Going counterclockwise lets you get started with a long, gradual incline, slowly building to the best parts (Celeste Lake and the ridge). Mount Lady Macdonald. Lets face it, if youre already in Canmore then youll probably venture to Canmores tourist neighboring town of Banff at some stage. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Why Visit Cuba? Many of the hikes are clustered either around the Lake Louise area or along the Icefields Parkway. Just make sure you REALLY know were to go and make sure you have a map! Also, be aware during the descent when you get back to the tree line that theres a part where the trail bisects into an alternative trail down the main gully to the left (not the rock gully everyone talks about, but one you re-enter the tree line). When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. The pair I use is only $37 CAD and they have lasted me 3 seasons so far! As for the hike, it is a pretty gradual, easy climb to Larch Valley (stunning in late September larch season, although presumably still pretty nice any time of year), at which point the trail flattens out for a while at the pretty Minnestimma Lakes, with Sentinel Pass looming in the background. It is only the Beginning. My personal favorite viewpoint at Moraine Lake is the one at the Rockpile. There was a bit of smoke haze obscuring the views but the scenery was still exceptional. I remember at least 2-3 scrambling sections that might be too much for beginner scramblers. Hot Tip: If youre visiting Lake Louise in winter, you can actually just walk across the frozen lake to this viewpoint, cutting a little distance off the hike. The Blackshale Suspension Bridge is a unique hike near Canmore for the simple fact that it is the only one with such an impressive suspension bridge to explore at the end! Youll see both Canmore town below you in the distance and Ha Ling Peak too. Stay away from these areas as rockfall is very common. Realted Read: Hiking Grotto Canyon is one of the best things to do in Canmore in the month of December read our blog for more info on seasonal and festival events during this popular time to visit Canmore! We lost the trail since the beginning of the hike without knowing we were completely off! Depending on the descent this way, can easily get into a dead end with cliffs not safely climbable without proper equipment. Want more hikes like the ones listed in this post? Quarry Lake Loop trail itself is more of a walk rather than a hike and the most challenging part about visiting Quarry Lake is finding parking. Poles for the descent were helpful. The loop starts from Willow Rock Campground and covers 2.5 km (1.5 miles) from the campground washrooms. On the way down (or up) youll hit clear, placid Celeste Lake, spend some time in the trees, then get up close to Laughing Falls and follow the river back to Takkakaw Falls, the second highest in Canada. It is located up on Tunnel Mountain just near the campground. Of course, its likely youll have most of the basics already but there are some common items people forget that I never travel without. Distance:11km roundtripTime: 5 -7 hoursElevation Gain:950 m, Why its awesome:Epicalpine with endless views. You are only one click away! Look for the odd ribbons and Cairns. ORDER the paperback book Hikes for Families: A Guide to the Canadian Rockies here. The 5.4 km round trip route gives you awesome views. Required fields are marked *. I've done lots of Kane moderates and I'd say this is on the upper level of moderate difficulty. We downclibed and went up to the right of the ridge. Whether you're getting ready to hike, bike, trail run, or explore other outdoor activities, AllTrails has 122 scenic trails in the Canmore area. If you want to explore the Banff National Park area then try these 10 Easy Hikes in Banff National Park. Have you hiked these trails near Canmore?Which is your favourite?Comment below! Sam Zimmerman. If you dont want a crowded trail or wait in a huge line at the teahouse, leave early in the morning. So, awesome views on the top! Best Hikes in Canmore: Which Trail Will You Explore Next? | 10Adventures 11km / 4 hrs / 800m (AllTrails shows too much gain), https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/alberta/sarrail-ridge-via-rawson-lake-trail. This is a steep one! Pocaterra is an incredible one-way ridge hike that offers incredible views and you don't have to retrace your steps on the way back. Getting to both involves climbing the switchbacks at the far end of the lake. Great scramble (not a hike as it's quite steep). The 2.1 km (1.3 miles) loop climbs over 220 metres (721 feet) to spectacular views of Elk Pass and Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes. Insider Tip for Families: If you cannot make it to the destination then there is no need to worry. Ha Ling Peak is a moderately difficult hike because it is steep. We only saw about a dozen other people all day. It's located on the portion of Highway 40 in Kananaskis that's closed December 1 to June 14, so summer and fall are your only options to hike Ptarmigan Cirque. My legs were burning not even a quarter way up. It is also fairly exposed so definitely make sure youve got plenty of water especially if its a hot day out! Although it isnt my favorite trail in Canmore, it is a good option for those looking to stay close to town and wanting to see hoodoos too! You can check the prices and book Copperstone Resort on Booking.com. The other unique thing about it hardly any people. Stop at Windy Pass, which, true to its name is very windy, or continue on to the Windtower summit for even more views - and more wind. After that you continue down, down, down through the trees back to the trailhead. If you want to skip walking across the highway, you can park at either Cougar Creek or the Benchlands Trail Bike Park. very steep and scrambled. Located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, just east of Banff National Park, there are literally dozens of terrific hikes near Canmore, offering even more convenient hiking options than its much more famous neighbour. Park at the off-leash dog park just on the edge of Canmore. Don't know where to begin? The trail offers only the occasional view of the mountains but ends at a stunning mountain lake. How to Hike the Chester Lake Trail in Kananaskis Alberta Bring a helmet! My best advice is to visit first thing in the afternoon or later in the day for sunset. Easy Hikes - Canmore & Area Grassi Lakes Grotto Canyon Policeman Creek Boardwalk Heart Creek Bunker Bow River West Path to Three Sisters Pathway Bow River Loop Canmore Hoodoos Loop Honourable Mention Other Hikes What to Take Where to Stay in Canmore Easy Hikes - Kananaskis Country Rawson Lake 8km / 2.5 hrs (including lunch) / 400m elevation gain ! And deciding which scramble path to take. Round trip was close to 7.5 km and 1265m elevation. Had to cross a lot of unstable scree and large rocks to find occasional slabs climbers right. But you can still hike to Grassi Lakes via the other trail, and doing so is one of the best winter activities in Canmore! For those seeking as much excitement as possible, including squeezes, rappels, and Once you reach the heart-shaped peak, you'll be treated to views of the Bow Valley, Heart Creek Valley, Lac des Arc and Grotto Mountain. Insider Tip for Families: This hike is a fun snowshoe trail in the winter however make sure you do not pass Warspite Lake as the area is an avalanche risk zone. 8 Best Hikes at Lake Louise | PlanetWare Trailhead Address on Google: 3JHG+62 Canmore, Alberta. Located only about 13 kilometers away from Canmore along Highway 1 A (on your way from Calgary to Canmore), Grotto Canyon is one of the most unique hikes in the Canmore area. poles would be helpful. In the summer months, its not uncommon to see groups of people lounging at the waters edge. Unfortunately took a wrong turn on the descent and ended up in the gully below tree line which was no fun. Flowing Water Interpretive Trail is a quick and easy trail 18 minutes East of Canmore. Rating in the book Hikes for Families: A Guide to the Canadian Rockies. Its about 2-3 meters before the exposed ledge so its easy to stay close to the pinnacle and avoid the ledge. Its a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. The trail is open from June 15th to November 30th. There is also a snowy part a little after the start in the middle of the valley. Because the trail is not very popular, it is much less crowded than the other trails in the area making for a peaceful hike. Check out these excellent kid-friendly hikes in Kananaskis and Banff. From here, the views of the Three Sisters is picture-perfect. Oh, and did I mention the views from the hotel windows are breathtaking! Many hikers miss this spot, so if you have never been to Grotto Canyon and are not sure where to find them, ask someone on a trail or before you start your trip. At only just over a kilometer long and no elevation gain, this easy trail takes you from the car parking lot around Quarry Lake and back again. Most people visit Quarry Lake to spend an afternoon as opposed to just walking the trail that is really quick. Elevation gain: 125 meters. 1. It is ONLY the best value if you are traveling alone and only plan to visit a national park for one day. The Best Trails in Canmore, Alberta (Canada) 231 trails (2) Show map. The gully is nasty and takes up a lot of energy. Ice cleats will come in handy during the winter months too when there is ice on the trail. The Best Hiking Trails in Canmore, Alberta (Canada) 124 trails (1) Show map. This includes the most popular parks like Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Glacier, Mount Revelstoke and so much more. Would also highly recommend a bringing a helmet and poles (and enough water). Best winter hike in Kananaskis: Troll Falls, Grassi lakes Trail, and Grotto Canyon Trail. With it being more central for hiking, brimming with outdoor activities and other things to do, a more affordable place to stay and far less touristy than Banff, Canmore was our first choice as one of the stops on our slow travel in Canada fall of 2020, and we quickly started working on our list of the best hikes Canmore, Banff and Kananaskis Country had to offer while the weather held. Check out our blog about all of the fun things to do in Banff in September. Total elevation from Lake Louise is approximately 535 meters (1,755 feet). However, bears can smell the food in your bag while youre hiking and the best way to avoid an encounter is to use a scent-proof bear bag. Duration: 20-25 minutes. Awesome time - lots of laughs, loved the cliff jump, Jonas was a great guide and knows loads about the area. The first part of the Larch Valley Trail is a bunch of switchbacks as you climb through the forest. Meanwhile, for some completely different scenery, check out: The Best and Worst of Drumheller Camping. Even if you arent going to climb up to the Devils Thumb or Big Beehive it is worth walking around to see the lake from the other side. Pinterest. Coast Canmore Hotel is located right in the heart of downtown Canmore walking distance from 8 Street (Main Street in Canmore), and just across the road from the Canmore Shops where you have a selection of restaurants, cafes, and takeaway places. Grassi Lakes Hike Overview. My alltrail map didn't download, I don't know why. The majority of this trail is done climbing straight up rocks.I was the only one on trail do your research before doing this climb and be sure to be prepared and have proper gear also Id recommend not following alltrails maps. me, moderate, but as I headed down lots of great holds and it isnt what it looks like from the top, continuing left along the base of the cliffs with a light dusting of snow remaining, I then traversed right again once the cliffs ended and picked my way to the summit which has fabulous views in all directions and a great look down on the finish to Middle Sister. Ribbon Creek Trail 27 Hiking Trails By BenLar137 The full meal deal (Ribbon Creek and Ribbon Lake) is 24 km's, or about 15 miles return distance - not in everybody's. 2. Lake Agnes is absolutely stunning and the hike to get there is definitely worth the extra effort.