Chain Lakes- Nanton

Shortcut across the Foothills

This connector road transitions from prairie flatlands to Rockies foothills in just a few beautiful kilometers. It is a favourite shortcut for locals travelling between Calgary and Crowsnest Pass.

At the road's eastern extremity is the town of Nanton, a former grain terminal for regional farmers. The rail tracks are now lifted but the two classic wooden grain elevators have been maintained and brightly re-painted in their original green and orange. The town is now best known for its row of antique retailers along Highway 2 and the town's nicely preserved.

Nanton also hosts an aeronautical museum honouring the Word War II Lancaster bomber. Canada's most extensive outdoor railway and G-Scale model train shop is found on 18th Street.

Waypoints

From Highway 2 at the southern end of Nanton (GPS N50 20.343 W113 45.860) turn west onto Highway 533. Continue to the end of the road at a T-intersection with Highway 22 (GPS N50 20.336 W114 13.764). Turn south on Highway 22 towards Crowsnest Pass, or north towards Longview, Black Diamond and ultimately Calgary.