The Three Sisters (Faith, Charity, and Hope) are the definitive skyline of Canmore, Alberta. Whether you are a landscape photographer, a hiker, or a traveler visiting the Canadian Rockies, these peaks are a must-see landmark.
The peaks have carried several names throughout history, reflecting the diverse cultures of the Bow Valley:
The Original Name: In 1883, they were called the "Three Nuns" after a heavy snowfall made the peaks look like veiled figures.
The Modern Names: Today, they are known individually as Big Sister (Faith), Middle Sister (Charity), and Little Sister (Hope).
Indigenous Significance: To the Stoney Nakoda (Îyârhe Nakoda), the peaks are linked to the trickster spirit Ĩ-ktomnĩ, who reportedly promised three sisters in marriage to escape trouble.
To capture the perfect shot of the Three Sisters, head to these iconic vantage points:
Three Sisters Viewpoint (The "Reflection Pond"): Located off the Bow Valley Trail near the helipad. This is the most famous spot for "mirror" reflections in the water.
Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk: A serene, accessible walk from downtown Canmore that frames the mountains through wetlands and forest.
Canmore Engine Bridge: Offers a wide-angle view of the peaks over the Bow River (also famous as a filming location for HBO's The Last of Us).
Quarry Lake: A beautiful alpine lake that provides a slightly different angle of the range tucked behind Grassi Knob.
While they look beautiful from town, summitting the Three Sisters is a serious undertaking:
Big Sister (Faith): An extreme scramble involving 1,200m of elevation gain over very steep, loose scree. Helmets are mandatory.
Middle Sister (Charity): A long, moderate scramble (approx. 18km round-trip) that follows a rocky creek bed for several kilometers.
Little Sister (Hope): A technical climb rarely attempted by hikers; it requires professional mountaineering skills and gear.
The Three Sisters (Faith, Charity, and Hope) are the definitive skyline of Canmore, Alberta. Whether you are a landscape photographer, a hiker, or a traveler visiting the Canadian Rockies, these peaks are a must-see landmark.
The peaks have carried several names throughout history, reflecting the diverse cultures of the Bow Valley:
The Original Name: In 1883, they were called the "Three Nuns" after a heavy snowfall made the peaks look like veiled figures.
The Modern Names: Today, they are known individually as Big Sister (Faith), Middle Sister (Charity), and Little Sister (Hope).
Indigenous Significance: To the Stoney Nakoda (Îyârhe Nakoda), the peaks are linked to the trickster spirit Ĩ-ktomnĩ, who reportedly promised three sisters in marriage to escape trouble.
To capture the perfect shot of the Three Sisters, head to these iconic vantage points:
Three Sisters Viewpoint (The "Reflection Pond"): Located off the Bow Valley Trail near the helipad. This is the most famous spot for "mirror" reflections in the water.
Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk: A serene, accessible walk from downtown Canmore that frames the mountains through wetlands and forest.
Canmore Engine Bridge: Offers a wide-angle view of the peaks over the Bow River (also famous as a filming location for HBO's The Last of Us).
Quarry Lake: A beautiful alpine lake that provides a slightly different angle of the range tucked behind Grassi Knob.
While they look beautiful from town, summitting the Three Sisters is a serious undertaking:
Big Sister (Faith): An extreme scramble involving 1,200m of elevation gain over very steep, loose scree. Helmets are mandatory.
Middle Sister (Charity): A long, moderate scramble (approx. 18km round-trip) that follows a rocky creek bed for several kilometers.
Little Sister (Hope): A technical climb rarely attempted by hikers; it requires professional mountaineering skills and gear.