USA Canada region: All BC Alberta Central Ontario Quebec Atlantic

trailpeak kite boarding, wind surfing and surfing locations in B.C.

trailpeak canoeing and white water rafting and kayaking routes in B.C.

trailpeak crosscountry skiing trails in B.C.

trailpeak backcountry skiing routes in B.C.

Heart Creek Trail

Heart Creek Trail near Canmore, AB

Print page Email to a friend New Trail View

This trail was given a rating of 3 out of 5 stars

3 kms
2hours
easy
Hiking, Rock Climbing
Summer, Fall, Spring
Canmore, AB

bfcoffey

LARGER MAP

NTS Map:

Elevation Gain: 100 m (328 ft).

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.

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.

By Posted By: Jebbbbb - Thu Oct 01 12:29:16 EDT 2009 Not Rated Upside The creek was perfect all the way to the end of the trail. Got many pictures of Heart Mtn behind the water. Downside The 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. Comment It was a pleasant walk, as my friends first hike, it was great. Next time will be up Heart Mtn!

By Posted By: acurtis - Mon May 04 09:41:07 EDT 2009 Upside Easy warm-up for the coming summer months. Good shoulder-season hike.

By Posted By: ocean.flynn - Sun Jun 01 00:55:22 EDT 2008 Upside Lots 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, Downside Lots of people Comment Easy walk to share with others not used to hiking.

By Posted By: LTJ - Sun Jul 01 17:46:47 EDT 2007 Upside Really easy walk, very picturesque, great for doggies on a hot day as per Hermanater comment. Downside Can'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 Comment Done 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.

By Posted By: Hermanater - Wed May 03 15:09:54 EDT 2006 Upside This is a nice spot for a break while driving. Downside We actually thought that we would see waterfalls. We were disappointed that we could not. Comment We 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.

By Posted By: sdecarie - Sat Aug 13 23:18:04 EDT 2005 Upside Pleasant short walk Downside You probably won't actually get to see the water falls Comment pleasant short walk