Itinerary: Four Days of Solo Summer Travel

Welcome to your solo summer escape to Canmore and Kananaskis, a place where travelling alone feels anything but lonely. The Canadian Rocky Mountains draw in visitors from all over the world who are seeking adrenaline-pumping adventures, still moments in nature, and everything in between. This itinerary outlines the best activities in Canmore and Kananaskis to do as a solo traveller.

Before you lace up your adventuring shoes, remember that safety always comes first. You will want to carry bear spray at all times and make sure you know how to use it. Cell service isn’t always available in Kananaskis Country, so if you venture off the beaten path, it’s a good idea to bring a satellite communicator or GPS device and to download maps ahead of time. Check weather and trail conditions daily, and let someone know your plans and location before going from cell range to the mountain ranges. The freedom of unfiltered wilderness comes with the responsibility to keep yourself safe.

Accommodation: Canmore Downtown Hostel

For solo travellers, the best place to stay is Canmore Downtown Hostel. This cozy and communal space captures the spirit of mountain adventure, with 360-degree views of the staggering peaks of the Bow Valley. Canmore Downtown Hostel is the perfect home base to connect with fellow travellers or get some down time in between activities.

Centrally located, the hostel has easy access to restaurants, recreation, and public transportation. The hostel has a full kitchen, lounge, laundry facilities, and storage lockers – everything you need to make the most of your stay.

Get oriented in town

Ease into your adventure with a guided walking tour led by a local expert who knows the town inside and out. With Canmore Walking Tours, you’ll get the backstory on Canmore’s mining roots, local arts scene, and mountain landscapes, all while picking up tips only locals know. It’s a great way to gain a deeper connection to the landscapes and get your bearings before diving into the rest of your stay.

Grab a bite to eat at Communitea

After your walk, head to Communitea Cafe, one of Canmore’s most popular cafes. The menu is full of nourishing bowls, vibrant salads, and smoothies made to fuel your adventures without weighing you down. Snag a seat on the patio if the sun is out – this is the kind of place where you’ll come for the food and stay for the good vibes.

Cool down by the water

In the afternoon, head to Quarry Lake Park, a peaceful swimming hole framed by dramatic peaks. Take a swim in the cold waters, rent a paddleboard and float on the gentle currents, or unwind by the lakeside with a book or journal. Avoid parking fees by taking Roam Transit’s Route 12 – free for everyone – enjoy stress-free travel to and from your destination.

Find your thrill

Day two is all about trying something new or finding ways to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Try canyoning with Bow Valley Canyon Tours or Banff Canyoning and rappel through waterfalls in Heart Creek and drop into natural pools. Or for an underground adventure, embark on a wilderness caving tour with Canmore Cave Tours to crawl through ancient limestone chambers deep within Grotto Mountain.

If biking is more your speed, you can cruise along the many pathways throughout Canmore on a bike or e-bike. Legacy Trail is a popular path for ambitious cyclists who want to bike or e-bike all the way to the neighbouring town of Banff and back – approximately 52 km (32 mi) round trip. Alternatively, Canmore has some of the best mountain biking trails in the Bow Valley. If it’s your first time, we suggest heading up to the Canmore Nordic Centre and getting rentals and lessons at Trail Sports.

If you’re looking for some vertical challenges, Yamnuska Mountain Adventures and Paramount Guides offer rock climbing lessons. They can tailor the day for first-timers or seasoned experts looking for a guided experience.

Other activities:

• Guiding fishing with Canmore Fishing Adventures or Wapiti Sports & Outfitters
• Guided horseback riding with Boundary Ranch or Rafter Six Ranch Resort
• Golfing at Silvertip Resort, Canmore Golf & Curling Club, Kananaskis Country Golf Course, Brewster’s Kananaskis Ranch Golf Course, or Stewart Creek Golf Club

Dinner at Tavern 1883

By the time evening rolls around, you’ll be primed for a juicy burger – and there’s no better place in town to get locally-sourced Alberta beef than at Tavern 1883. The lively environment immediately welcomes you into the pub, with fellow adventurers filtering in throughout the night. You may even catch a live show or performance for a night of entertainment.

Go with the flow

Day three calls for some river time. If you’re travelling car-free, book a laid-back float tour with Canmore Raft Tours right here in town – no rapids, just a gentle current with mountain scenery and lots of opportunities for wildlife viewing. If you have a vehicle, you also have the option to drive out to Kananaskis for a whitewater rafting tour. Canadian Rockies Rafting and Chinook Rafting can whisk you along the Kananaskis River, where you’re guaranteed to come away refreshed (and maybe a little wet).

Wander downtown Canmore

Back in Canmore, give yourself a slow afternoon. Wander along Canmore’s pedestrian-friendly Main Street and peruse the art galleries and shops to find locally-crafted souvenirs. Make sure to stop by The Maple Station for a Canadian-inspired sweet treat, or Bella Crusta for an ice cream cone to cool you down in the hot weather. You may even meander down to Riverside Park, just a stone’s throw from Canmore’s Main Street. Here, you’ll meet lots of locals spreading out a picnic blanket, tossing a football or frisbee, dipping toes in the river, or even slacklining among the leafy trees. Don’t be afraid to ask to join in on the fun!

Après your own way

Turn dinner into an adventure with a self-guided tasting tour with Alberta Food Tours. The Food Finder tour maps out the best spots to sample Alberta-focused flavours at local restaurants with discounts and walkable stops. Alternatively, you could join Canmore Brewery and Distillery Tours to get to know the local craft scene one sip at a time. This tour gives you a $25 gift card to Iron Goat Pub and Grill where you can head for dinner with a view after the tour.

Fuel up at Electric Wolf Cafe

Drop by Electric Wolf Cafe for a strong coffee and a hearty breakfast sandwich. While you’re here, grab a few extra treats for a summit snack.

Hike your heart out

Canmore and Kananaskis have hundreds of hiking trails, so you have your pick of the bunch. As a solo traveller, safety is paramount. The best option is to explore with one of the many local guiding companies in the area. Here are some great options:

• Buffalo Stone Woman Indige-scape tour: an Indigenous-led hiking experience to explore the beauty of Treaty Seven Lands while learning about the local indigenous culture.
• Kananaskis Outfitters Coal Mine Hike: a trek to a reclaimed coal mine with panoramic views.
• Nick Fitzhardinge Photography tour: find epic landscapes off the beaten path and capture photos that are uniquely your own.
• Check social media for local hiking pages or ask around your hostel to see if you can join a group!

For an unguided experience, we suggest sticking to well-travelled trails where you’re almost guaranteed to run into others. If you’re travelling without a car, take Roam Transit’s Route 12 up to Grassi Lakes or the Canmore Nordic Centre trails. Route 5C will get you to the Montane trails in Cougar Creek, or Mount Lady MacDonald for a challenging scramble. With a vehicle, you can reach Troll Falls, Prairie View Trail, Ha Ling, or East End of Rundle (EEOR). Remember to do research on trail conditions and closures and make sure the hike you select is well within your hiking abilities.

Dinner at Rocky Mountain Flatbread

Dinner tonight is at Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co., where pizzas are wood-fired, local, and generously topped. It’s easygoing – the kind of place where you can review your camera roll, jot some notes in your travel journal, and chat with the table next to you. Maybe you can even start planning your next trip to Canmore and Kananaskis!

Got a bit of extra time and room in the budget for something unforgettable? A scenic helicopter tour with Alpine Helicopters is the ultimate astonishing adventure. You’ll fly above iconic peaks like the Three Sisters and alpine lakes you might not see any other way. It’s a splurge, but for many solo travellers, it ends up being a highlight of the trip. If you’re looking to mark the moment or simply see the Rockies from a whole new angle, this one’s worth considering.

In Canmore and Kananaskis, our natural ecosystems and stunning landscapes are the heart and soul of our local mountain culture. Before your visit, we encourage you to sign the Pledge to the Peaks, committing to mindful exploration to ensure the safety of all inhabitants of the region and preserve the beauty of our unfiltered wilderness for generations to come.