Ha Ling Peak (Canmore): Trail Report

This uber popular hike went through some trail changes in order to accommodate the heavy foot traffic. The trail is wider and the switch backs longer along with some stairs. Parks Alberta stated that Ha Ling Peak see as many as 670 hikers in one day!

Suggested Stops

Grab a bagel (like the mountaineer!) from Rocky Mountain Bagel for a lunch on the ridge line or a coffee and quinoa salad (the cranberry and spinach is delish) from Beamer’s Coffee Bar!

Important Insights

Extremely popular trail, opt for hiking off peak hours and during the week if possible. Day pass for Kananaskis is required: https://www.alberta.ca/kananaskis-conservation-pass.aspx?utm_source=redirect&utm_medium=all&utm_campaign=GoA&utm_term=ConservationPass For more information about terrain classification here: https://www.albertaparks.ca/media/2939773/atr_ates.pdf See the Forecast: Avalanche forecast for Kananaskis here: https://www.avalanche.ca/forecasts/kananaskis

Land Acknowledgement

These are the lands of the Niitsítpiis-stahkoii ᖹᐟᒧᐧᐨᑯᐧ ᓴᐦᖾᐟ (Blackfoot / Niitsítapi ᖹᐟᒧᐧᒣᑯ), Ktunaxa ɁamakɁis, Stoney, Tsuu T'ina, and Michif Piyii (Métis) people.⁠ It is important as avid hikers and stewards of the land, to acknowledge and understand the full story our surroundings along with the people that care for her, both past and present. As sourced from native-land.ca, if there are corrections please send to victoria@girlgonegood.com.

Land Management

Ha Ling Peak Trail is managed by Alberta Parks.

GPS Coordinates

51.06227, -115.41780

Street Address

AB-742, Canmore, AB T0L 2C0

Directions

An easy 9 km (17min) drive from downtown Canmore. From Three Sisters parkway, turn west onto Spray Lakes Rd (towards Spray lakes and the Nordic Centre). This turns into a bumpy gravel road! You will pass the Nordic Centre, Spray Lakes, Grassi Lakes, and Whitemans Pond. Park in the Goat Lake Parking Lot. The trail head is directly across the street. You’ll see a bridge and gravel walkway up to the woods. At the woods you’ll see the trail head signage and it’s clear trail from there on in.

Parking

Large parking lot at trailhead.

Cell Reception

Yes

Washrooms

Outhouses located at the parking lot.

Accessibility

Trail Details

Entrance Fee

Hours of Operation

All seasons. Open dawn to dusk daily.

Trail Map

Available from Alberta Parks.

Trailhead

Located across the road from the parking lot.

Number of Trails

Total Distance (km)

Elevation Gain (m)

810

Cell Reception

Yes

Features

Activities

Hiking

Dogs

Permitted on-leash.

Trail Description

At the beginning it’s all woods which it beautiful and thankfully cooler. There are no trail signs but the route is obvious and well maintained. What I really enjoyed was the softer ground trails (rock steps are the death of me, ha ha). It is a steady incline the whole way. After a kilometre or so you start to have some great views poking out from the tree line which is pretty darn motivating. Then you’ll spot the rockey peak above – it’s time to get excited at that point you’re only a few hundred metres from the ridge line and those amazing views! Breaking the tree line and getting into the alpine is always glorious, but it’s still steep in this section and there’s plenty of loose rock so be conscious of your footing. Ha Ling Peak is actually named after a young gentleman that made a 50$ bet in 1886 that he could climb the then unnamed peak and return within 10hrs. He did it. Pretty impressive feat in my books. It wasn’t until 1998 that the peak was officially named Ha Ling.

Other Hiking Trails

AOG Gallery Art Trail in Frankville: Trail Report

Ha Ling Peak (Canmore): Trail Report