Experience Canmore Year Round
Photo Courtesy of Karen Ung
Photo Courtesy ofTravel Alberta / Katie Goldie
Photo Courtesy ofErik McRitchie @erikmcr
Canmore is a vibrant mountain town with endless opportunities for outdoor adventures, fun festivals, and good eats. “Is that the mountain we climbed last time, Mom? It looks so big!” From Centennial Park, Ha Ling Peak does look impressive. It’s one of the most popular scrambles in this area due to its spectacular views. I nod and point out the other Triple Crown of Canmore hikes: East End of Rundle and Lady MacDonald. Should we go for it? Here are some of our top picks for things to do in Canmore:
Take a Hike Surrounded by beautiful mountains, Canmore’s hiking trails have something for everyone: • An evening stroll with your pup - dogs can run off leash at Quarry Lake Dog Park. • Hike up to Grassi Lakes - the “easy” trail is open yearround and is sports stroller friendly; the “difficult” trail (closed in winter) goes past a pretty waterfall. • Explore the interpretive trails at Bow Valley Provincial Park - June is the best time to look for wildflowers. In spring, conditions permitting, bike Bow Valley Park road without cars (until the road opens on May 1). • Come winter, slip on microspikes and walk the frozen creek bed to ice falls and pictographs at Grotto Canyon.
Explore by Bike Paved and gravel bike paths have minimal elevation gain and are never far from great parks and restaurants. For a fun family bike ride, start at Millennium Park Mountain Bike Skills Park and bike the Bow River Loop to West Canmore Park. Enjoy the playground and panoramic views. On the way back, take a shortcut via the Engine Bridge (6.6 km loop). For a longer ride, bike the scenic and paved Legacy Trail from Canmore to Banff (22 km one way). Return the way you came or take ROAM public transit; the buses have bike racks! Head to Canmore Nordic Centre, for a skills park and great network of beginner and intermediate mountain biking trails. Beginners can ride Banff Trail and advanced riders will like Highline Trail, a challenging 8 km trail from Quarry Lake to Three Sisters Boulevard.
Whatever Floats Your Boat Stand up paddleboard at Canmore Reservoir, do some SUP yoga at Quarry Lake, float the Bow, or hit Class 3-4 rapids at Horseshoe Canyon. Whitewater rafting tours are available on the Bow and Kananaskis Rivers.
50 | Enter our Photo Contest
