Before we made a home in Canmore, we researched all the best things to do in Canmore, like you! Canmore offers visitors many attractions, great restaurants, and stunning views, especially for a small Canadian mountain town. It is one of the most beautiful towns we’ve ever visited. Whenever I walk out of the grocery store here, I am blown away by the in-your-face mountain views.
Nestled in the Canadian Rockies, Canmore is any outdoor fanatics’ dream. There are so many things to do in Canmore and the surrounding region that it’s hard to get bored.
It also has retained some down-to-earth charm Banff lost years ago as it sees millions of tourists a year. If you’re heading to the area, read our favorite things to do in Canmore.
Canmore, Alberta also neighbors the famous Banff National Park but is far less heard about internationally. It’s a stunning town in the Canadian Rockies, well worth a visit.
A Brief History on Canmore, Alberta
In the 1880s, Canmore was known as a mining town and remained that way throughout most of the 20th century. It wasn’t until recent years that the town became a tourist destination.
Donald A Smith was an employee of the Canadian Pacific Railway and, in 1884 named the town Canmore, which originates in Scotland. The name Canmore has its origins in Scotland and comes from the Gaelic phrase “Ceann Mòr,” which means “great head” or “big head.” This name was given to Malcolm III, who was the King of Scotland in the 11th century, and who was known as Malcolm Canmore or Malcolm Ceann Mòr. The town of Canmore was named after Malcolm Canmore.
In 1887 the first mine was opened in Canmore, and it wasn’t until 1965 that Canmore was incorporated into a town with just 2000 residents. In July of 1979, Canmore Mines Ltd. closed their last mine. In 1988, the Olympic Winter Games were held in Calgary (anyone else remember Cool Runnings?), which marked a change for the town of Canmore. The town would be the site of the Nordic events, and The Canmore Nordic Center was developed to host the events.
The town of Canmore was put on the map as a Canadian tourist destination and is now well known as another destination to visit in conjunction with Banff National Park when traveling around the Canadian Rockies.
Faith, Hope, and Charity, the individual mountains that make up the Three Sisters Mountain, are majestic and easily recognizable icons of Canmore (called the Big Sister, Middle Sister, and Little Sister).
At nearly 10,000 feet, they’re hard to miss, and that’s a good thing because experiencing these stalwart giants is one of the best things to do in Canmore, Alberta, that you won’t want to pass up.
Three-Sisters-Canmore
The Three Sisters in Winter
The mountain’s bare, rocky peaks contrast dramatically with the lush, green pine forests that envelop them at lower elevations.
You can scramble up the Middle Sister and Big Sister; however the Little Sister is for serious rock climbers only. These are long and hard scrambles that should not be attempted unless you have experience hiking and scrambling in the Canadian Rockies.
If you want to get up close to the mountains, you can enjoy a helicopter ride in Kananaskis, though be aware it is expensive, but it will give you a unique view that most will never get to appreciate.
Or you can always do what most people do, snap plenty of photos, and enjoy the view.
Hike in Kananaskis Country
Not everything takes place in Banff National Park. Canmore is situated between Banff and the Alberta Park, called Kananaskis Provincial Park. Kananaskis is often thought of as the foothills to the Rockies, but there are some tremendous hikes in Kananaskis. Don’t make a mistake and underestimate them as there are some massive mountains and hikes in the park.
It’s also great for fewer crowds on the weekdays and finding wildlife. On the weekend, it is very popular with Calgarians having fun in the mountains, still far from the madding crowds of Banff.
If you’re looking for two of our favorite hikes, check out Tent Ridge or Wasootch Ridge. You can also check out Sarrail Ridge, Burstall Pass, East End of Rundle – There are too many to name!
Scramble Up East End of Rundle
East End of Rundle (EEOR) is one of the most popular hikes in Canmore. It’s a beautiful hike that offers visitors astonishing views over Canmore, the Bow Valley, and Ha Ling Peak. Although, just because East End of Rundle (or EEOR, or “Eeyore” as locals like to call it) is close to town doesn’t mean it’s an easy climb up to the summit.
EEOR trail is a 5.8 kilometer out and back trail that gains more than 800 meters of elevation. It’s certainly a steep and strenuous uphill battle for almost the entire hike. There are hardly any flat parts, and the climb starts right from the car park.
There is moderate exposure and some scrambling required, but nothing too scary or difficult for the average to the advanced hiker. We are reasonably fast hikers and completed the trail in four hours with a 45-minute summit beer stop at the top and about 15 extra minutes for sunset photos. If we were really moving with no long stops, we could have done EEOR in under three hours.
The average hiker will probably be able to summit in two hours and descend in 1.5 hours. If you are slower, five hours round trip is probably a safe time to estimate.
GUIDE TO EAST END OF RUNDLE HIKE
The first Highland Games were held in Scotland in the 11th Century. It’s no small coincidence that they were the brainchild of King Malcolm III, whose nickname was ‘Canmore.’
The games’ strenuous events were used to test the physical prowess of local men to determine which of them would make the fittest and suitable royal messengers.
Drawing visitors from around the world each year, the event has been held since 1991 and occurs during the first weekend of September. With a mandate to promote Scottish ancestry and heritage, the event includes lots of kilts, bagpipes, and a caber toss too. You can purchase tickets in advance online, sign up to volunteer, and even apply for a vendor spot if you’re so inclined.
Play a Round of Golf
One of the best things to do in Canmore in the summer is play a round of golf. This beautiful mountain town is surrounded by some of the most beautiful golf clubs in the world.
Enjoy a round at the Stewart Creek Golf Course or Silvertip, which gives the most beautiful views of the Three Sisters, Cascade Mountain, Pigeon Mountain, and Ha Ling Peak.
The Three Sisters Pathway is our favorite walk in Canmore, plus it’s a great option for bikers and runners. Chances are you might even see us on the trail taking in the epic views of the Three Sisters.
The trail is a mix of gravel and paved paths that follow the Bow River downstream to the Three Sisters. As the trail moves alongside the river, it passes several meadows, creeks, and forests.
We’ve seen a lot of wildlife along the trail, in particular birdlife along the river, and consider this trail one of the best things to do in Canmore. There is also a good chance you’ll come across some elk as they’re plentiful, especially in the winter months. Don’t worry about mountain views as they’re everywhere.
The trail is accessible from the Canmore Boat Launch along the Bow River and sees less than 100 meters of elevation gain depending on how long you walk or bike. You can make this walk as long or short as you want!
