Four Kananaskis Alternatives to the Big Names in Banff

There are places in the Rockies that almost every visitor sees. And then there are places that most people drive right past.

I'm not suggesting the famous spots aren't worth it. Some of them absolutely are. But after years of building private itineraries out here, we've found a handful of alternatives that are just as good and sometimes better, without the crowds, the shuttle buses, or the feeling that you're being moved through something on a schedule.

Here are four that come up a lot.

Rimrock PathFinders discovering the pristine beauty of Kananaskis with us at the Blackshale Suspension Bridge

Blackshale Suspension Bridge, Kananaskis

Instead of the Skywalk

This one almost didn't make it onto our routes. It's tucked away near Black Prince off the Smith-Dorrien, and it doesn't show up in most travel guides. The hike in is maybe 20 minutes. Nothing serious.

But when you get there, you're standing on a suspended bridge above the trees with the mountains right in front of you. It's elevated, it's quiet, and it feels genuinely remote even though you haven't worked that hard to get there.

Last time I took guests here, they had the whole bridge to themselves. That doesn't happen at the Skywalk.

Troll Falls, Kananaskis

Instead of Johnston Canyon

Johnston Canyon is worth seeing once. But if you've done it, or if you just want something with a bit more room to breathe, Troll Falls is a really good alternative.

The trail is mostly forested, lots of aspen, and it works in any season including winter. There are three distinct waterfall views along the way, and at one point you can actually walk behind the falls. Most people are happy turning around after the first one and that's a perfectly good hike on its own. But if you keep going all the way to Marmot it's worth it.

It's the kind of trail where people slow down and stop talking for a bit. That's usually a good sign.

Spray Lakes, Kananaskis

Instead of Moraine Lake or Lake Louise

I know what people are imagining when they ask about Moraine Lake. The colour. The mountains behind it. That specific view. And I get it.

The Smith-Dorrien corridor has multiple viewpoints along the way, and the combination of open water and peaks gives you the same feeling without the reservation system, the shuttle buses, and the general sense that you're sharing the moment with several hundred other people.

We took a travel writer out here once, the day after she'd been to Moraine Lake. She was a bit burnt out from the crowds but still wanted that mountain and lake view. She was genuinely shocked at how pristine it felt, how quiet it was. She said it was exactly what she'd been hoping Moraine Lake would be.

That pretty much says it all.

Odin enjoying the shores of the Spray Lakes Reservoir at Sparrowhawk, all by himself.

Smith-Dorrien Trail, Kananaskis

Instead of Bow Valley Parkway

Bow Valley Parkway gets most of the attention when people are looking for wildlife. And it's a good road. But Highway 40 through the Kananaskis valley is just as productive and usually a lot quieter.

Elk and Big Horn Sheep are common along this stretch, especially morning and evening. Deer are almost guaranteed. Bear sightings happen regularly enough that it's always worth slowing down. The difference is you're not doing it in a lineup of cars that all pulled over for the same thing.

Wildlife watching is better when you have space to actually stop and watch. That's most of what this road gives you.

More Than Just These Four

These are just the ones that come up most. Part of what we do on private days is figure out which version of the Rockies actually fits you, and build from there. That usually means skipping a few things on the standard list and replacing them with something better.

None of these are secrets that should stay hidden. I'm not trying to keep them to myself. I just think they deserve more credit than they get, and for most guests, they're a better fit than the default options anyway.

If you're planning a day in the Rockies and want to build something that actually fits how you travel, that's exactly what we do - reach out to us at info@peakperfection.ca!