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  • 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

    • Lake Louise, Alberta

      Plain of Six Glaciers

      4.6
      8.96 mi / 1565 ft gain
      Starting 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....
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    • Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

      Hike to Consolation Lakes

      4.0
      3.7 mi / 196.9 ft gain
      Once 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...
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    • Kananaskis, Alberta

      Backpack the Fortress Cirque

      5.0
      12.19 mi / 3507 ft gain
      No 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...
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    • Kananaskis, Alberta

      Scramble up Mount Sparrowhawk for Sunrise

      7.5 mi / 4527.6 ft gain
      Mount 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 ...
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    • 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 ...
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    • Canmore, Alberta

      Climbing at Grassi Lakes

      4.0
      From 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...
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    • 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...
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    • Bragg Creek, Alberta

      Rock Climb at White Buddha

      4.0
      1.9 mi / 492.1 ft gain
      To 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...
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    • Sawback, Alberta

      Climb Mt. Cory

      3.0
      Park 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...
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    • Canmore, Alberta

      Rock Climb at Cougar Creek Canyon

      4.0
      3.1 mi / 49.2 ft gain
      From 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 ...
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    • Banff, Alberta

      Rock Climb Plutonian Shores in Banff

      1.0
      To 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 ...
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    • 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...
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    • 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...
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    • 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...
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    • Kananaskis, Alberta

      Hike the Aster Lake Trail in Kananaskis Provincial Park

      7.5 mi / 1969 ft gain
      A 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...
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    • 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...
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