Trails and Traverses: Discover Canmore's Triple Crown Challenge

Canmore’s vast trail network promotes several outdoor challenges, inspiring weekend warriors, seasoned hikers and competitive ultra runners alike to test their skills.

Andy Reed, a local sports medicine doctor and trail runner, has lived and breathed the mountains since moving to Canmore 22 years ago. For Reed, the Bow Valley’s unique outdoor culture and immersive trails make it a bucket list location for trail runners and hikers.

“Canmore is a Mecca for outdoor activities,” Reed said. “It goes under the radar as a trail running destination. I’ve done trail running all over the world, and I think we have one of the best trail running systems there is.”

Reed spends most of his free time exploring, spending most of his time outside climbing, trail running and skiing in and around Canmore. With a variety of trails in the area, there are routes and activities for everyone to enjoy.

“I can go out my door and I’m on a trail in 30 seconds,” Reed said. “There are nice, easy, flat river trails that are popular. If you go a bit higher, you can go into the Highline trail. If you venture further, you get into the alpine ridges.”

Some of these routes, however, stand for something greater. They are the stuff of local legend, rallying trail runners and hikers to personal bests and the recorded fastest known times (FKTs).

One of those routes is known as Canmore’s Triple Crown Challenge. It is considered a rite of passage for the local outdoor community.

Origins of the Canmore Triple Crown

Consisting of three peaks visible from town – Ha Ling, East End of Rundle and Mount Lady MacDonald – the Triple Crown route promises pulse-pounding summit views.

Challenge participants can choose to conquer the route in one day or divide it over a summer season, covering a distance of 23km (14.3 mi) with 2,450m (8,038 ft) of elevation.

Canmore’s Georgetown Inn and Waymarker Hospitality started the challenge to get people out and active in the mountains.

Before Canmore’s Triple Crown, Waymarker Hospitality started The Triple Crown of Waterton out of Kilmorey Lodge. Waterton’s Challenge covers 60 km (37 mi). It includes Akamina Ridge, Carthew Alderson Trail and Crypt Lake, three significant hikes in the park.

Its success led the Waymarker team to introduce something similar to its property in Canmore. Since then, Canmore’s Triple Crown has exploded in popularity. 

Toby Farrell, Marketing and Technology Manager for Waymarker Hospitality, has witnessed the growth of the challenge first-hand.

“It has taken on a life of its own, which we love,” Farrell said. “It started at the Georgetown, but it’s become popular enough that people are talking about it and doing it outside our original association with the challenge. We’re really proud of how it’s grown.”

Runners and hikers are encouraged to take selfies at the summit of each mountain and post to the Georgetown Inn’s Facebook page to document their successful trips.

Upon completing the three summits, participants can check in with Georgetown staff members to get a Triple Crown beer mug, discounts on refills and the option to buy a t-shirt. Proceeds from the t-shirt benefit Rocky Mountain Adaptive, a local charitable organization that provides accessible adventures for individuals living with physical and/or neuro-divergent challenges.

Due to potential trail closures, Farrell highlighted that any mountains close to Canmore can be counted towards the Georgetown Inn’s Challenge.

“It doesn’t have to be limited to the original peaks; if people do Spray Lakes or other hikes in the area, we see that as a success story,” Farrell said. “We want people enjoying the outdoors.”

The challenge has even inspired runners and hikers to go further, creating a longer, more rigorous loop known as The Quad.

This route includes Grotto Mountain, adding an extra 13.2 km (8.2 mi) to the distance with 1,464 m (4,803 ft) of elevation gain.

Trail tips

With the Triple Crown and the Quad’s rising popularity, keeping safety in the mountains top of mind is important. 

With decades of trail running under his belt, Reed knows from experience that preparation is crucial to a successful trip.

15 years ago, Reed attempted the Quad alongside his friend and well-known Canmore runner and skier Phil Villeneuve. At the time, they could not find evidence that people had completed the loop, and Villeneuve came up with the idea of running it in one go.

“I failed miserably on the first attempt,” Reed said. “Phil did the whole loop. It was a big deal. I had a go at it the next year and tried doing it a bit faster than Phil. From there, it became a bit of a thing. People started doing it quicker and quicker. I think I’ve done The Quad 10 times now. In terms of the Triple, I’ve done it a few times.”

Runners and hikers attempting the Triple Crown face switchbacks, exposed scrambling and hard-to-spot trails. Due to the technicality of parts of the route, Reed recommends doing all three peaks as stand-alone days so you know the routes well. From there, he suggests linking two peaks before attempting all three.

To reduce risks in the mountains, Reed also recommends checking the weather forecast, being bear and animal aware, packing enough fluids and food and doing the challenge with friends or a support crew.

“I definitely wouldn’t underestimate the Triple,” Reed said. “It’s a pretty big day and it’s technical. Train the peaks. Start early because it will probably take you longer than you think. Bring a headlamp just in case!”

Run local, support local

While exploring Canmore and the Bow Valley, runners and hikers can check out local businesses supporting the trail running community, such as SkiUphill RunUphill and Strides Canmore.

SkiUphill RunUphill offers local insight into running, climbing, hiking and skiing. Experienced team members are knowledgeable sources for gear and trail routes. Check out their Fastest Known Times in the Rockies board, which highlight stop performances in Canmore, Kananaskis and beyond.

For SkiUphill team member Gavin Harmacy, the shop brings the Canmore trail running and outdoor community together. Whether someone is training for an ultra or looking to enjoy a post-run coffee or beer, people of all abilities are encouraged to visit.

“We serve as a gathering place where athletes and runners of all levels connect over gear, group runs and shared mountain experiences,” Harmacy said. “We foster this spirit by organizing community long runs, shoe demos and expert-led workshops, making us [a] go-to resource for those looking to explore the mountains by human power.”

Canmore is also the home to Canmore Trail Culture and Reed’s Dirtbag Runners Bow Valley group, two weekly community-based trail running clubs dedicated to exploring the surrounding trails.

Access to activities and community-building initiatives like these local groups are an important part of Canmore’s outdoor scene. Harmacy agrees that it makes the region special.

“My favourite thing about Canmore as a destination for running is that everything can be just out your front door,” Harmacy said.“[The] community really celebrates each person as they do cool adventures, egging each other to go further or faster in some cases. That can be running in a local run group, a local race or racing around the world.”