Nihahi Ridge

If you're looking for a fairly tame hike with some amazing views, Nihahi Ridge is the way to go. About an hour from the Southern edge of Calgary, this hike starts near the Little Elbow Campground and takes you up and away into the mountains. Within 40 minutes you really begin to feel like you're in the middle of nowhere, but there are still enough people around to not make you nervous.

When you arrive, the trailhead parking is outside of the campground. It's about a 10-15 walk to the actual start of the trail, but it can be a little confusing if it is your first time out. Just make sure to keep heading to the end of the campgrounds, following the river North(but quite a ways below you) until you get to the path that leads to the trail head. There are also some interesting looking trails out to the west of the campground, with a large suspension bridge leading across the river and off to some other trails.

The beginning of the trail is tame, with some rocky and rooted sections to get your blood pumping. Keep following the switchbacks up, and eventually you will arrive at a clearing with some amazing views of the mountains around you. You can park it here and relax for a while or continue on up. Melissa and I stopped here on our way back down to eat our lunch.

Once you pass the clearing the trail starts to get a little tougher. You follow some smooth trails up to a rockier section with a handrail, and from there you are mostly climbing through rocky sections up to the summit, but this is where the views are absolutely amazing. A fellow hiker told us that it was about another half a kilometre up to the peak of Nahahi Ridge, but at some point we looked up and decided we didn't have it in us to make it to the top, although by the sounds of it you can continue to follow the ridge to create an extremely long hike.

No matter how far you make it up the trail, I'd say it's worth it. Being a 45 minute drive from the city's southern edge, you suddenly feel like you're in complete wilderness(because you pretty much are). You can safely get your wilderness adventuring on out here and be home in time for dinner. Just make sure you pack water, layers and emergency supplies in case of inclement weather or if you get lost. Bear spray is probably a good idea too, as myself and nearly everyone I saw in the area had some on them.

Maps can be picked up in Bragg Creek on your way out, or check the Alberta Parks website for more info on the area and Kananaskis.