There are some great trails around Canmore for day hikes. Lady Macdonald Teahouse trail is one of the hikes near town. Also, it sounds like you could get cakes and tea at the Teahouse – there isn’t one there of course.
We did get a fabulous view of Canmore – one of our favourite towns in Canada. It’s less crowded and less touristy than Banff, but I guess it could get there in a few years. We were there in September of 2018.
About Lady Macdonald trail
This trail is uphill all the way with an elevation gain of about 905m in a short distance. It’s about 4.5km one-way. This is based on the distance up to the abandoned helipad. It can be a rather busy trail depending on the time and day you are there. We were there on a weekday afternoon and it seemed busy, with a few runners on the trail. This trail is difficult enough walking so runners on this trail are amazing.
Starting the hike
You’ll walk along Cougar Creek from the parking lot for about 10 minutes or so. It was dry when we were there, but according to the trail guide, the creek would be on your right on the way in. We took a few breaks on the way up to rest and to enjoy the view.
Lack of signages
Signages or lack thereof were an issue on the Lady Macdonald Teahouse trail as you get higher, since there are a few smaller paths on this trail which can mislead you. However, stay on the main path and look out for the orange tape markings.
As you get closer to the top, the area becomes more exposed and the winds can get pretty strong, so make sure your cap is secure!
