the Kahtoola MICROspikes and really like those as well. Neither of these are affiliate links; just products that we like.
Food and Water – We recently bought both of our kids Camelbaks so that they can drink on the go and it has been a game changer! Bring plenty of snacks and gummy treats! There are some nice benches at the end of the trail where you can eat your snack.
Dress in Layers - Weather can change quickly in the mountains. Dressing in layers lets you adjust to whatever comes your way
First Aid Kit – I always recommend bringing a basic first aid kit in your bag as a precaution. Evelyn fell over on this one and we needed to fix her up - it doesn't take up much space in your bag.
Bear spray – This hike is in bear country so bring bear spray if doing this hike in the summer.
Enjoy Your hike
If you enjoyed this hike, why not try some of our other favourites in the area?
The McGillivray Creek Trail (leads to a large chockstone wedged between canyon walls
The Grotto Canyon (a great hike in both summer and winter)
The Jura Creek Hike (also great in the summer and winter)
Canyon Creek Ice Cave (Involves a bike ride followed by a short scramble to the ice caves)
Ha Ling Peak (a challenging but rewarding first summit for kids)
Yates Mountain (great views over Barrier Lake)
If you are looking for accommodation, we recommend both of these hotels - they are on the higher end, but make for a really special stay:
MTN House by Basecamp (a spa is opening up in November 2025)
Kananaskis Mountain Lodge (a luxury hotel in Kananaskis country which recently hosted the G7 Summit, includes an outdoor heated swimming pool and next to the Nordic Spa)
As always, if you have any questions about the hike feel free to ask away in the comments section!
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