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Sugguested Hikes
Hiking:
The best way to explore Canmore and the surrounding area is by foot. With a network of walking trails throughout downtown, along the Bow River and across mountain valleys, make sure to bring your camera! Some of the trails lead to the lovely Quarry Lake where locals enjoy a relief from the heat with a morning dip, or go for a stroll to find a rustic old railway bridge, past majestic hoodoos and find yourself wandering into the slopes of the Benchlands. Give yourself plenty of time and wear sturdy walking shoes for a hiking tour of the area as there is lots to discover!
Grassi Lakes - Moderate/Short, but oh
so spectacular! This describes the Grassi Lakes trail
to a tee. The trail is a 5 km loop which begins just past
the Canmore Nordic Centre at the base of the Smith-Dorrien/Spray
Trail. The trail begins on a fire road, but quickly turns
left onto a wooded trail. Before long, it opens up as
it climbs towards some wonderful views of a waterfall.
As you crest the summit of the climb, the lakes are only
a short distance away. Turquoise and green in colour,
they seem like magical pools as they sit at the base of
an ancient coral reef. Above the lakes, atop a short loose
scramble, native pictographs can be seen. Please refrain
from touching the pictographs, and caution is advised
for those climbing to view these ancient images.
Riverside Loop - Easy. A good trail right
in town. Walk alongside the Bow River for some of the
most spectacular scenery in Canmore. Parking available
downtown or on River Rd.
Goat Creek - Moderate. This 18 km trail
drops 291 meters (957 ft.) from the summit of Whiteman
Pass, to its terminus at the Banff Springs Hotel. It is
wide and generally smooth, following former fireroad for
much of its distance. It is most popular with mountain
bikers, and hikers looking for a lengthy day-hike. Traversing
the entire length of Mount Rundle, you are treated to
numerous views of its steeply bedded slopes. Most riders
prefer to have a vehicle waiting at the Banff Springs
trailhead to prevent the need to return along the same
trail. A popular cross country ski trail in the winter.
Start at the parking lot on the Spray Lakes Rd. and hike
to the Banff Springs Hotel.
Grotto Canyon - Easy. This short trail
offers a glimpse at the power of water as it follows a
narrow runoff channel towards a delicate waterfall at
trails end. The valley has been carved smooth by the action
of running water leaving polished limestone. Along the
way, if your eyes are keen, you may see some fading native
pictographs. Damaged by years of being touched by curious
onlookers, and by climbers ignoring their significance
and climbing right over them, they are rapidly disappearing.
Please respect their sensitivity and refrain from touching
them. A popular hike just outside Canmore. Take 1A to
Exshaw 14 km.
Heart Creek - Easy. From a signed highway
pullout, this quiet trail parallels the highway for a
short distance before turning sharply upstream to follow
Heart Creek. The valley quickly narrows as the stream
bounces its way towards its junction with the larger Bow
River. The trail offers views of steep limestone faces,
some regularly challenged by rock climbers. At the trails
end, a tiny waterfall hides around the corner just out
of view. For those willing to accept wet feet, it is worth
freezing them to view this pleasant cascade. During high
water, stay safely on dry ground.
Heart Mountain - Expert. If you love altitude,
and don't mind exposure, this trail may be the one for
you. Beginning at the Heart Creek Day Use area, along
the shores of Lac Des Arcs, it follows Heart Creek Trail
for a short distance before assaulting the ridge. When
the climbing begins, it continues unrelenting to the summit.
there are no switchbacks, just straight climbing along
a narrow, steep ridge. Why would you want to endure such
a trail? One look over your shoulder as you climb this
trail will give you the answer. The entire Bow valley
spreads beneath your feet. This is a trail for expert
hikers only.
Ha Ling Peak (China man's Peak) - Moderate.
If you like a challenge with a rewarding view, this hike
is the one for you. This trail begins with a consistent
incline of switchbacks through a mossy forest. This continues
until you reach the tree line where you reach full exposure.
Don't forget your sunscreen, from this point forward you
have no shelter from the sun! The second half of the hike
is a challenging hike over loose rocks with an undefined
trail until you approach the summit where small rocks
turn into larger boulders. The view of the Bow Valley
you see from the top is one you will never forget as you
cautiously peak over a straight plummet to this mountains
base. This hike is worth the challenge and is definitely
a thrill seekers dream! Make sure to bring extra layers
as the wind at the summit is sometimes chilly. A very
popular hike in Canmore. Take Spray Lakes Road passed
the Canmore Nordic Centre and park in Goat Creek Trail
parking lot. Ha Ling Peak's Trail head is on the opposite
side of the road up the hill and across a bridge. |
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