Everything you need to know about the Three Sisters in Canmore
- hannahJnc
- Apr 24
- 5 min read
Rising above Canmore, the Three Sisters in Canmore are one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Bow Valley. Whether you’re driving into town, hiking nearby, or just catching a glimpse between buildings, they have a way of quietly demanding your attention.
And no matter how many times I see them, I still get that same reaction: okay wow, there they are again.
After passing them hundreds of times, I started to wonder: what's the story behind them? How were they formed? And who gave them their name? So I went down a little rabbit hole, and what I found needs to be shared. So here we go:
The Three Sisters are located just outside the town of Canmore, Alberta, within the Canadian Rockies and near the edge of Banff National Park.
They consist of three distinct peaks:
Big Sister (Faith): 2,936 m
Middle Sister (Charity): 2,769 m
Little Sister (Hope): 2,694 m
From most viewpoints in Canmore, you’ll see them lined up from left to right in that exact order. And while the Little Sister is technically the smallest, it sometimes appears sharper or more prominent depending on the light and angle.
Why The Three Sisters?
In 1883, the peaks were named the “Three Nuns” by early European settlers in the region. According to local accounts, a snowstorm had covered the mountains in a way that made them resemble nuns in white veils.
Just a few years later, in 1886, the peaks were renamed the “Three Sisters” by George Dawson during his geological surveys of the region.
The new name kept the idea of three connected figures, but shifted away from the religious imagery of the original name.
The Three Sisters are also commonly known as Faith, Charity, and Hope, which are names that reflect the three theological virtues.
These names weren’t part of the original official naming, but they became widely used over time, likely influenced by the earlier name “Three Nuns.” The connection makes sense: both sets of names draw from Christian symbolism, and the idea of three virtues aligns naturally with three peaks standing side by side.
While you won’t find “Faith, Charity, and Hope” on most official maps, the names have stuck through storytelling, tourism, and local use. They also add a layer of meaning that feels surprisingly fitting when you’re standing in front of them.
Long before these names existed...
Long before they were called the “Three Sisters,” long before maps and tourism and viewpoints, these mountains already had meaning.
In the traditional language of the Stoney Nakoda (Îyârhe Nakoda), they are known as Čũgudn gičiyabi ča ya mnĩ, which is associated with the 'three sisters' in their language and stories. The name reflects their presence in the landscape and their connection to storytelling and culture.
One version of the story speaks of a figure, often described as a trickster, who promised three sisters in marriage. The story, like many traditional teachings, carries meaning beyond the literal events. It reflects themes of relationships, responsibility, and the consequences of one’s actions.
As with many Indigenous stories, the details can vary, and not all versions are widely shared outside the community. What matters most is the understanding that these mountains are part of a much deeper cultural landscape, one shaped by stories, teachings, and connections that go back generations and were there long before Europeans arrived.
Their shape
What I find especially fascinating is just how old these mountains really are.
The rock that forms the Three Sisters dates back roughly 100 to 200 million years, from a time when this entire region was covered by a shallow inland sea. It’s strange to think about, but where we’re standing today used to be underwater.
Millions of years later, massive tectonic forces pushed those layers of rock upward, forming the Canadian Rockies. And during the last Ice Age, glaciers carved and shaped the peaks into what we see today: sharp ridgelines, steep faces, and that dramatic skyline.
So in a way, what you’re looking at is the result of:
an ancient ocean
shifting continents
and thousands of years of ice and erosion
Watching over Canmore
It’s hard not to feel like the Three Sisters are watching over Canmore.
The town itself has changed a lot over time. It started as a coal mining community, built on industry, shaped by hard work. When you chat to locals, they'll tell you 15 years ago, nobody wanted to live here.
Today, it’s something completely different: Canmore became a hub for outdoor enthusiasts, and a place centered around trails, climbing, fresh air, and mountain life.
And through all of that change, the three sisters have stood there and watched us, and sometimes I find that kind of grounding, because no matter how much everything else shifts and how crazy our world goes, they’re still there.
Can you hike the Three Sisters?
Yes, but it’s not for beginners.
While the Three Sisters are a popular sight from town, hiking them is a completely different experience. These are not marked tourist trails, and reaching the summits involves scrambling, route-finding, and in some cases technical climbing.
Big Sister (Faith)
The highest and most challenging
Typically requires technical climbing skills
❗Not recommended without experience and proper equipment
Middle Sister (Charity)
A difficult scramble
Steep terrain, loose rocks, and exposure
Route-finding skills are essential
Little Sister (Hope)
The most accessible of the three
Still considered a moderate to difficult scramble
Popular among experienced hikers looking to step into scrambling
While it's tempting to go up there, I heard many people say it's not worth it and it's more fun to admire them from a distance. But if you decide to attempt one of these: don't go alone, be prepared and make sure you check trail conditions before you go.
📍 Best views of the Three Sisters in Canmore
If you’re visiting Canmore, you don’t need to climb the peaks to experience them. Some of the best views of the Three Sisters are actually right from town—or just a short walk away.
Here are a few of the best viewpoints in Canmore to see the Three Sisters:
Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk (my favourite)
👉 easy access, reflections, quiet moments
Quarry Lake Park: From here, you get a slightly elevated perspective with the lake in the foreground and the Three Sisters rising behind it. It’s one of the most photographed views in Canmore (Downside: you have to pay for parking)
👉 classic postcard shots, swimming in summer, sunset views
Drive the Three Sisters Parkway
👉 getting closer, quieter viewpoints
Sources:
Parks Canada, Banff National Park: Official information on the Bow Valley region, geology, and surrounding landscapes (https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banff)
Travel Alberta: Canmore & Kananaskis Region: Tourism overview of Canmore, the Rockies, and nearby natural attractions (https://www.travelalberta.com)
Canmore Kananaskis Tourism (Official Destination Site): Local insights, travel information, and regional highlights for Canmore and Kananaskis (https://www.explorecanmore.ca)
Natural Resources Canada: Geological context of the Canadian Rockies and mountain formation processes (https://natural-resources.canada.ca)
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