Top 10 Easy Canmore Hikes with a View
Canmore is a hiker’s paradise. That’s true for hardcore hikers, but the town is equally amazing for anyone looking for easy Canmore hikes. You don’t have to go all the way to the summit of a mountain to get breathtaking views in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, and there are few better options for people looking for comfortable accommodations, great food, bars and quick access to incredible hiking trails.
Staying at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre gives you a perfect place to rest your head and fuel up between your hikes, too, as our convenient location makes it easy to get to the mountains.
Here are 10 easy Canmore hikes we think you should try!
Top 10 Easy Canmore Hikes
1. Grassi Lakes
This easy Canmore hike truly shows off the most spectacular side of the Canadian Rockies. The easy route will take you up a gentle incline to an utterly sublime turquoise lake, and there’s a slightly more challenging route that’s manageable for most casual hikers and takes you past a waterfall you won’t want to miss.
The Grassi Lakes themselves are absolutely beautiful, and if you’re looking for easy Canmore hikes, this one simply can’t be missed.
2. Grotto Canyon
Just a short drive from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre is Grotto Canyon, and it’s truly one of the very best easy hikes in Canmore. Winding through a narrow canyon with high vertical rock walls where climbers love to spend their summer days, this amazing hike can be completed year-round. However, precautions should be taken during the winter when there’s snow and ice on the ground.
Located just off Highway 1A, you’ll spend your first couple of minutes hiking past a factory, but trust us, it gets much better from there on in. You’ll follow a creek through the mountains, stopping to take in the jaw-dropping views of Mount Lougheed before exploring the unique canyon itself.
You can stop and turn back wherever and whenever you choose, but this easy Canmore hike won’t leave you disappointed.
3. Three Sisters Creek
The Three Sisters mountains are iconic and provide the backdrop to so many incredible Canmore adventures. This easy Canmore hike won’t take you right to the top, but it will take you to two waterfalls and get you some absolutely stunning views of the Three Sisters themselves.
The Three Sisters Creek Trail is approximately 3.4 kilometres long, and it’s estimated that most people complete it in just over an hour. However, the rewards and breathtaking views make it completely worth it.
4. Quarry Lake
Quarry Lake can get busy on hot summer days, but that shouldn’t scare you off. The Quarry Lake Trail is only 1.3 kilometres and will generally take between 30 minutes and an hour, but as one of the most popular easy hikes in Canmore, every step is gorgeous.
The small lake is popular for swimming and cooling off in the summer heat, and there’s a loop for walking and hiking that meanders around the beautiful, revitalized former mine. With an off-leash area right next to Quarry Lake, there’s lots of room for your pet to run and play, too.
For the adventurous, some trails branch off from the main path.
5. Jura Creek Canyon
Located just east of Exshaw, this is one of the easiest hikes in Canmore for families. Jura Creek Canyon is super family-friendly, and because you can choose how far up the canyon you want to go, it’s entirely up to you how long it takes.
But the views of the canyon are worth it for anyone looking to explore easy hikes around Canmore. It’s possible to do it any time of the year, although it can get a little wet in the spring and early summer. If you’re looking to stay dry, it’s best to visit from July to October.
6. Heart Creek Interpretive Trail
Located right off the side of the Trans-Canada Highway, the Heart Creek Interpretive Trail is easily accessible for anyone staying at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre. It’s an in-and-out trail that’s 1.3 kilometres one way while following a narrow canyon and crossing seven bridges.
This is a perfect hike for families, even if their kids are still very young. Dogs are welcome, too, but they must be kept on a leash.
7. Three Sisters Viewpoint
While this is definitely not the most challenging of the easy Canmore hikes on this list, that doesn’t mean it isn’t worthwhile. In fact, the views of the iconic Three Sisters alone make it a must-do for anyone visiting Canmore and looking to take in some of the most incredible mountain scenery they’ll find anywhere on the planet.
Located just off the Bow Valley Trail on the south end of Canmore, you’ll follow a rocky creek bed for around 1 kilometre before entering a magical clearing with an out-of-this-world view of the Three Sisters. If you visit in the summer, you’ll get to see it reflected on a small, serene alpine pond ahead of you.
8. Larch Island Interpretive Trail
This gentle 1.9-kilometre loop is easily accessible from anywhere in Canmore. The trail doesn’t have much elevation, but it’s a great family hike due to the incredible views of the surrounding mountains and informative signs along the way that offer insights into the Bow Valley’s natural history. Park at the Larch Ice Rink parking lot for the easiest access.
9. Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk
Located right in the heart of town is Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk, and it’s only a few short minutes away from the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre, so you could easily leave your car parked and take off for your picturesque adventure.
Enter the boardwalk from the Big Head sculpture, and you’ll find yourself suddenly transported to an incredible mountain path. The views of the mountains can’t be beat, and just because you’re in town doesn’t mean there isn’t wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled for elk and deer as mountain songbirds soundtrack your hike.
There are multiple entry and exit points that connect to Canmore’s vast trail system, so this easy Canmore hike can be as long or as short as you choose.
10. Bow River Loop
The Bow River Loop Trail winds through the centre of Canmore and at 2 kilometres, ensures you won’t get lost but can still break a sweat surrounded by breathtaking mountain vistas.
This trail is perfect for casual hikers, families and anyone with dogs. The best access point is the parking area by the Bow River Bridge. However, part of what makes this one of the best easy Canmore hikes is its accessibility, as you can easily walk to the trail from downtown Canmore.
Stay at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre for Your Next Hiking Adventure
While the Canadian Rockies are a destination for so many of the world’s most experienced outdoor enthusiasts, there are so many incredible, easy Canmore hikes, too. Staying at the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre makes it simple to get out and explore and then come back to a pet-friendly hotel with an indoor pool and hot tub, cozy and comfortable rooms and one of Canmore’s best restaurants, TABLE Food + Drink.
To get started on your next hiking adventure in Canmore, book online today or call us at (800)716-6199.
FAQ
Are hikes in Canmore pet-friendly?
You can bring your dog on almost every easy Canmore hike, but you will need to keep them on their leash. There is a lot of wildlife in the area, so it’s important that dogs do not disturb them. Canmore is an incredibly pet-friendly town, with many off-leash areas.
Are there pet-friendly hotels in Canmore?
If you’re planning your next hiking adventure in Canmore, you don’t need to leave your dog at home. The Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre would love to have you and your pet stay with us, and we’ll provide a pet bed, dinner bowl and treat for them when you arrive.