You didn’t move to the mountains because you hate winter. Both Banff and Canmore come alive during the colder months with events.
One of the most beautiful parts of living in the mountains is the access to countless trails, right at our fingertips. In Canmore, there are so many hikes that take you to amazing views and serene forests, and they all start at your doorstep.
Here are some of our favourites.
Quarry Lake
This quarry-turned-lake is a popular local spot that has something for the whole family to enjoy. You can reach the lake by car, or you can access it from the many biking and hiking trails that connect this secret spot to downtown, and all the nearby homes. Quarry Lake is great for swimming in the summer, having a picnic, or just catching some rays. Nearby is an off-leash dog park, so your furry family members can also enjoy this area. From Quarry Lake, there is easy access to local trail networks, including the Powerline Trail, an easy, rolling trail popular with hikers, bikers and dog walkers; The Highline Trail, with a quick connector trail that raises 200m to merge with this popular biking trail; and the connector to the Red Commuter Trail, which brings you all the way to the Bow River.
Cougar Creek Trail
After the floods of 2013, this area was redesigned to prevent further damage. The trail that follows either side of the flood mitigation creek is popular for local commuters getting from the sunny side homes to downtown. The trail also connects to climbing in Cougar Canyon, mountain biking and the popular day-hike up Lady Macdonald. The Cougar Creek trail is an easy rise that’s paved on one side and gravel on the other.
Bow River Loop
This easy and accessible trail boasts riverside access, historic sites and some of the best mountain views around. The best part? It’s right downtown. The loop itself is an easy stroll, and it connects to everything in the downtown core. Follow the trail to Millennium Park and enjoy one of Canmore’s largest outdoor recreation grounds. Follow the trail back along the river and access Larch Island Interpretive Trails, continue to the Canmore Rec Centre, or take the through-town access to the Spring Creek Boardwalk. Cross the river at the Historic Train Bridge, and take the winding Three Sister’s Trail, which is popular with runners and bikers. It’s all connected! And it’s all at your fingertips.
Benchlands Ridge Trail, Hoodoos and beyond
Pick up this trail just after crossing the highway, or from Benchlands Terrace itself. The ridge walk boasts panoramic views of Rundle, Ha Ling and Three Sisters and it ends at the magnificent hoodoos. On the other side of Benchlands Terrace, connect to the Montane Trail and travel to the base of Lady Mac, Cougar Creek and the trail network surrounding Horseshoe Canyon. Caution: some of these trails cross through sensitive wildlife territory. Keep dogs on-leash and respect all signage to keep this area pristine!
Taking time to discover the trails around Canmore is a great way to connect to the community and natural spaces. So step outside, take a deep breath of mountain air and get exploring! Happy trails!
