Small StepsAbout Canmore
Located in Alberta, Canada – Canmore is nestled in the Bow Valley of the Canadian Rockies. It is known for its stunning mountain scenery and outdoor activities. It’s convenient location makes it the perfect place to stay for a visit to Banff City and Banff National Park.
Canmore to Banff
There are a few options available to get from Canmore to Banff.
- Hire a Car: Only 20-30 minutes by car. If you’ve rented a car you can drive from Canmore to Banff via Hwy/AB-1 W and park in the free parking lot here or here.
- Public Transit: Roam buses will take you to Banff via route 3. Check the schedule here.
- Rent a Bike: Rent an e-bike or regular bike and ride along the Legacy Trail. A paved bike path that connects the two cities.
- Rent a Motorcycle or Scooter: The ride between the two cities is straightforward and would be a great place to enjoy the views from a motorcycle or scooter. Rentals are available in Banff and Canmore.
Getting to Canmore
Canmore is conveniently located 20 minutes away from Banff and less than an hour and a half away from Calgary airport by car. There are private shuttle and transfer services you can book as well to get you to and from the airport to Canmore.
Take a Stroll Along Bow River
There are a couple trails that take you along and around the Bow River: The Bow River Loop and Bow River Trail.
Bow River Loop: 1.3 mile circular route that is frequently populated with fellow walkers or runners. Enjoy a leisurely stroll after a long day of outdoor activities. The walk takes around 30-35 minutes to complete.
Along the route check out the Canmore Engine Bridge used during the filming for The Last of Us. Then continue up the trail and enjoy a leisuring walk along the river.
Bow River Trail: A longer, out-and-back trail that is 3.7 miles long. It takes about an hour and a half to complete. Popular for bird-watching, hiking and fishing. The trail starts at the Rundle parking lot and is a mix of paved and single track walkways. You’ll enjoy beautiful views of the trees and the river along the way.
NOTE: It looks like the trail takes you further south down the river and towards Canmore Sulfur Mine. Check out Google Maps or other trail guides to see just how far you can walk along the beautiful Bow River. You can also check out the South Canmore hiking trails.
Shop, Dine, and Snack Downtown
Enjoy local flavors at Lovely’s ice cream. A highly rated ice cream shop with delicious ice cream scoops and sandwiches. We enjoyed an incredible brownie and caramel ice cream sandwich along with a lemon ice cream in a waffle cone cookie.
Grab a breakfast bagel at Rocky Mountain Bagel Company. Very popular amongst locals and tourists alike. The bagels themselves are somewhat average on their own, but the sandwiches they create with them are delicious.
Get dinner at one of many delicious restaurants in town. I highly recommend Fergus and Bix. We really enjoyed our food there and wish we had time to go again. But we had great food everywhere we ate in Canmore. We were told by locals that rent is high so bad restaurants don’t last.
Grab a souvenir. Get well priced souvenirs at Big Bear Trading Company. In the mood for something more unique (but maybe a little pricier) then stop by Stonewaters.
Go for a Hike
Situated 20 minutes from Banff National Park, there is an abundance of hiking trails to choose from between the two. To find hikes that suit your preferences check out All Trails for Canmore. Grotto Canyon and East End of Rundle are two popular options. My favorite was Grassi Lakes. An absolutely gorgeous lake situated at the top of the hike. You will hike near a cascading waterfall up until you reach the lake at the top. It takes about 45 minutes to reach the top. It can be slippery with water trailing down so be mindful of your footwear.
NOTE: There are actually “two” lakes at the top. It’s technically one lake that feeds into the other. But when you arrive at the top you’ll come across the first one that feeds into the waterfall. Follow the trail past that lake to come to the main lake. It is gorgeous! If you look closely sometimes you might see rock climbers preparing for their climb in the distance.
Go Cross-Country Skiing or Mountain Biking at the Canmore Nordic Center
The ride up can be confusing and cell coverage is a bit spotty – I’d recommend driving to the center and renting a bike from the facility located directly on the grounds. Otherwise you might be exhausted by the time you climb your way to the center. The trails are relatively well marked, but as with most trails keep alert and take a picture of the map. Bears have been spotted in this area so be sure to bring bear spray, even when biking. Check out more on the trails at the Nordic Center website.
Take a Walk down Policeman Creek Trail
This is one of my favorite walks in the area. A well cared for and maintained boardwalk that takes you right downtown along a beautiful stream. It is absolutely beautiful anytime you go with crystal clear water. It’s a short walk, about 15-20 minutes. We enjoyed happy hour at Bridgette Bar (located right at the trail head) then we’d take the boardwalk to downtown. There we’d stroll through the shops and grab ice cream from Lovelys on the way back to our hotel.
Honorable Mention: Go White Water Rafting
We didn’t get a chance to do this, but it is highly recommended in the area. If you have the time and interest, then give white water rafting a shot. White Wolf Rafting has a variety of rafting tours for all ages and skill levels. Check them out on Google maps here or their website.
Bear Spray Disposal in Canmore
Before you leave be sure to dispose of your bear spray at the local fire department, they have a dropbox there. It’s extremely convenient! Don’t leave it with the hotel since it is registered in your name.
If you’re interested in visiting Canmore in the summer, check out my guide for what to wear. If you’re looking to get further off the beaten path, consider a trip to Revelstoke and Mount Revelstoke National Park. A few hours from Canmore, but definitely up-and-coming. Conveniently located near Yoho and Glacier National Parks.
