I had always wondered why there were so many cars parked along the south side of the Trans Canada east of Canmore. It's the trailhead for the Heart Creek Trail (easy), for further hiking up the valley beyond the end of the trail (moderate), for a scamble up Heart Mountain (moderate scramble), and for oodles of rock climbing (photo 4). On this day we did the easy hike and watched the climbers, who were the majority of those along the trail. The creek trail is an easy 2-3km stroll with several easy crossings, seven in all, to a small waterfall at the end of the canyon.
NTS Map:
Elevation Gain: 100 m (328 ft).
Directions:
The trailhead is officially just off the Trans Canada highway just east of Lac Des Arcs (follow highway signs - Heart Creek/Lac des Arcs), which is about 14km east of Canmore. The unofficial trailhead is about 400m east where people just pull off the highway.
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ByPosted By: ADesouza
- Wed Aug 01 03:38:35 EDT 2012
UpsideEASY PEASY! :)
DownsideSuper busy because any age (including children and seniors) could walk this. For the first km you are surrounded by highway noise until the trail turns away from the highway and Ekshaw plant.
CommentI would consider this a leisurely walk, but don't expect any form of challenging hike if that's your preference. Its a short 3km into the falls and you return the same way. No doubt, its a beautiful walk, but the highway noise I mentioned took away from the walk as you feel like you are in a city, not the wilderness. A simple walk to enjoy the mountains if you are looking for a non-challenging way to enjoy the mountain scenery.
ByPosted By: tongie
- Sun Jul 22 11:14:30 EDT 2012
UpsideGreat with kids, especially with all the bridges. Easy, and safe. Even with the climbers you don't have to worry about falling gear or rock as the climbing is mostly off the main trail. Falls are great if you scramble up the little shelf or traverse around the little buttress on the opposite side of the stream.
DownsideBusy Busy Busy.
ByPosted By: stephaniet
- Wed Mar 07 10:45:55 EST 2012
Not Rated
QuestionWith rubber boots, is the water level low enough on March 10, 2012 to get to the falls around the corner, walking in the creek? I looked at the rocks to the right? and thought better of climbing around, a month ago...ANSWERS are in this forum: Heart Creek Trail
ByPosted By: dpoburan
- Mon Aug 15 19:12:11 EDT 2011
Not Rated
UpsideGreat hike
DownsideNo down side
CommentWhen you get to the end where the bench is go around the right side and climb up the side of the mountain to get to the top of the water fall. Great view of water fall.
ByPosted By: quentinjs
- Wed Oct 13 00:40:27 EDT 2010
Not Rated
UpsideIts a very pretty hike that crosses the creek numerous times accoss solid but narrow bridges. I have done it many times in every season, and find it always changing.
DownsideEven though to me its an easy hike, it does have sections that some people may find a struggle. At the end of the trail you can hear the waterfall, but unless you want to get your feet wet you can't see it.
CommentHere is a couple pics I've taken of the trail. http://www.sarafinchan.com/mountain-stream
ByPosted By: Jebbbbb
- Thu Oct 01 12:29:16 EDT 2009
Not Rated
UpsideThe creek was perfect all the way to the end of the trail. Got many pictures of Heart Mtn behind the water.
DownsideThe waterfall is hidden. Such a tease to hear it but can't get to it. The first part of the trail runs along the highway, so you can hear the traffic.
CommentIt was a pleasant walk, as my friends first hike, it was great. Next time will be up Heart Mtn!
ByPosted By: acurtis
- Mon May 04 09:41:07 EDT 2009
UpsideEasy warm-up for the coming summer months. Good shoulder-season hike.
ByPosted By: ocean.flynn
- Sun Jun 01 00:55:22 EDT 2008
UpsideLots of climbers with different skill levels on rock faces along trail. Wildflowers include purple and white crocus in May. Sound of waterfalls and fast-flowing streams, fresh smells of trees, lots of people,
DownsideLots of people
CommentEasy walk to share with others not used to hiking.
ByPosted By: LTJ
- Sun Jul 01 17:46:47 EDT 2007
UpsideReally easy walk, very picturesque, great for doggies on a hot day as per Hermanater comment.
DownsideCan't see water fall at the end unless you wade round the cirner in ice cold water ! Beginning of trail from trailhead parking lot is most difficult part , unfit elderly people may want to park right next to highway just past trailhead on the right to get straight onto easy trail
CommentDone this walk many times in all seasons and still enjoy it , especially on weekdays when it is quieter and very peaceful- in winter you can usually see wall of ice towards the end of the hike which is a small but visible waterfall in the spring but dries up into the summer.
ByPosted By: Hermanater
- Wed May 03 15:09:54 EDT 2006
UpsideThis is a nice spot for a break while driving.
DownsideWe actually thought that we would see waterfalls. We were disappointed that we could not.
CommentWe just moved to Calgary when we decided to go to the mountains for the first time. This was our first hike. We really enjoyed it. Since then we have went on numerous small hike with many more planned this summer. Our dog enjoyed this trail. Lots of spots to cool off and have a drink.
ByPosted By: sdecarie
- Sat Aug 13 23:18:04 EDT 2005
UpsidePleasant short walk
DownsideYou probably won't actually get to see the water falls
Commentpleasant short walk
Posted By: ADesouza
Posted By: tongie
Posted By: stephaniet
Posted By: Jebbbbb
Posted By: ocean.flynn
Posted By: LTJ
Posted By: Hermanater
Posted By: sdecarie
