Canmore Alberta Grassi Lakes and Ha Ling Peak Hikes

Why visit Canmore

Canmore began as a coal mining town in the 1880s and was named after Malcolm III of Scotland, nicknamed Canmore.

Today it is a place to stretch your legs. Mount Rundle looms over the valley, trails start almost at your door, and Banff is only a short drive away without the crowds of its busier neighbour.

The setting is the main draw. Within minutes of downtown you can be walking beside a glacial river, looking up at limestone peaks or setting out for a mountain lake.

In town and on the nearby trails

Main Street

Main Street, also known as 8th Street, is the heart of downtown. It is lined with cafes, galleries, brew pubs and small shops, and the whole centre is easy to cover on foot.

Canmore Museum

The Canmore Museum looks after the town's history, from the first mines to the Olympic years. It also cares for the old North-West Mounted Police barracks on Main Street, which was restored in 1989.

Canmore Nordic Centre

The Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park lies just west of town at the foot of Mount Rundle. It is a legacy of the 1988 Olympics, and in winter it is known for cross-country skiing.

Grassi Lakes

The Grassi Lakes are a pair of small lakes about 1,525 metres above sea level, reached by a short, popular trail from a car park above town. They are named after Lawrence Grassi, an Italian miner who built many local trails.

Ha Ling Peak

Ha Ling Peak rises directly south of Canmore, just east of the Spray Lakes road. The summit hike is steep and best for fit walkers who have checked the weather and trail conditions.

Peaks, lakes and parks nearby

The Three Sisters

The Three Sisters, Big Sister, Middle Sister and Little Sister, form the most recognisable skyline above Canmore. The Stoney Nakoda also tell stories about the peaks.

Spray Lakes Reservoir

Spray Lakes Reservoir lies at about 1,720 metres, between the Goat Range and the Three Sisters ridge. The scenic Smith-Dorrien Trail, Highway 742, follows its northern shore.

Bow Valley Provincial Park

Bow Valley Provincial Park was established in 1959 where the Bow and Kananaskis rivers meet. It offers forest walks, meadows and trout fishing in the Bow River.

Kananaskis Village

Kananaskis Village lies on the west shore of the Kananaskis River at the base of Mount Kidd, within Kananaskis Country. It is a handy base for walks and viewpoints, and some bus trips from Calgary stop here.

Banff Upper Hot Springs

A short drive away in Banff National Park, the Upper Hot Springs are the highest hot springs in Canada.

Food and local flavors

Alberta is cattle country, so Alberta beef is the classic order, and many Canmore restaurants serve steaks and burgers made from it.

For dessert, look for Saskatoon berry pie. The saskatoon is a western Canadian berry that grows wild across the prairies and foothills, and it makes a sweet, slightly nutty filling.

Main Street is the easiest place to restaurant hop, with brew pubs, bistros and corner cafes close together.

Where to stay

Main Street puts you in the middle of the cafes and galleries, so it suits visitors who want to walk everywhere and leave the car parked. It can be lively in the evening, so ask for a quiet room.

Bow Valley Trail is the main road through town and is lined with hotels, lodges and condo style stays. It works well for families and groups who want kitchens and parking, and it is a short drive or bus ride from downtown.

Harvie Heights is a small hamlet just outside the Banff National Park gate, ideal if you prefer chalets and a calmer setting.

Best time to visit

Summer, from June to September, is the best time for hiking, biking and lake visits, although higher trails can hold snow into early summer.

Winter brings cold, bright days and good conditions for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and dog sledding.

If you visit in shoulder season, expect some trails and facilities to be closed or limited, so check opening details on official websites before you go.

The Canmore Folk Music Festival takes place over the first weekend of August and fills the town with visitors, so book rooms well in advance if you plan to attend.

Getting there and getting around

Most visitors fly into Calgary International Airport and then drive Highway 1 west for about an hour.

Without a car, the Banff Airporter and Brewster Express run from the airport to Canmore in about an hour and twenty minutes. Rider Express and FlixBus also serve the town along the Trans-Canada Highway.

The town centre is small, and most places are a short walk or bike ride apart. Roam Transit runs buses within Canmore and on to Banff, and local taxis cover the rest.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Walk Main Street, visit the Canmore Museum, then hike to the Grassi Lakes. Finish with Saskatoon berry pie after dinner.

Second day

Drive the Smith-Dorrien Trail to Spray Lakes Reservoir and look back at the Three Sisters.

Third day

Visit Bow Valley Provincial Park or Kananaskis Village in the morning.

Practical tips

• Check current trail and road conditions before every hike or drive on the Smith-Dorrien Trail.
• Carry layers, water and a map, since mountain weather changes quickly.
• Keep a safe distance from wildlife and never feed animals.
• Ask about park and conservation passes before entering Banff National Park or Kananaskis Country.
• Book accommodation early for summer weekends, the folk festival and ski season.
• Arrive at popular trailheads early, because car parks fill by mid-morning.