Panorama of the Windtower hike from Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis near Canmore
Panorama of the Windtower hike from Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis near Canmore

Windtower hike

Kananaskis – Smith Dorrien
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Tricky part of the Windtower Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreView of the Spray Lakes Reservoir on the Windtower Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreView from the pass on the Windtower Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreViews over the mountain on the Windtower Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreViews to the pass on the Windtower Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreTrail views on the Windtower Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreBuck on the Windtower Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreViews from the Windtower Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreTrail up to the Windtower Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreSummit of the Windtower Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreWind block on the Windtower Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreCanmore views from the Windtower Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreDescending of the Windtower Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreView of the Windtower Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreTrail of the Windtower Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreBeautiful views from the Windtower Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreSmoke on the Spray Lakes Reservoir on the Windtower Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreFauna on the Windtower Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near CanmoreView from the top of the Windtower Hike near Smith-Dorrien Trail in Kananaskis, near Canmore

Windtower hike

Distance: 6.6mi
Elevation: 3,297ft
Time: 4.5-6.5h

Difficulty Rating:

User Ratings:
9.8 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty

A hike up Windtower is an underappreciated gem of the Canadian Rockies. First take in West Wind pass and then find the path up Windtower for spectacular views in all directions, especially back towards the Spray Lakes Reservoir. Windtower is one of our favourite hikes in the Kananaskis.

Windtower Hike Map

Getting there

From the Canmore Nordic Centre, continue west on the Smith-Dorrien (Hwy 742) as it winds up into the Spray Valley for 11.5mi. You’ll notice cars parked on both sides of the highway, with a pull-out to your right, adjacent to Spray Lake. There is no signage for this parking.

I’ve done this 30 people have done this
I want to do this 122 want to do this route

About

When to do

June 15 to early October

Backcountry Campsites

No

Toilets

None

Family friendly

No

Route Signage

None

Crowd Levels

Low

Route Type

Out and back


Windtower
Elevation Graph


Route Description for Windtower

For first-timers, just finding the right parking lots can be a challenge. Luckily, on weekends there are usually a fair number of other cars that are mostly for hikers going to West Wind Pass. Windtower is a lightly-trafficked hike, and don’t be surprised if your group is the only one there during midweek.

The trail starts by going up the same route as the trail to West Wind Pass, so you’ll meet other people heading there as you hike.

The hike starts in the trees across the road from where you parked, and immediately comes to a sign stating that the West Wind Valley is closed from December 1st to June 15th.

The path heads up through the trees, with Spurling Creek to your right, though often out of sight. Soon after you start your hike, you’ll come across the trail’s first deviation: take the right-hand route with signs west for Windy Pass.

After roughly 30 minutes you’ll come to some cliff bands with the route going over them. Go across this tricky area, taking care. The path splits 10 minutes later, and you can go either way, however we prefer to take the lower of the two paths.

As you come to West Wind Pass (also known as Windy Pass), you’ll notice a large mountain on the right. This is Windtower. The path you see up the mountain on your left is the Rimwall Ridge Route. Continue to follow the well-defined path to the right as it comes to West Wind Pass.

Once you get to West Wind Pass, you will appreciate the beauty. You can continue along the path for a short while to let the views expand in front of you! We love a break here.

Now you must break away from the crowds and head up to Windtower. Return to the pass and looking down on where your car is (and Spray Lakes Reservoir), follow a path that goes to your left, in and out of the trees. You’ll only be on this path for a short while before you come across some cliff bands that may require use of hands. As far as scrambles go it isn’t formidable however be careful.

From here, the route goes from very clear to heavily braided and hard to follow as it goes across the slope below Windtower for roughly 45 minutes. Make sure to follow a path you are comfortable on and be prepared to go around any scrambling you don’t like the look of.

It’s very easy to miss the turn on your left that heads up the scree slope up to Windtower. This is because the turnoff comes when the view towards the Spray Lakes before you and to your right is spectacularly distracting! Look for a path going off to the left. If you look up and see a large cliff band, then you’ve turned too soon. On our map, we show how to get back on the path if you turn too soon on the way up and the regular route coming down.

Once on the correct path, the route up is clear. The path listed on most maps shows a large switchback, however the actual path is pretty much a direct line to the summit of Windtower.

While walking up to Windtower, the stunning Mount Lougheed comes into view as you get higher, with the rugged serrated faces that are colourful and beautiful.

Once at the top, you’ll have amazing views into Canmore, over to Mount Lougheed, behind you to the Spray Lakes and Spray Valley, and down to the left the West Wind Pass and the Rimwall looming high above. There is a summit register here for you to leave your name.

From the top of Windtower, hike back down the way you came. You’ve just had one of the best days of hiking in the Kananaskis!

Check out other amazing hikes in Kananaskis – Smith Dorrien:

Insider Hints

  • Take poles as this hike is very steep at times.

  • It can get hot on this hike, as it’s west-facing and exposed. Consider bringing some swimming trunks and a lot of courage to swim in the chilly Spray Lake down by the car.

  • Fill-up on bagels in Canmore before the hike at the Rocky Mountain Bagel Co.

  • Really hot days may need slurpees, which can be found at the Mac’s store in Canmore on Bow Valley Trail, in a strip mall just off of Railway Ave.

Comments

Hector Carabez 3 years ago

Great hike, we saw a lot of wild life (one coyote, a few marmots, mountain goats and goats and also some birds). Its a hell of a view from the Top!! You have to do it. It took us 6 hrs but we had several breaks for lunch and enjoy the views with some pictures.

10.0 Overall Rating
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Theodore R. 4 years ago

Amazing nature! Wonderful creation of God. A great place to explore!

10.0 Overall Rating
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JohnCan 4 years ago

Astonishing views! Windtower Hike is incredibly challenging.

10.0 Overall Rating
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6h 00m Time Taken
Greenlife 4 years ago

It sure was windy on the top, and I love it.

10.0 Overall Rating
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6h 30m Time Taken
MayP 4 years ago

Wind tower is simply perfect!

10.0 Overall Rating
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7h 00m Time Taken
mallorykirzinger 4 years ago

This hike is totally underrated in my opinion. The trail up to West Wind Pass is relaxed and not technical, but the slog up Windtower is pretty taxing. It's mostly on loose scree, so take poles if you have them. So beautiful at the top though! I loved being right next to the summit of Mount Lougheed.

7.0 Overall Rating
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5h 45m Time Taken
Richy_travels 4 years ago

Trails are easy to follow with clear instructions. Poles are great and outstanding views are here.

10.0 Overall Rating
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7h 00m Time Taken
kelsih_99 4 years ago

really easy until you get past the pass, then it's a slog to the top! so worth it though. feels really close to surrounding summits. loved it, my quads didn't!

10.0 Overall Rating
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oskareglq 4 years ago

Nothing worth having comes easy! It was absolutely gorgeous! The trails will make you work hard to see the top.

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Diana C. 4 years ago

It was fabulous in every espect and I adore it so much.

10.0 Overall Rating
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29 Comments Show all

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