Casual Strolls
Short Walks from Downtown Canmore
Click map to enlarge.
Throughout the town, there is an amazing system of trails which is largely packed stone, and is well suited to casual strolls for folks with very little kids, and anyone who wants the option of very short picturesque strolls. In its entirety, the system offers a number of connecting trails which can be linked together to create a tremendous running course. Trails in this system have minimal elevation gain, and are accessible by chariots, bikes with training wheels and normal (non-sport) wheelchairs.
Engine Bridge
The map to the right identifies the primary in town walking trails (trails highlighted with dashes within the highlight), which are definitely flat and are surfaced with hard packed gravel in clay, or in some cases they are actually paved. It is important to note that not all wheels (on baby carriages, strollers and or wheelchairs) are created equal.
A cautionary word; while all the highlighted trails shown are easy walking and generally hard packed, we recommend if you are using non sport wheelchairs, strollers or carriages with small wheels that you restrict your trail selection to the trails which lie between 11th and 13th Street on the map and all highlighted trails shown to the south of 13th Street as indicated by the green compass point on the map indicating S (south). These trails will remain fully navigable even during particularly wet periods.
As the waters of the Bow River create a recognizable landmark, and the most scenic of the in town walks follow the river, the following will assist in your navigation. The northern end (top) of the map we will refer to as the “Upstream end”. This is in reference to the flow direction of the Bow River. So as you move from the top to the bottom of the map page you then will be moving in a “downstream” direction.
Pedestrian Bridge
From the point at which the compass symbol is located on the map following the highlighted trail downstream, you will discover an amazing stroll which could take anywhere between two and four hours depending on your pace. A number of riverside benches dot the trail, and should you have little folk with you, you will discover strategically placed playgrounds within the first 15 minutes of heading downstream from the engine bridge.
Old Lamp House
Downstream of the Engine Bridge the only other structures spanning the river are the 8th Ave bridge and immediately beside it, the Pedestrian Bridge. From this point continuing downstream, likely in the range of 30 minutes to one hour of strolling you will eventually arrive at a location which is both stunning and for myself a little magical. The Prospect is a beautiful open plateau where you will discover the ruins of the old Lamp House (from the coal mines of Canmore), and the sealed entrance to the old number 2 mine, Canmore’s largest and most productive mine in its day.
As you enjoy these in town trails and easy walks, do keep in mind that we are blessed with being in a truly wild place and you may well see elk, and other wildlife as you stroll around town.
Location: 907A 7th Ave
Phone: 403-678-1295
Hours of Operation
9:00am - 5:00pm daily