I fell in love with the Canadian Rockies upon my first visit in the early 1980’s. In 2012, my husband and I moved to Canmore from Ajax, Ontario. We love everything about our mountain home in this friendly, welcoming community of around 15,000 people. It goes without saying that the mountain scenery is absolutely spectacular. Along with that is an amazing variety of outdoor adventure opportunities, great accommodations, fantastic food, great shopping, three jaw-dropping golf courses, extensive indoor recreation facilities and a vibrant arts and culture scene. Canmore is a hub for health and wellness with lots of massage, yoga, meditation, physiotherapy, spas and holistic health services.
Photo credit: Zizka Photography
Canmore is ideally situated just one hour and fifteen minutes from Calgary International Airport. It is the ideal base for exploring Banff National Park. The park border is just 7.0 km away and the Town of Banff is merely 26 km away via the Trans Canada Highway. Popular Lake Louise is 80 km away, which is just about an hour’s drive. Canmore is also an ideal base from which to visit the other mountain national parks: Jasper, Kootenay, Yoho and Glacier/Mt. Revelstoke. But the best-kept secret is the incredibly scenic drive from Canmore through Kananaskis Country by either the Spray Lakes/Smith-Dorrien Rd or the Trans Canada Highway and Highway 40. Along the way are endless photo stops, picnic stops hiking, camping, caving, horseback riding, biking, kayaking/canoeing and skiing opportunities, wildlife and wildflower viewing opportunities. Indeed, the scenery and outdoor adventure opportunities rival that of Banff National Park, but with a fraction of the visitors. Active by Nature offers walking, Nordic walking and photography tours in Canmore. These activities take place year round on the extensive network of over 160 km of paved trails, gravel trails and hiking or biking trails. You can find more information about Canmore’s trail network here: https://canmore.ca/recreation-facility/trails. It is an absolute paradise for people who enjoy walking and Nordic walking!
The benefits of investing in a guided walking or Nordic walking tour upon your arrival in Canmore are:
Main Street Pedestrian Zone
Surrounding the town is an extensive network of hiking trails, most which require a good level of fitness as they involve significant elevation changes. Some of the more popular trails being: the Legacy Trail which connects Canmore to Banff (a pleasant & mainly flat 1.5 hours by bike) the trails to the summits of Ha Ling and the East End of Rundle, the Lady MacDonald Trail, West Wind Pass and the High Rockies trail which forms part of the Trans Canada Trail (The Great Trail). Canmore itself sits at an elevation of 1,375 metres (4,511 ft) above sea level. Active by Nature can also arrange Kananaskis Country hikes and snowshoe tours (in winter) to Chester Lake, Watridge Lake, Lillian Lake, Rummel Lake, the High Rockies Trail, Troll Falls, Cougar Creek (winter only) and Hogarth Lakes (winter only).
Here are some additional resources to help you plan a trip to Canmore:
A sampling of the many excellent accommodation options:
For Active by Nature’s insights into Canmore, month-by-month, visit this webpage.
Canmore's Three Sisters
What to wear & bring (Spring, Summer, Fall):
What to wear & bring (Winter):
Experiences
Reserve OnLine:
It’s as easy as 1-2-3! Simply click the "Book Now" button, select your preferred date to check availability, fill in your personal details and then make a secure payment via credit card. The system will automatically send you a confirmation of your session with the relevant details.
Liability Waiver:
Liability waivers are a necessary part of any commercial activity experience. I recommend that you take the time now to review this legal document that you will be required to sign before we start our clinic or walk together:
View the WaiverYour Health & Physical Activity Readiness:
We ask guests who are experiencing cold symptoms and symptoms of COVID-19 to stay home and practice self-isolation under the direction of the appropriate governing body. For almost everyone, the benefits of physical activity far outweigh any risks. For some individuals, special advice from a Qualified Exercise or health care provider is advisable before becoming more active. This questionnaire is intended for all ages – to help move you along the path to becoming more physically active.
Please review this Questionnaire if you have concerns about your health or fitness level for participating in Nordic walking.
Cancellation Policy:
Full refunds are given if a cancellation is received 24 hours or more prior to the clinic or tour date. No refunds are given with less than 24 hours notice. Clinics/tours go rain or shine. If the weather is extreme, then it may be cancelled with a full refund given.
Parking:
Parking is available on-street or in public lots throughout Canmore. It is a good idea to arrive early on busy days to locate suitable parking.
Restrooms:
Restrooms are available at the Malcolm hotel in the lobby.
Restrooms:
Public restrooms are available within a short walk:
Restrooms:
Public pit toilets are available at all trailheads.
Where to meet:
Starting locations will vary seasonally with instructions included in your booking confirmation.
Parking:
Parking options will vary by location with details included in your booking confirmation.