Trail Running in Canmore, Banff and the Canadian Rockies

Around Canmore

• Bow River Trails 

• Backyard Loop Trails (10 km)

• Canmore to Three Sisters (9km) 

• Canmore Nordic Centre - "Get In to Green Orchid" Loop (5 km)

• Canmore Nordic Centre - "EKG" Loop (8 km)

• Highline Trail and Loki Trail  (6 to 20 km)

• Horseshoe Loop + G8 Loop + G9 Loop (6 to 12 km)

• "Goats of Grotto" Loop (10 km)

• Montane Traverse (6 to 17 km)

• Guy Lafleur Trail - Three Sisters to Dead Man's Flat (10 km)

• Trans-Canada Trail - Dead Man's Flat to Heart Creek (15 km)

• Wind Ridge (13 to 15 km)

• Rundle Riverside from Canmore to Banff (20 km)

• Mount Allan via North Centennial Trail (20 to 25 km)

• Mount Collembola to Mount Allan Loop (25 km)

• 'Round Rundle - Mt Rundle Circumnavigation (41 km)

Kananaskis - Highway 40

• Quaite Valley - Prairievew - Jewell Pass Loop (21 to 27 km)

• Baldy Pass to Old Baldy Pass Trail

• Midnight to Tiara Peak to Porcupine Ridge Traverse (22 km)

• Wasootch Ridge

• Galatea Creek to Ribbon Creek Traverse (21 km)

• Upper Kananaskis Lake Loop

• Northover Ridge (35 to 40 km)

Kananaskis - Smith Dorrien Trail

• North and South Buller Pass Loop (16 km)

• Tent Ridge (11 km)

• High Rockies Trail (any distance)

Banff to Castle Junction

• Lake Minnewanka and Aylmer Lookout (Any distance)

• Healy Pass and Egypt Lake (18 to 30 km)

• Cory Pass to Edith Pass Loop (13 km)

• Bourgeau Lakes and Harvey Pass

• Rockbound Lake and Castle Mountain (18 to 28 km)

• Armor Peak to Castle Mountain Traverse (30-32 km)

Lake Louise to Field

• Lake Louise Teahouse Circuit

• Larch Valley, Sentinel Pass and Eiffel Lakes

• Paradise Valley to Moraine Highline - Mt Temple Circumnavigation (26 km)

• Skoki Loop (36 km)

• Lake O'Hara Alpine Circuit (25 to 45 km)

• Iceline Trail (15 to 21 km)

• Emerald Lake Triangle (21 km)

Icefields Parkway - Highway 93 North

• Molar Pass

• Helen Shoulder to Cirque Peak

• Bow Hut and The Onion

• Wilcox Pass

Highway 93 South

• Stanley Glacier (15 km)

• Floe Lake (20 km)

• The Rockwall (56 km)

• The Rockwall - South Loop Variation (40 km)

• The Rockwall - North Loop Variation 

• Vista Lake to Ball Pass Trailhead (29 km)

• Vista Lake to Sunshine Village (40 km)

Classic Long Runs in the Rockies

• Iceline Trail (15 to 21 km)

• Rockwall Trail (39 to 56 km)

• Banff to Assiniboine to Mt. Shark (60 km)

• Skyline Trail (45 km)

• Northover Ridge (35 to 40 km)

• Lake O'Hara Alpine Circuit (26 to 45 km)

• Plan that it will take you longer than the same distance on roads or somewhere where the trails are flatter
• Bear Spray: people do  encounter bears on trails from time to time. Carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it is a habit you should have if you are going to run in the mountains. Being loud, avoiding using headphones and running in groups is also a great way of reduce wildlife encounters. More details here

• Water/hydration: From bladders and soft flasks to pocket filters (like a Katadyn BeFree), you will want to bring water on runs longer than 60 to 75 minutes. Light running vests like Nathan or Ultimate Direction allow you to carry you phone, water, some food and extra clothes. Keep in mind that you will need more water if you run in the sun on a very hot Summer day. 
• Phone or Emergency Satellite Device: Most areas around Canmore get cell reception and telling someone where you’re running and some sort of ETA for return times can make sure someone is looking for you if something goes wrong. In the backcountry, carrying an emergency satellite messenger like an InReach is recommended. 
• Respecting the trails: the trails run through sensitive ecological areas. Please stay on the marked trails and respect trail closures. Practice and educate yourself on "Leave no trace" ethics.

See you on the trails!