Waterfalls Travel · Tour
Heart Creek Canyon Half-Day Canyoning for Beginners: Rappels and Waterfall Slide
Heart Creek Canyon is the closest canyoning site on this operator's list to Banff and Canmore, about a 10 minute drive from Canmore and 30 minutes from Banff. That makes it a practical first canyon for anyone who has never been on a rope. The day starts at the Heart Creek Trail parking lot, where the guides meet the group. A hike of 30 to 45 minutes leads to the top of both canyon sections. Before anyone goes down, everyone gets into gear and the guides run a mandatory rappel and rope safety clinic. There are five rappels in total, separated by some scrambling and hiking. The upper canyon is the gentler half, a place to learn and build rappelling skills on short drops, and it can be dry later in the summer. The drops get longer as the group moves downstream. The last rappel, in the lower canyon, is the big one: a wet waterfall rappel of 70 to 80 feet or more, ending in a slide. It is optional. Anyone who prefers to skip it can hike around the lower falls and still exit the canyon.
What's included
- Wetsuits
- Rappelling Equipment
- Professional guide
- Helmet
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- Neoprene socks/booties
- Harness
- Rappelling Instruction/clinic
Itinerary
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parking lots near Heart Mountain, Bighorn No. 8, AB
Meet at the Heart Creek Trail parking lot, at the Lac Des Arcs exit about 17 km east of Canmore, Alberta. Look for the shuttle van marked "Bow Valley Canyon Tours".
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After meeting your guides and other participants at the…
The group gathers at the staging area in the Heart Creek Trail parking lot, then hikes 30 to 45 minutes to the top of both canyon sections. After suiting up, everyone takes a mandatory rappel and rope safety clinic. Five rappels follow, with scrambling and hiking in between. The upper canyon is easier and can be dry late in the summer. The final rappel in the lower canyon is always wet and can be skipped, since a trail goes around it.
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parking lots near Heart Mountain, Bighorn No. 8, AB
Not included
- Gratuities
Good to know
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
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- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- You must bring a good pair of outdoor shoes with a good tread! Trail running shoes or light hiking shoes work best. you will be required to hike for about one hour to get to the top of the canyon and the same shoes you hike up in will go into the canyon and they will get wet. Tennis shoes, water shoes, Crocs, urban footwear, and sandals are not permitted due to safety concerns. We also recommend bringing a second pair of dry shoes or sandals to change into after the trip. These can be left in your vehicle
- Due to the active nature of this trip we require all participants to be at least 12 years of age. Participants do not require any previous rope or rappelling experience, they must though be relatively comfortable with heights
- The hike to the top of the canyon takes about an hour potentially a bit longer including stops and breaks. The majority of the hike is very beginner and family friendly and straight forward with only very minimal incline. Towards the end there are two short but very steep sections. We take our time for both of these.
- Please note that we go rain or sunshine, so please prepare accordingly. Unless on the very rare occasion due to potential safety concerns we may cancel or postpone, we do go when it is raining. This specific canyon is not prone to floods and our thick wetsuits will keep you warm even on cold wet days, so please dress accordingly!
- The meeting locations is at Heart Creek Trail just off the main highway located 17km east of the town site of Canmore (an approximately 10 min drive from Canmore) and 41km east of Banff (an approximately 25 minute drive from Banff). Look for the Heart Creek Trail exit on the right. There is ample parking available including space for large RV’s and or motorhomes.
- All Alberta Parks in the Kananaksis area now require everyone to purchase a day pass when parked or entering any of their parks. This includes the Heart Creek trail parking area. A conservation pass (one per vehicle) for the Heart creek trail parking lot can be purchased online at: https://conservationpass.alberta.ca/kcp
- All participants will be required to sign a waiver of liability prior to the activity. Unfortunately due to the legal requirements in Canada a liability waiver is required from every participant. Anyone who refuses to sign the waiver will not be permitted to participate.
- It is a good idea to already change into your bathing suit before arriving at the meeting point. Rudimentary pit toilets do exist at the heart Creek Trailhead. We will “suit up” and change into the wet suits only at the end of the approximate 60 min hike top of the canyon right before we start the canyon. Please also keep in mind that there are no services such as food or drink at the staging area.
- Meeting time is at 9:00 am, 10:30 am, 12:00 pm, and starting in July 1:30pm as well (Depending on the time of your booking) at the Heart Creek Trail Parking lot. (Please check the directions and map outlined below). Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UiG3x3kLHAAruwu89
- We provide all the necessary technical equipment including: High quality canyoning specific wetsuits Neoprene socks Helmet Rappelling Harness Dry bags to keep your cloths and possessions dry
- Participants should bring the following items for this experience: Bathing-suit, towel, and potentially extra cloths to change into after the trip (which will remain in the vehicle) During summer months a t-shirt and shorts/pants are usually good enough to hike up in And extra pair of dry shoes or sandals to change into after the trip. Optional gear sometimes recommend in the early or late season (May & September) Rain jacket or windbreaker Marino or fleece under-layers, some under-layers for extra insulation (optional is not required).
- After meeting your guides and other participants at the staging area at the Heart Creek Trail parking lot, a 60 min hike will bring you to the top of both the Canyon sections, and the start of your canyon adventure. Everyone suits up and in order to ensure safety your guides will go thru a mandatory rappel and rope safety clinic. There are a total of 5 rappels, interspersed with some slides, scrambling and hiking. The upper canyon is the easier section and can be dry in later summer months. This gives everyone the opportunity to ease into the rappelling. The last rappel and slides on the lower canyon section are always wet (a hike around is available).
- Please note that due to high demand in the height of the summer (July & August) our pick up availability may be very limited, and if you have a vehicle we recommend that you meet us at the meeting location at Heart Creek. If you are traveling to the mountains without a vehicle we can usually provide pickup from Canmore. Please contact our office and we can arrange pick up from Blondies Cafe in Canmore the Travel Alberta visitor info Center in Canmore or the legacy Trail bus stop for the Banff/Canmore roam transit line three which provides public bus transport from Banff to Canmore approximately every 30 min
- Up to 8 travelers per booking.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Guiding available in: de, en, fr.
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