When it comes to winter hikes I’ll be the first to admit, I lack some imagination! But one sunny early March day my friend suggested the Jura Creek hike and I happily agreed. It had been one of those trails which had sat on my list for a long time but I’d somehow never found the time to do it. A relatively flat trail and once into the canyon, fairly wind free, at least on the day we did it. A perfect hike for a chill Sunday and my friend’s first time carrying her baby in the kid carrier Osprey backpack.
Turns out the Jura Creek hike was so much better than I imagined! With a variety of landscapes to take in and some fresh snow on the ground it was picture perfect for the whole hike. I just repeated this hike and continued on past the second skinny canyon where turned around initially and we were greeted with a cool open creek looking towards some incredible mountains way down the valley.
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Table of Contents
Where is Jura Creek?
The Jura Creek hike is a 15 minute drive from Canmore, Alberta along highway 1A. A pleasant scenic drive with plenty of hiking options. A 2 minute drive past Exshaw and Jura Creek is clearly signposted on the left hand side.
It can be a very popular trail, so plan to arrive early to get a parking spot. If you don’t succeed there are lots of other hikes in the area as a backup including Grotto Canyon, however this also suffers from similar parking issues on busy days.
Since the Jura Creek hike is within Kananaskis you’ll need a Kananaskis Conservation pass in order to park and hike the trail, you can purchase a day pass or an annual pass either in person at a visitor center or online.
The Jura Creek Hike
The Jura Creek hike is one for all abilities and ages. Walk as far as you like and then turn around and head back. For those with the skills, time and desire, you can turn the Jura Creek hike into a loop by scrambling up Loder Peak….that wasn’t on our to do list for the day but something I’d love to come back and do in summer.
From the parking lot the trail is clearly signposted in the corner, from there in winter the well beaten trail was easy to follow through the trees before ending up at the wide creek outflow. The trail stays high on the bank before cutting down into the Creek right before the canyon.
I read that there are an abundance of trails when the snow isn’t covering the ground but if you stay West you will end up at the creek.
From the Creek bed the Jura Creek hike goes through a tight slot canyon, a highlight of the hike and a perfect destination for those with young kids. There are a few obstacles in the canyon such as logs and boulders which don’t pose too much of an issue but can become slippery and cause a pinch point.
After exiting the slot canyon the Jura Creek hike continues into a wider creek bed with towering trees on each side and plenty of sunshine. It winds through the valley like this for quite a while, ever so gently and basically unnoticeable gaining elevation.
Downed logs left behind during times of high water make perfect benches along the way to stop and enjoy a snack or drink while taking in the gorgeous surroundings.
With each bend of the Jura Creek hike, a new vantage point appears with mountains popping out here and there. Our turnaround point was at the base of one of these. The trail went further but started to gain elevation quickly, this I assume is the start of the climb up out of the creek and onwards to Loder Peak. This seemed a common turn around spot for many.
This section is known as the false fault and this is due to the fact that on one side of the creek you find Palliser limestone whilst on the other side is Exshaw shale. A sure reason why there are a number of blasting plants in the area!
A few brave souls trekked further but with the warm sunshine, the snow had become slick just in the few hours we had been out and nobody was making the ascent look like an easy one. On my second trip to complete the Jura Creek hike we continued on, scrambling up the steep section, navigating slushy snow, the trail soon forks with one trail heading toward Loder peak and the other continuing on through the valley, offering up some spectacular views.
Notably we had brought spikes with us in our bags having read that there was a section where we would walk on ice but we didn’t encounter anything like this, possibly because the week and even the night before had seen a fair amount of snow accumulate.
How Long Is The Jura Creek Hike
We took around 2 hours to complete the Jura Creek hike and clocked around 8.4km with minimal elevation change. We definitely weren’t moving fast and for those in more of a rush it could easily be done in less time. That being said, there were a number of young children on the trail and for those groups it took considerably longer than 2 hours. It all depends on your group.
What You’ll Need To Hike Jura Creek
We were lucky and fresh snowfall meant there wasn’t any ice on the trail but I still has a set of ice cleats in my backpack in case we encountered any!
With fresh snowfall comes other challenges and the packed down trail was only skinny and it was a busy, sunny Sunday when we hiked it. I often had to step off to the side into fresh fluffy snow which then filled into the top of my boots. I left my gaiters at home and had big regrets!
I’d also suggest packing layers. It was windy and cold for the first kilometer before getting into the slot canyon. I had to be fully layered but once through the slot canyon there was no wind and the sun was hot. The joy of winter hiking!
Places To Stay Nearby
The closest town to the Jura Creek hike is Canmore which offers up a lot of different accommodation options! I love the new MTN House Hotel by Basecamp. Located a short walk from downtown and right beside the highway means it is perfectly located for adventures!
If you are looking for something with a few more amenities check out the Falcon Crest Lodge which offers suites providing you with a kitchen in your room as well as offering a bit more space than a traditional hotel room. A perfect spot if you are staying in town for a week or so, or travelling with a family.
