Extend your Run

The Bow River Trails connect the trails on the east side of the valley to those on the west side of the valley, as well as providing a great option on their own. The route that is described here is a mix of gravel, dirt, and a small amount of pavement, but it is possible to create similar routes entirely on pavement and largely on bike pathways.

• The West Bow River Pathway is a wide, paved pathway that extends from downtown to the far end of Three Sisters Mountain Village. It has incredible views of the valley and is stroller and wheelchair friendly.

• Nordic Centre Trails

Local Tips

• These trails are some of the only truly flat trails in the Canmore area. They are also some of the most popular trails with hikers and visitors to town, so you can expect to find people on most sections at any time of day and year. If you are looking for a wilder experience or want to run fast an uninterrupted you might want to consider other options, as you’re almost guaranteed to run into large groups of people and unaware selfie takers on this route.

• Larch Island floods seasonally in the spring and early summer, and is best avoided during this time. You can modify the route here to stick to the wide gravel pathway from the end of 16th Street to Larch Park.

• Elk are a common sight along these trails anytime of year, particularly during calving season (mid-May to early July) and rutting season (late August until mid-October). They are often very unafraid of people and will be just metres off the trail without you realizing it. If you encounter elk on your route, give them at least 30 metres of space and consider rerouting to avoid confrontation. Despite the proximity of these trails to downtown, it’s advisable to still carry bear spray.