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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Bighorn No. 8, Alberta
Climb McGillivray Slabs
Morningside RouteLocated on the North side of Mount McGillivray5.7 Sport Route- 4 PitchesWalk off or RappelGetting there: Located across from Lac Des Arc. Theres a small gravel road turn off just before McGillivray Ponds- easy to miss! Then follow a small trail on the right side that leads up to ...Read more -
Banff, Alberta
Rock Climb Escargot Corner
6 Pitches5.6-5.8 Climbing Sustained climbing for the grade. You follow up 2 right facing corners with some face climbing.I really enjoyed this route and found it worth the long approach. Approach requires a few hours of consistent elevation gain and fair bit of scrambling. If you don’t know where...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Climb the Tower of Babel
3.0Fairly short approach that begins to the left of Moraine Lake on the consolation lakes trail. Follow a foot path until you see a faint trail in the scree that moves up towards the tower-would recommend wearing a helmet on the approach. This is active grizzly country- It would be a good idea to ca...Read more -
Sawback, Alberta
Ice Climbing at Bear Spirit
From the parking lot head East for about 200m, to find the trail that heads North. The trail follows the riverbed for about 45 minutes and in parts is washed out. A piece of flagging tape and a downed tree that is used as a bench marks the point where the trail gets tougher. At this point you wil...Read more -
Kananaskis, Alberta
Ice Climb at King Creek
4.0Follow the defined path trailing roughly along the creek bed, a 20 minute hike from the car park. King Creek lies at the bottom of a gorge with steep rock walls on either side and a cascade of fat ice being forced out of the rocks. It's a gorgeous spot, showcasing the true beauty of Kananaskis.It...Read more -
Clearwater County, Alberta
Ice climb Two O'Clock Falls
Park at the "Siffleur Falls Trail Staging Area" parking lot on the east side of the highway. From there you will need to carefully cross the highway to the West side. The waterfall is visible from the highway. There is a gated road that you will walk up. The land on the West side of the highway ...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Ski Mt. Hector
8.6 mi / 5275.6 ft gainMt Hector's main route requires a ski mountaineering ascent. It moves through a lot of complex avalanche terrain, across glaciers, and through many terrain traps. Most people will do this route in spring, aiming to be off the mountain before noon. This route should be attempted only by very fit ...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Climb the Grand Sentinel
8.6 mi / 3612.2 ft gainThe Grand Sentinel has two routs on it. While it is hard to access it is a modern classic with bolted anchors, and Cardia Arete is a Sport climbing route. While I could offer my take on this classic, Chris Perry' Banff Rock is a far better resource than I. To access the climb park at Moraine Lak...Read more -
Bay Tree, Alberta
Hike into the Saddle Hills Rimrocks
5 mi / 19.7 ft gainThis site is easily accessible on pavement most of the way and well maintained oil field roads for the last few kilometers and cell service is great! Google will provide 2 routes to approach these rocks from the north or the south. It is possible to make a large loop, or stage a vehicle part of ...Read more -
Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
Hike Turtle Mountain
4.3 mi / 3051.2 ft gainTurtle Mountain will make any hiker work for the reward at the end of the trail. While it offers panoramic views of the valleys and mountains surrounding it, as well as a aerial "looking down upon" view of the famous Frank Slide - the hike even takes you to the top of the mountain above the slide...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Climb Achilles Spire
5.0Established in 2012 by Eric Dumerac, Sid Cupido and Chad Casey. This 13-pitch, 300m route of relatively easy climbing provides some decent exposure on a dolomite tower attached to Mount Andromache, Banff National Park. 2 hr approach, expect 8-10 hour day. Approach - Park in the pull out on the ...Read more -
Canmore, Alberta
Indoor Rock Climbing in Canmore at Elevation Place
For those that aren’t skiers – or maybe for skiers who just want to stretch some different muscles – Elevation Place is a fantastic climbing gym in Canmore. It’s brand new and has tons of top roping, bouldering, and even seven auto-belays with climbs rating from 5.8 to 5.11d at the time we were t...Read more -
Canmore, Alberta
Climb the South East Ridge of Lady MacDonald
Lady Macdonalds South East ridge is a route that has grown in popularity in recent years thanks to it's proximity to Canmore, intro level alpine climbing, and wonderful views. The Rockies Central Guidebook has the best images and descriptions of this specific climb This route starts in Cougar Cre...Read more