Ha Ling Peak Summit Hike in Canmore

Ha Ling Peak Summit Hike in Canmore

Canmore, just south of Banff, is an excellent winter town and a hub for winter sports. It is not as touristy as Banff and has a great mountain town feel.

We stayed a couple of nights in Canmore and one of our favorite activities in the Canadian Rockies was to hike up Ha Ling. This hike is difficult, but comes with excellent views and can be done in under a few hours.

We outline our experience hiking up Ha Ling Peak as well as a few tips to help you plan your trek below. Enjoy!

Content and photographs provided by Yana Kogan and Timon.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).


Hike to Ha Ling Peak

How to Get There

Take Three Sisters Parkway, towards Spray lakes and go several miles until Whiteman’s Pond near Goats Creek Trail. The parking area is just beyond the pond on the right-hand side.  Head up the trail until you cross the river and follow the path into the woods.


Hike Distance and Elevation

Distance: 3.7 miles return (6.0 km)
Elevation gain: 2,556 feet (780 meters)
Time: Approximately 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate

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Ha Ling Peak Hiking Guide

Ha Ling Peak: Parking Lot
Parking Lot

When we hiked to Ha Ling Peak, the trail was packed down with snow and the trail was steep and icy in different sections. It would be good to have ice crampons or snowshoes depending on the conditions.

The first hour has you walking amongst the trees. From the start of the hike, this trail is very steep. About halfway through the trees, there are really nice views of the valley below.

Ha Ling Trail: View to the Right
View to the right on the trail

The trail gets even steeper once out of the tree line. There are sections that can be icy and slippery. Continue on the trail before arriving at a sharp left turn. At this point, the scramble begins to the summit.

During the ascent, there are amazing full panoramic views of Canmore and the mountains south of Ha Ling. Right before the summit, there is finally a view north of Ha Ling. From here on up, it is windy and the trail is very steep.

There is a small sign that marks the summit and end of the trail. The 360-degree panoramic views of Canmore and the mountains south of Canmore are stunning. This journey up is short, but tiring due to the intense elevation gain.

Be very careful not to slip on the way down. Wear snow pants and be ready to slide down in many sections. We had some fun with it and literally slid down half the mountain on our butts. This was one of our favorite hikes in Canada.

Although not very long, it is extremely rewarding.

Canmore Hiking Trails: The Summit
The Summit
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That’s it! We hope you enjoy this short but strenuous hike up Ha Ling Peak!


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About the Author:

  • Yana and Timon

    Yana & Timon met at college in Boston, Massachusetts. After graduating, they started their professional careers. They moved to San Francisco in 2010, a city they loved living in for nearly six years.

    After working and saving up money for several years, they quit their jobs and set off on an adventure of a lifetime. They started living a nomadic lifestyle in December 2015 and have not looked back since.

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