Mt. Indefatigable, Upper Kananaskis Lake
Hiking is the primary wilderness activity here in the Canadian Rockies and can be enjoyed by everyone. Discover some our popular hiking trails and the best hiking guidebooks and topographic maps for the area.
Hiking can be enjoyed by everyone and is the primary wilderness activity here in the Canadian Rockies.
Stepping out in Canmore for a leisurely walk is easy. The Trail system meanders through the entire town along the Bow River and through wooded areas and right back to the Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge.
Canmore’s surrounding benchlands and mountains hold hiking adventures for the novice and expert trail blazer. Wildlife is plentiful and if you’re lucky you may catch a glimpse of one of our many neighbours with whom we share this beautiful landscape.
The alpine flora and fauna is magnificent and ‘brag rights’ requires a camera to prove you’ve really experienced the Canadian Rockies.
A few hiking suggestions from Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge’s Staff…
Grassi Lakes
Difficulty Rating: light
Distance: 3.8 km return
Elevation gain: 250 m
Time: 2 hours return
Location: From Canmore, follow the Spray Lakes Road past the Canmore Nordic Centre to just after the end of the pavement. Turn left to reach the parking lot – the trailhead will be on your right.
Description: This wonderful hike climbs through the forest to two beautiful springs. Highlights along the way include a waterfall, wildflowers, and a panoramic view of Canmore and area.
Chester Lake
Difficulty Rating: light to moderate
Distance: 9.6 km return
Elevation gain: 310 m
Time: 3 hours return
Location: Smith – Dorrien – Spray Trail (Hwy 742) at Chester Lake parking lot.
Description: A 45 minutes drive from Canmore, this hike begins with a steep incline on old logging roads. After awhile, the trail flattens out and is surrounded by myriads of alpine flowers. The destination is a jade coloured lake in a fabulous mountain setting.
Georgetown Trail
Difficulty Rating: light
Distance: 7.2 km loop
Elevation gain: 100 m
Time: 2 hours
Location: Canmore Nordic Centre.
Description: Starting at the Olympic Flame at the Canmore Nordic Centre, this trail leads to a historic place: the original coal mining townsite of Georgetown. Tiny minersà homes were floated downstream on the river to be reused at the new townsite of Canmore. A few of these homes can still be seen today on Rundle Drive.
Lake Minnewanka
Difficulty Rating: light
Distance: 3 km return
Elevation gain: 0 m
Time: 1 1/2 hours return
Location: trailhead at Lake Minnewanka parking lot.
Description: This short walk follows the north side of the lake. The well maintained trail leads to the impressive Stewart Canyon. Turn back at the bridge and return to the parking lot. There are picnic and rest areas located along the lakes edge at the trailhead.
Hiking Guide Books for Canmore & Area
Canadian Rockies Trail Guide
by Brian Patton and Bart Robinson
Publisher: Summerthought Publishing
ISBN: 0-919934-90-0
Price: $24.95
Pages: 448
Illustrations: 150 b&w photos, over 100 maps.
Hikers affectionately refer to the Canadian Rockies Trail Guide as ìthe Bible.î When it was published in 1971, it was the first guidebook with accurate distances and detailed descriptions to the trails of the Canadian Rockies. The current edition covers more than 3,400 kilometres of trails in Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay and Waterton Lakes National Parks, plus the provincial parks of Mt. Assinboine, Mt. Robson, Akamina-Kishinena, Peter Lougheed, and Elk Lakes. Trail distances, elevation gains and junction mileages are given with well-written descriptions.
Canmore & Kananaskis Country – Short Walks for Inquiring Minds
by Gillean Daffern
Rocky Mountain Books
ISBN: 1-894765-41-9
Price: $21.95
Pages: 296 – 5.5″ x 7.5″ – paper
Illustrations: 380 colour photos, 68 maps
Kananaskis Country Trail Guide, Volume 1
by Gillean Daffern
Rocky Mountain Books
ISBN 0-921102-31-3
Price: $18.95
Pages: 272 – 5.5″ x 8.5″ – paper
Illustrations: black and white photos and 2-colour maps
Maps for Canmore & Area
Best of Canmore – Map and Guide
Gem Trek Publishing
Scale: 1:35 000
ISBN: 1-895526-19-1
Retail: $6.95
Full color 18 x 24 folded to 4 x 9 inches
Canmore and Kananaskis Village – Kananaskis Country
Gem Trek Publishing
Scale: 1:50 000
ISBN: 1-895526-27-2
Retail: $10.95
Full color 26 x 36 folded to 4.5 x 9.5 inches
Kananaskis Lakes Region – Kananaskis Country
Gem Trek Publishing
Scale: 1:50 000
ISBN: 1-895526-35-3
Retail: $10.95
Full color 26 x 36 folded to 4.5 x 9.5 inches
Banff and Mount Assiniboine
Gem Trek Publishing
Scale: 1:100 000
ISBN: 1-89526-34-5
Retail: $10.95
Full color 27 x 39 folded to 4.5 x 9.5 inches
Lake Louise and Yoho
Gem Trek Publishing
Scale: 1:50 000
ISBN: 1-895526-15-9
Retail: $10.95
Full color 27 x 39 folded to 4.5 x 9.5 inches
