A Hike To Frozen Troll Falls

The short trail to Troll Falls is located in Kananaskis Country, close to the resort community of Kananaskis Village. It’s approximately a half hour drive from Banff or an hour from Calgary. It’s an easy trail with little elevation gain, making it a popular family hike any time of the year. We have enjoyed going in the winter when the falls are frozen and much more interesting. There’s also a lot less people. It can get very busy in the summer months, especially on the weekends.

The trail is fairly well used in the winter, for the most part it remains as compacted snow an unlike hiking to Johnston Canyon’s frozen waterfalls, it usually requires nothing more than a pair of hiking shoes or boots. After a fresh snowfall it is popular showshoeing destination.

Directions To The Troll Falls Trail head

From Calgary head west on Highway 1 and from Banff head east on Highway 1. Coming from either direction take the exit onto Highway 40 near the Stoney Nakoda Resort.

Continue on Hwy 40 for approximately 25 km’s. Turn right at the Kananaskis Village turnoff. Head past the village towards Nakiska and watch for the Stoney Trails sign. Take the first right onto the gravel road that leads to the Stoney Day use parking area. At the end of the parking lot towards the large power lines look for the Stoney Trail head sign where the trail leads into the forest on the left.

A view of the Rocky Mountains when heading into Kananaskis Country on Highway 40.

The drive into Kananaskis Country is quite scenic.

Navigating The Trail To Troll Falls

The trail starts through the forest and has some minimal elevation before leveling out. When you reach a junction keep to the right following the Troll Falls arrow on the sign.

You’ll reach the end of the canyon where a rock wall encases the frozen falls. Listen carefully and you can usually still rushing water in behind the ice.

For the return route you can keep to the left at the junction and head straight back to the parking lot or take the Hay Meadows Loop along the Kananaskis River. It only adds a few hundred meters to the hike.