Short, Scenic Trails to Kick Off Hiking Season

Pick a small hike to get back into the swing of things and remember all that hiking entails

Ah, look at that view! We recently visited Watridge Lake in Kananaskis, accessed from Mount Shark day use area. But instead of x-country skiing to the lake, we were wearing hiking boots.

It felt great to be back hiking, after our usual winter hiatus (yes, you can still hike in the winter, but we tend to prioritize ski boots over hiking boots when there’s snow on the ground).

For us, kicking off hiking season with a short, easy hike is the way to go. That’s because after months away, you’ll inevitably forget something, or many things. In our case, Annalise forgot snacks (!!) and hiking poles and the carabiner she typically keeps on her backpack, while Cailynn forgot sunscreen. So use a short hike to get back into the swing of things and remember all that hiking entails.

The trek to Watridge Lake is about 7.6 kilometres return, on a wide, easy and flat trail (perfect for families).

Once we reached the lake and admired the view, we continued on to Karst Springs, located about a kilometre farther (and pictured at the end of this post). The combination of vibrant green moss, rushing water and mounds of snow made for some cool photos.

And because we had started small, there was time to explore another nearby trail. We hiked on Rummel Lake Trail but just to the lookout, where we admired beautiful views of the Spray Lakes Reservoir and Tent Ridge. Note that to park for both these hikes, you’ll need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass.

While we still found snow on our hikes, you may now find muckier trails. Remember to stay on established trails and avoid trail braiding. And be mindful of annual trail closures — some areas are closed in May specifically to allow the area to dry and prevent damage to trail. Hiking in soft or muddy conditions can damage trails.

For more ideas on shorter trails to ease into hiking season, check out the below post.

Mountain Jaunts to Ease into Hiking Season

Happy hiking!

---

⛰️🥾️ Go Outside is written by Annalise & Cailynn — writers, outdoor enthusiasts and sisters who’ve been hiking, biking and skiing near Calgary since childhood and continue to be happiest outside.

📧Subscribe today and you’ll receive advice, stories, trip reports, interviews and outdoorsy goodness in your inbox on Tuesday mornings.