Hike Alberta
The Towers 250 m N
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The Towers Route

Near Canmore · Banff National Park

Expert · Out and back

Trail score 56 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

The Towers 250 m Open the map

About this trail

The Towers Route is a 3.4 km out and back trail near Canmore in Banff National Park. It runs 1.7 km each way. The route gains 428 m in total and tops out at 2,757 m. Hike Alberta rates it expert. Allow about 3 hours 30 minutes of moving time. It meets The Towers Lookout at 1.1 km, and passes one other mapped junction. Along the way you pass the summit of The Towers. Expect scrambling and exposure; this is mountain terrain. Nearly all of it is mapped as T4 alpine hiking. Also used for scrambling.

Length
3.4km
1.7 km each way
Elevation gain
428m
Estimated time
3h30min
Moving time
Route
Out and back
Highest point
2,757m
Lowest point
2,330m

Elevation profile

2,330 m to 2,757 m
2,7572,330 0 km1.7 km

Highest point 2,757 m, lowest 2,330 m, 428 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 56% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 35% of route

35% LTE · 0% 5G

Longest modelled gap
1.0 km
Model
2024 · Natural Resources Canada

Predicted coverage is not guaranteed. It varies by carrier, terrain, weather, device and network load, and it does not guarantee emergency service.

Along the way

  1. 1.6 kmThe TowersSummit · 2,846 m

Good for

  • Hiking, Scrambling
  • Dog friendly (on leash)
  • Summit, Views, Alpine

Trailhead

The trail starts at 50.8899° N, 115.5917° W.

Driving directions

Banff National Park admission

National park admission required

Buy day or annual pass

Pass details

Visitors spending time in a national park need valid daily admission or a Parks Canada Discovery Pass. Admission is separate from camping, reservations, parking and other service fees.

Information checked October 21, 2026.

Official details

Before you go

Carry an offline map and plan for no service in backcountry areas. Trails close for wildlife, fire, weather and construction. Check the official sources:

Nearby trails

All 588 trails in Banff National Park

Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30