Canmore Hikes, a year round pastime.
Canmore’s location within the Bow valley offers unique opportunities for hikers of all abilities in and around town. Enjoy a stroll along the Bow River to a coffee shop, or a more adventurous hike up Ha Ling Peak. There are also paved wheelchair accessible trails. With 160km of trails within Canmore’s boundaries, what are you waiting for!
Preparation
It’s a good idea regardless of the time of year to get a report on conditions as this is critical to a successful and enjoyable hike and don’t forget we are subject to the Chinook winds in Southern Alberta. One minute it can seem like a warm day and then the wind direction changes and you are in the midst of a blast of an icy spell. The winds begin as moist weather patterns originating off the Pacific coast, cooling as they blow ashore, they then climb the western slopes of the Canadian Rockies, warming significantly as they drop down the eastern side of the mountains. Although these winds tend to effect towns south from Canmore we still feel and see the effects. “Chinook” is a native word meaning “snow eater.”
Make sure you are carrying adequate water with you. You should have at least 1 L minimum per person. It may look very tempting to drink the water from a mountain stream, however, they can carry harmful bacteria. Even if the stream looks clean and clear you may become sick very quickly. It is also a good idea to carry some food with you. When walking in cold weather you will burn off more calories. Even if you are reasonably fit you can run out of energy very quickly. What seemed like a short walk to your destination can become a very long and tiring walk back to your condo or car. This can also be compounded by the altitude if you are not used to exercising. If you are planing a more ambitious hike then tell someone where you are going a what time you expect to be back.
Bow Valley West Download Map Here
Bow Valley East Download Map Here
Bow Valley Legacy Trail Download Map Here