THE BEST THINGS YOU CAN DO IN CANMORE ALBERTA

Canmore, located just outside Banff National Park Alberta, is Canada’s most popular outdoor destination. It’s no surprise that Canmore has been voted one of Canada’s best places to live. This mountain town is located in Kananaskis Country in Alberta, Canada. Banff is often overlooked, but Canmore boasts excellent backcountry trails, microbrew pubs, and great dining.

The Best Things to Do in Canmore, Alberta

Canmore Hiking Trail

Hiking is the best, cheapest, and easiest way to explore Canmore. You can be in the middle of the Canadian wilderness in no time with trailheads right at your doorstep. Canmore is home to the Great Trail, also known as Trans Canada Trail. There are many other trails available.

Ha, Ling Peak is one of the most visited hikes in Canmore. Excellent views can be enjoyed on the 5.4km round trip. Grotto Canyon, another option, starts in Canmore at Grotto Creek’s parking lot. You’ll find rock climbers (or even ice climbers) scaling the canyon walls as you go on hiking further.

Do you need help figuring out where to start? For a great introduction to hiking in Canmore, book this popular guided hike to scenic lakes and waterfalls.

For more challenging views, try the Heart Mountain Horseshoe. It offers stunning views of Grotto Mountain and the Bow Valley. Grassy Lakes, a popular hike that allows you to hike to the waterfall or the lake, is also a popular option.

Are you a first-time hiker in the mountains? This introduction to mountain hiking takes you to alpine locations and high viewpoints in just six hours. Get more details here.

Rock Climbing

This is a must-do item on your bucket list to rock climb in the Canadian Rockies. It was also the first thing you did in Canmore. Canmore is Canada’s most popular climbing area. It offers sport and trad climbing, with the Bow Valley being its main focus. Yamnuska Mountain Adventures took us to the crag for a day. You can either book a discovery climb or take a course for any level. Our guide was great, and we had a fantastic day climbing multi-pitch.

Ice climbing

Canmore is open all year. Outdoor activities are at their peak during the winter months. Ice climbing is one of the best things you can do. Canmore is a top spot for ice climbing. Canmore has many natural waterfalls, and it is ideal for ice climbing.

Yamnuska Mountains Adventures will provide the rope, crampons, and ice axes. They also supply the string and, most importantly, the guides who can put up top ropes for you and show you how to get to the top. It is the most exciting thing we have ever done. Learn more about our experience at.

Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park

The Canmore Nordic Centre is an excellent place for outdoor adventures in summer and winter. This center was built in 1988 for the Calgary Winter Olympics. It has guides and rentals to meet all your outdoor needs. There are so many amazing things to do, no matter what season.

Cross-country skiing

Cross-country skiing is a popular winter activity in Canmore. There are many groomed trails in Kananaskis and Canmore. The Canmore Nordic Centre offers ski rentals, and you can enjoy wilderness trails for beginners to experts.

Snowshoeing

Do you want to take a walk through some of the most stunning views in the world? You can easily do a self-guided snowshoe through the Canmore trails. You can find excellent courses from the town, including Three Sisters Pathway and Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk. The Bow River Loop provided stunning views of the Rocky Mountain Landscape.

Walking trails

There are 70km of trails within Canmore town limits, making it an adventure to go for a walk. The Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk, which spans 700m along a wooden boardwalk that passes duck ponds and other wildlife, is a highlight. You can connect to other trails in Canmore if you’re looking for a longer hike. Another good 5km paved path is Three Sister’s Pathway.

Engine Bridge

It is a short walk to the Historic Engine Bridge. It was built by CP Rail in 1891 and served the local coal mine. Did you know Canmore was a central coal mining town? It was still in operation as of 1979. It is located in an idyllic setting that spans the Bow River and offers breathtaking views of the mountains. This is the ideal spot to take photos.

Three Sisters

Three Sisters is one of Alberta’s most well-known peaks, if not all of Canada’s Rockies. As they rise in the distance, Kananaskis Country is their home; they have become a symbol of Canmore. They are easy to miss and look just like you would imagine: Big Sister, Middle Sister, and Little Sister.

Helicopter Tour

Talking of mountain peaks, getting up in the air is the best way to take in the sights of Canmore’s mountains. It was one of the most memorable helicopter tours we have ever taken. It is fantastic to see the snow-capped peaks and glaciers from high above. Take a helicopter tour of the Canadian Rockies

Book your Canmore Scenic Helicopter Ride Here. The full-day trip begins with a helicopter flight above the Canadian Rockies to a 2.5-hour hike on a high mountain trail. The helicopter then takes you back to your home. 

Mountain Biking

Summer and winter, the Canmore Nordic Centre is in full swing. It offers more than 100km of trails and a lot of fun cycling in the summer. Have you never gone mountain biking before? They have beginner trails and bikes available for rent. It’s a great place to learn how to bike, and it’s a great place to do it in the Rocky Mountains.

Trails are available all around Canmore for experienced mountain bikers. Get your bike up on a rack and get out exploring.

Visit Banff National Park

Canmore is a popular base for exploring Banff National Park. Banff town is only 20 minutes away. You can buy your National Park Pass to enjoy all the park offers.

Skiing and Snowboarding

You can also make Canmore your home base for skiing or snowboarding. Winter accommodations are available for nordic enthusiasts. Like on the hill, you can also enjoy Canmore’s outdoor hot tubs and apres-ski.

Canmore is home to some of the most beautiful skiing in Canada’s Rockies. Sunshine Village can be reached in 30 minutes, while Norquay can be reached in 25 minutes. Lake Louise Ski Resort is located 55 minutes from downtown Canmore.