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Canmore, Alberta

Looking for the best hiking in Canmore? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Canmore. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Canmore

  • Canmore, Alberta

    Mount Lady Macdonald Scramble in Winter

    3.5
    The Mount Lady Macdonald trail begins at Cougar Creek, starting out as a leg burner through the forest, then meandering through boulders, halfway up. The boulders, sparse forest, and views of the Bow River Valley make for a classic mountain landscape that isn't always offered by forested walks to...
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  • Canmore, Alberta

    Rock Climb at Cougar Creek Canyon

    4.0
    3.1 mi / 49.2 ft gain
    From the TransCanada highway, take the second exit into Canmore (from either direction), and head uphill on Elk Run Boulevard. At the top of the hill, across from the Iron Goat restaurant, there is a three way intersection, head right across the bridge and take an immediate left into the parking ...
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  • Canmore, Alberta

    Hike to Grassi Lake

    4.5
    2.4 mi / 820.2 ft gain
    To get to the Grassi Lake trailhead, continue past the Nordic Center about 2km and take a small left when you reach a junction between a gravel road and a paved road. You want to be on the paved road, as this will lead you down to the Grassi Lake parking lot. The trail starts right behind the res...
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  • Canmore, Alberta

    Hike Grotto Mountain

    7.5 mi / 4429.1 ft gain
    From Highway 1A take the exit to the Alpine Club of Canada. Park near the woodpile as the actual parking lot is for Alpine Club customers. The trailhead about 30 metres up the road from the woodpile.The start of the trail is fairly relaxed but it quickly becomes a steep uphill battle. There are t...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    East End of Rundle Scramble

    4.4
    4.7 mi / 2880 ft gain
    This well marked, fun hike that has a bit of everything, from easy forest walking, to steep slabs, minor hands on scrambling, and a scree slope to the summit.From the parking lot, head north up the hill, where the trail begins around the power poles. There a few different paths to start, so it's ...
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  • Canmore, Alberta

    Ha Ling Sunrise Hike

    4.1
    5 mi / 2296.6 ft gain
    Start at the Goat Creek parking lot and cross the road towards Ha Ling. There is an access road with a gate on the other side. Walk up the road and across the bridge. From there the trail is obvious and will lead you to the summit. Overall it's a fairly easy hike with switchbacksOnce above tree l...
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  • Canmore, Alberta

    Trail Run on the Wind Ridge-Bow Valley

    8.4 mi
    Wind Ridge is a 7,217 ft / 2,200 m mountain peak near Canmore, Alberta, Canada, with spectacular views into the Bow Valley. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible from May until November.Take the Spray Lakes Road from the town of Canmore for 22km. The trail head is just below th...
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  • Canmore, Alberta

    Hike Pigeon Mountain

    Important note: trail closure from December 1 - June 15th.Altitude: 2,394m (7,852 ft)Elevation gain: 990m (3,247 ft)Round trip: 6-6.5 hours (15 kms)Heading West from Calgary on Trans Canada Highway #1 - take the Dead Mans Flats overpass, and go South for 1 -1.5 kms until you reach a parking lot. ...
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  • Bighorn No. 8, Alberta

    Icewalk in Grotto Canyon

    3.5
    To get to the trailhead, take Highway 1 and take the Seebe exit (Highway 1X). Continue north on Highway 1X and take a left at Highway 1A. A few kilometres after the town of Exshaw, turn into the parking lot marked by the Grotto Pond sign.The trailhead is well marked and follow the trail until the...
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  • 51.064574,-115.203550

    Hike Grotto Creek

    3.7 mi / 410.1 ft gain
    This is a great hike that could be a quick 2 hour sprint or stretch into a full day affair.  The trailhead is located just off Highway 1A at a fishing pond with outhouses and ample parking.  The trail is well signed and in a quick kilometre, hikers will be at the actual creek bed. In summer, hike...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Snowshoe to Old Goat Glacier

    6.2 mi / 2296.6 ft gain
    The trialhead is found on West Side Road on the west side of Spray Lakes Resevoir. In winter, West Side Road is closed to vehicles due to dogsled tours, but is still open to walking - it's a pretty neat experience to get passed by a dozen sled dog teams. Since the road is closed, it adds an extra...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Hike up Windtower Mountain

    5.0
    6.2 mi / 3182.4 ft gain
    Spray Lakes is one of my favorite areas in Kananaskis, and the view of Spray Lakes from the summit is absolutely breathtaking.The trailhead is located along the Smith-Dorrien Trail (Spray Lakes Road) – look for a yellow sign on the eastern side of the road, about 1 mile (1.5 km) south of the Drif...
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  • Bighorn No. 8, Alberta

    Hike through McGillivray Canyon

    1.0
    Between Pigeon Mountain and Mount McGilliveray, pull off the road and slow down until you see a little dirt road turn off to the large parking area.Follow the trail heading south- don't take the transcanada trail- further up you will find another small trail that takes you to the creek bed. Follo...
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  • Bighorn No. 8, Alberta

    Heart Mountain and Grant MacEwan Scramble

    2.0
    A bit of a jaunt is required to get to the start of the scramble - follow the Heart Creek Trail, and after crossing the creek, look for a yellow sign that marks the scramble route. There will be exposure as well as use of hands, but it is totally do-able as long as you keep your head right!After ...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Hike Spencer Creek

    2.5 mi / 1968.5 ft gain
    South of the Driftwood turnoff (approximately 4 km) on Spray/Smith-Dorrien Trail a large creek bed on the east of the road is the beginning of Spencer Creek. The trail is easy enough to find, just have to do a bit of looking.Once on the trail, you'll basically have no trouble at all. The trail it...
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  • Bighorn No. 8, Alberta

    Summit Door Jamb Mountain and Loder Peak

    4.0
    If you're looking for views, vistas, and great scrambles in the Rockies, this is a great place to start. For any geology enthusiast, furthermore, this hike cannot be missed, offering great opportunities to search for some seriously ancient fossils.The trail begins on the west side of the parking ...
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