Heart Mountain Must-Do Hikes, 3 Great Hikes For All Skill Levels

Heart Mountain must-do hikes include 3 great hikes from one base that cater to all skill levels. These hikes are based on my experience level as a moderate class 2 hiker.

Tucked away across from Heart Mountain and the Mt McGillvary range is the hamlet of Lac Des Arcs. Here you will find the Lac Des Arcs Campground, which makes for a great base camp, including many other campsites within close proximity of the mountain. We chose Rafter Six Ranch for our stay, very central to many surrounding trails.

These hikes are all in walking distance from the Lac Des Arcs campground making Lac Des Arc’s a one-stop destination.

What to bring on hikes?

Click on one of the 3 links below to find out more info on each hike.

#1 Mt McGillvary Heart Mountain Cave/Bunker

Easy: Distance: 4.2-kilometer return. Elevation: 248m

This little hidden gem is an easy to moderate 200-meter hike alongside the base of the mountain. Follow the path from the west side of the parking lot, Although not well marked, following the well-traveled path will surely be your guide to the cave.

The bunker/cave has a unique history dating back to the cold war. The caverns within the cave were known to become a vault to store important Gov’t documents as well as house officials during a possible nuclear disaster.

Be sure to bring a good flashlight, (phone lights do not work well) for there are obstacles that are possible tripping hazards inside the dark cave.

#2 Heart Creek Canyon Waterfalls

Easy, Moderate Distance 4.7-kilometer return. Elevation: 302m

This hike is for all skill levels. Starting at the base parking lot, remain to the left for an easier cross over the creek or keep to the right to cross a log which may be difficult for some. Once across it is an easy hike although very rocky in spots with 7 bridges to that crisscross the creek with many water features, therefore, making this hike on my list of waterfall hikes.

Not stroller friendly due to rocks and stumps.

If you look up along the ridges you will find many climbers testing their skills.

Read more here on Heart Creek in Winter.

Once you reach the hidden waterfall if you are brave to climb through the crevasse on logs thrown down by fellow hikers you will see an incredible waterfall. My husband was daring enough to climb to the top, I decided not to chance it. lol

Upper Waterfall hike

If you are an avid hiker and wish to continue on the steep rocky path to the left of the main waterfall will take you up the mountain to a three-fork at the top. Follow the middle path down back to the creek where to the left you continue on to the upper falls. It really is a pretty walk but I confess not easy. As a moderate hiker myself, to see the true waterfalls you must use risky rock climbing skills to reach the hidden gems. (See photo) Proved a bit much for me but my husband found it challenging but quite simple.

The hike to the upper falls was definitely a challenge it was so worth continuing on a bit further up to this breathtaking view. (see photo below)

Descending once back to the creek bed cross the creek on the left and follow the path back down. Eventually, you will end up at the top of the lower falls and wind down alongside the base of the lower falls.

#3 Heart Creek Mountain Trail

Moderate Distance: 10.3-kilometer return loop or 4.3 km no loop. Elevation: 940m

Heart Mountain hike has breathtaking views of the Bow Valley below from the front and Kananaskis from the backside. Heart Mountain is considered a moderate hike, although it is a bit tricky, for instance, finding the start and the scramble elements of the climb make it difficult for some. Great beginners scramble hike but a breeze to the experienced hiker.

You can park and start from the Heart Mountain parking lot or the best spot to park is right off the Hwy in the ditch. ( find it in my link above) This saves 0.8 of a km. Follow the paths toward the creek till you find the sign pictured below.

The elevation (914.4m) really wasn’t really an issue on this hike, unlike others, there were lots of places that leveled out and catch your breath. For the most part, it is a fun and challenging hike maneuvering through the scramble areas sure to test your climbing skills as well as enjoying the breathtaking panoramic views of Exshaw/Bow Valley and the Heart Canyon below.

The hike takes roughly 2 hours to ascend, and 1 hr back. You can choose to descend the same route or continue the loop which can take about 6 hours. We only went 3/4 up and chose to descend the same way we went up as we were short on time. Definitely going back to do the full hike one day soon. Top of the 3 Heart Mountain must-Do hikes.Heart

Conclusion

I highly recommend that any hiker has good footwear, bear spray, snacks, water, and a good flashlight for the cave. After all, A great place to fill your belly is a stop at the newly renovated Canmore Hotel for great food and beverages. Yeh I know, it defeats the purpose of burning all those calories but sometimes a reward is allowed on occasion. Keep trekking.