- About Riverside Trail
- Trail Details
- Trail Highlights
- Best Time to Visit Riverside Trail
- How Long Do You Need to Visit RiverTrail
About Riverside Trail
The Riverside Trail in Canmore, Alberta is a delightful outdoor experience that offers scenic views and a pleasant walk. The Riverside Trail is a popular area for running and walking. The trail is mostly paved, making it accessible in any season. You’ll encounter great views of the surrounding mountains along the way. Don’t miss the old railway bridge, which is perfect for photos. We love this area and we took a lot of photos here. For an extra challenge, consider adding the 135 steps up and down near the TransAlta Power Station. We did not get the chance to do this as we need to head back to the hotel. If you like bringing your fury friends with you, they are very much welcome but they must be on a leash.

Trail Details
- Trail Name: Riverside Trail
- Location: Canmore, Alberta, Canada
- Length: Approximately 1.3 miles (2.1 kilometers)
- Elevation Gain: About 164 feet (50 meters)
- Route Type: Loop
- Difficulty: Generally considered an easy route
- Estimated Completion Time: Around 33 minutes

Trail Highlights
- The trail offers picturesque views of the Bow River.
- You’ll find a couple of old railway bridges converted into pedestrian paths.
Quiet walk at Riverside Trail
Let’s continue exploring Canmore, Alberta. Today I am showing you a very easy, quite and relaxing Riverside Hike/Walk that we did during our day trip at Canmore.

Last week, I shared my hiking adventure at Grassi Lake in Canmore. A really nice hike with the reward of amazing torqouise lake at the top. I wouldn’t say easy because we took the interpretative route which is quite more difficult than the Upper Trail route, but it was worth the effort. We were able to see both view going up and a more relax hike going down. Watch the video at the end of this post to have a glimpse of the Grassi Lake.

After the fun and exciting Grassi Lake Hike, we had lunch and checked in our hotel. It was an amazing short hike and a delicious lunch.
Let’s talk about the Riverside Trail. This is an easy trail to follow, very accessible from the town center and pretty much paved.

This multi-use trail follows alongside the Bow River in Canmore. The trail starts from the Rundle parking lot just by the Bow River Bridge but can be started from anywhere along the trail. This trail is a mix of paved trails and single track while being predominantly flat. Gorgeous open views of the Bow River and the mountains are present throughout the journey. The parking lot by the trailhead is pretty small, so if you can it is best to arrive early.
Source: Alltrails.com

This hike is like a walk in the park. The trail runs besides a river, hence the name “Riverside Trail”. It is a shared trail for both cyclist and people but I did did not see many cyclist when we walked the trail.

The trail was very close to the town center, walking distance which made it accessible, although we drove there because we came from our hotel which is not too close to this trail. We walked the trail past 7:00 PM already but because it was Summer, 7:00 PM was still bright. If I recall correctly, sunset was not until almost 10 PM. That’s one thing I love about Summer, longer day light means longer fun time exploring outside.

You have an option to stay on the trail and admire the view or you can go down to the side of the river. We went down for awhile and sat on one of those tree trunk left besides the river. It was peaceful and a nice place to admire the sunset.

This was the last activity that we did in Canmore. We head back to the hotel as soon as it starts getting dark. It was a long day, but exciting and fun.

I am glad we decided to stay overnight. It is a small town and definitely doable in a day trip but having extra time just to relax and not rush was really great. This was my second time visiting this place and I could say that this trip was so far 100% better than the first one.

Best Time to Visit Riverside Trail
The best times to visit the Riverside Trail in Canmore, Alberta are from April through October. During these months, you’ll experience pleasant weather and optimal trail conditions. Whether you’re an early riser or prefer late afternoons, both times offer a truly immersive experience on this scenic trail. We visited on September and we did the hike/walk during the evening. Yes, evening 🙂 although you can see how still bright it is in the photo. It doesn’t get dark until 9:00PM so we had plenty of time to spend our time outside. Remember that dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash. Enjoy your hike!

How Long Do You Need to Visit RiverTrail
The duration for visiting the Riverside Trail in Canmore, Alberta can vary based on your pace, stops, and how much time you’d like to spend enjoying the scenery. However, here are some general estimates:

- Walking at a leisurely pace: You can complete the trail in approximately 33 minutes.
- Taking your time and pausing for photos: Plan for around 45 minutes to an hour.
- If you decide to explore the area more thoroughly, including the 135 Steps near the TransAlta Power Station, allow for additional time.
Remember that the Riverside Trail is a delightful and scenic walk, so feel free to take it at your own pace and enjoy the natural beauty!

Overall, Riverside Trail is a fantastic choice for a leisurely walk, whether you’re a local or a visitor exploring the Canmore area. Enjoy the natural beauty and take in those mountain views
If you are doing a day trip or even longer trip, spend some time hiking to teh Grassi Lake. This is one popular hiking trail in Canmore.
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