Alberta
Looking for the best rock climbing in Alberta? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Alberta. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Rock Climbing Spots in and near Alberta
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Lake Louise, Alberta
Plain of Six Glaciers
4.68.96 mi / 1565 ft gainStarting from the parking lot on the east end of Lake Louise, there are a few options you can take to get to the Plain of Six Glaciers. One is to head directly along the lakeshore trail, and in about 7 km (4.2 miles) you will be at the lookout offering the best vantage point of the glacier field....Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Hike to Consolation Lakes
4.03.7 mi / 196.9 ft gainOnce at Moraine Lake, the directions to Consolation Lakes are quite clear. From the parking lot, head northeast past the rockpile, which provides fantastic views of Moraine, then follow the Consolation Lakes Trail for another 2.9 km (1.8 miles) past Taylor Lake until you reach the lake. Depending...Read more -
Kananaskis, Alberta
Backpack the Fortress Cirque
5.012.19 mi / 3507 ft gainNo better way to watch the stars with friends than huddled up in your sleeping bag on top of a 3000m summit. This describes the bivy at The Fortress. Starting at the Chester Lake Trailhead, take the unmarked trail on the right side of the parking lot. These winter cross-country ski trails take y...Read more -
Kananaskis, Alberta
Scramble up Mount Sparrowhawk for Sunrise
7.5 mi / 4527.6 ft gainMount Sparrowhawk was the first mountain I ever fell in love with -- I knew it well, and I knew that the summit would still be accessible with a bit of snow on it in October. With waning daylight hours, it was a perfect option - albeit intense - for a sunrise hike.The trailhead is located on the ...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Scramble the Ten Peaks via the Perren Route
A true adventure with lots of route finding, glacier travel, loose rock and high altitude views. This is not for the faint hearted or first timers.From the Moraine Lake parking lot walk down the east side of the lake along the well maintained trail. Towards the end of the lake you will cross the ...Read more -
Canmore, Alberta
Climbing at Grassi Lakes
4.0From the parking lot walk about 350 meters back towards Canmore. At this point you will go down the hill towards Grassi Lakes. From here you have your pick of climbs, be warned though the area is a popular, short hike for locals and tourists. Get there early to enjoy some peace and quiet.You will...Read more -
Lake Louise, Alberta
Rock Climbing at Lake Louise
From the TransCanada Highway take the exit for the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Just before you arrive at the hotel there will be a large parking lot on the left. It's best to arrive early as a lot of tourists and locals alike use this parking area for hikes and visiting the the lake.From the pa...Read more -
Bragg Creek, Alberta
Rock Climb at White Buddha
4.01.9 mi / 492.1 ft gainTo reach White Buddha, park at the Powerface Creek parking lot. Between December and May, Route 66 is closed at Elbow Falls, so you may need to park at the gate and walk in, about 0.3 miles (500 m). The trailhead is well marked from the parking lot.The first section of the trail is mellow, though...Read more -
Sawback, Alberta
Climb Mt. Cory
3.0Park at the viewpoint parking lot on the left side of the highway, approximately 2.8 km (1.7 mi) after turning off of the Trans Canada Highway. The trailhead is easily located on the north side of the highway. The approach is short but steep and sustained. It starts as a trail and finishes as a s...Read more -
Canmore, Alberta
Rock Climb at Cougar Creek Canyon
4.03.1 mi / 49.2 ft gainFrom the TransCanada highway, take the second exit into Canmore (from either direction), and head uphill on Elk Run Boulevard. At the top of the hill, across from the Iron Goat restaurant, there is a three way intersection, head right across the bridge and take an immediate left into the parking ...Read more -
Banff, Alberta
Rock Climb Plutonian Shores in Banff
1.0To get to the base of the climb, you must brave the (hordes of) tourists at the Cave and Basin Historical Site in Banff. This requires a park pass and calloused elbows fit for pushing your way through crowds. Or an alarm clock to get up early - the visitor centre is only open after 9 AM and this ...Read more -
Bighorn No. 8, Alberta
Grillmair Chimneys Climb - Mount Yamnuska
First route put up on Yamnuska by Hans Gmoser, Leo GrillmairSome say this was the start of modern climbing in Canada5.6 Trad Route- 8 PitchesThis climb is very unique once you get to the last pitch- squeezing your way into a cave, once at the cave you climb through a small hole which brings you o...Read more -
Sawback, Alberta
Climb Aftonroe
Route on Mount CoryThe spectacular view of the river and forest below is called Backswamp- in the past it was referred to as Aftonroe by a local writer Jon Whyte- The naming of this route was made in his memory5.7 Sport Route- 9 Pitches Approach: Park on the left side of the Bow Valley Parkway, H...Read more -
Turner Valley, Alberta
Climb Wasootch Tower
Park at Wasootch Creek, Walk 2kms past the practice slabs5.7 Mixed- North RidgeFollowing the drainage on the right side that leads to the base of the esthetic tower. Then hike up the faint forested trail to the beginning of the climb.I found this to be a fun- easy scrambling route with quite a fe...Read more -
Kananaskis, Alberta
Hike the Aster Lake Trail in Kananaskis Provincial Park
7.5 mi / 1969 ft gainA long day hike or perfect backpack trip, this alpine lake surrounded by high peaks, starts out relatively easy from the upper Kananaskis Lake parking lot, at the far end of the south side of the lake, with a short tour around the east side of Hidden Lake, you start, what at some points will seem...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Ice Climbing at Balfour Wall
Drive up the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93N) for 60 km. From there you will see a small rest stop like parking lot. From there the trail is quite obvious.The trail is short, but very steep. It shouldn't take more than 45 minutes to arrive at the climb. Once there enjoy the beautiful views and var...Read more