This Alberta small town with golden valleys is one of Canada's 'best fall destinations'

It's that time of the year! 🍂

People walking in a small town. Right: Fall colours in the mountains.

A fall small town in Alberta.

Editor

Fall is almost here, and if you're eager for Gilmore Girls vibes and cozy weather, this small town is the perfect escape to get the quintessential autumn vibes.

It doesn't get much more dreamy than a cute town nestled in the mountains, surrounded by golden fall colours and sparkling lakes.

Readers have taken notice, naming the Kananaskis region — in which Canmore is nestled — as one of the "best fall destinations" in the entire country. Calgarians are in luck, because it's just over an hour's drive from the city.

You feel like you've arrived in a Hallmark rom-com, though, with the storybook-like streets of the town and mountains wrapping around it.

There's a slew of shops and restaurants to explore here, and you can just wander the streets for a whole day and not be bored. As if it couldn't get any more magical sounding, Canmore is also home to what's been dubbed one of "Canada's dreamiest bookstores," — Cafe Books.

You can grab a cup of coffee from Eclipse Coffee Roasters and stroll over to the bookstore to grab a new read, which is the recipe for a wholesome fall day.

What you've got lying beyond the charming streets, though, is just as magical. In mid-September, the valleys of this area turn a brilliant cold yellow colour, which is a must-see before the needles fall in late October.

It's a fleeting sign of the changing seasons, but it makes a Canmore trip that much more magical.

There are loads of incredible hikes to do in the fall around the Kananaskis region, where you can see the trees change.Mount Lorette Ponds is an easy 1-kilometre loop with stunning views of mountain peaks and yellow larch trees.

After going out and exploring, you can take your pick of spots to stay in Canmore, with quaint lodges and cozy inns in town.

If you want an idyllic fall escape with a splash of colour, head here.

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

  • Editor

    Morgan Leet (she/her) is an Editor for Narcity Media Group. After graduating from Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication, she jumped into fulfilling her dream as a journalist, merging her passion for travelling with writing. She got her start working in the print media world on Canada’s East Coast, then joined Narcity with a move to B.C., leading the launch of West Coast coverage. Her focus now is managing a large group of freelance writers, bringing human-forward and opinion content to the site.

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