Canmore

Faith, Hope and Charity are the names given to the peaks of the Three Sisters Mountain that symbolizes the town of Canmore, Alberta. On your visit to Canmore, take a half-day hike from the town for a closer look at the peaks or bring the right gear for a more challenging climb. A nearer summit hike to Ha Ling Peak takes 3 or 4 hours with proper footwear and provides a stunning view of the town and its surroundings.

If you prefer to stay on the level with a family outing, Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk follows a 2.4-mile (3.9-kilometer) nature loop from the center of town. Follow a more strenuous path along the Grassi Interpretive Trail, which rewards hikers with a waterfall and spellbinding lakes in aquamarine tones. Cyclists also use the paved Legacy Trail that covers the 14-mile (22-kilometer) distance between Canmore and Banff.

Year-round beauty in the area is captured by the town’s artistic community in plenty of galleries. Avens Gallery offers a showcase of work from Western Canadian artists. Attend one of many festivals throughout the year, such as February’s Canmore Winter Carnival, August’s popular Canmore Folk Music Festival and September’s traditional Canmore Highland Games and epicurean Canmore Uncorked Festival. Plan to include ice-skating on a downtown pond in your itinerary.

Travel 10 minutes east of the town for a challenging hike up Grotto Mountain with even more stunning views. Look for the Grotto Canyon Trail, a year-round marvel that snakes between limestone cliffs and includes a waterfall and cave.

For geological and historical information about the area’s beauty and features, Canmore Museum and Geoscience Centre offers resources on the town’s early beginning as a coal-mining center. Learn the reason for the high concentration of fossils found in the vicinity.

Travel to Canmore by driving from Calgary toward the Rocky Mountains, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) on the Trans-Canada Highway. Shuttle and charter services are also available from Calgary and Banff.