Grassi Lakes, Hiking trail and alpine lakes in Canmore, Alberta, Canada.
The Grassi Lakes trail features two brilliant turquoise alpine lakes accessible via a 4-kilometer round trip hike with 158 meters of elevation gain through dense forest and rocky terrain.
The trail was developed with support from Lawrence Grassi, a renowned Italian-Canadian mountain climber and trail builder who contributed significantly to outdoor recreation infrastructure in the Canadian Rockies during the early 20th century.
The site holds cultural significance with ancient pictographs visible on nearby cliff faces, while interpretive signage educates visitors about local Indigenous heritage and the contributions of early mountain pioneers to regional trail development.
Visitors require a Kananaskis Conservation Pass for parking and should arrive before 10:00 AM on weekends to secure parking spaces, with facilities including outhouses and designated picnic areas at the trailhead.
The lakes display an extraordinary mineral-rich turquoise color caused by glacial flour and limestone deposits, creating one of the most photographed natural water features in the Canadian Rocky Mountain region.
Location: Town of Canmore
Address: Grassi Lakes, Canmore, AB T1W 2T5, Canada T1W 2T5 Canmore
GPS coordinates: 51.07615,-115.40228
Latest update: September 29, 2025 13:32
Alberta offers a wide range of landscapes and activities, from Banff National Park with its turquoise glacial lakes to the geological formations of Jasper National Park. The province is home to natural sites such as Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Athabasca Falls, as well as the Glaciers Parkway that crosses the Canadian Rockies over 232 kilometers. The cities of Calgary and Edmonton enhance this selection with institutions like the National Music Centre at Studio Bell, the WinSport Olympic site, and the Edmonton river valley extending along the North Saskatchewan River. In the Drumheller area, the Royal Tyrrell Museum displays dinosaur skeletons found in the Alberta Badlands. This collection highlights the main places to visit in the province, from mountain areas to urban centers.
Banff National Park
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Banff Springs Hotel
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Sulphur Mountain
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Banff Upper Hot Springs
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Banff Gondola
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Bow Falls
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Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park
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Walter Phillips Gallery
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Canmore Nordic Centre
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Ralph Connor Memorial United Church
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Whitemans Pond
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Banff National Park Administration Building
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Rat's Nest Cave
10.6 km
Canmore North West Mounted Police Barracks
3.5 km
Banff Hoodoos Viewpoint
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Upper Hot Pool Residence
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Upper Hot Springs Bath House
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East Gate Registration Buildings, Building 1
6.6 km
East Gate Registration Buildings, Building 2
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East Gate Registration Buildings, Building 3
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Tarry-a-While
15.8 kmReviews
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