Hiking in the Canadian Rockies
| › Kootenay National Park |
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| › Yoho National Park |
| › Around Banff |
| › Around Lake Louise |
| › Jasper National Park |
Hiking in Kootenay National Park
There are over 200km of trails in Kootenay National Park. Hikes range from short, wheelchair accessible interpretive trails at the park’s most famous landmarks to lonely and challenging backcountry hikes that cross the Continental Divide into Banff.
Paint Pots
The Paint Pots, located 86km north of Radium Hot Springs are one of Kootenay National Park’s most famous landmarks. View the iron-rich mineral pools which stain the surrounding earth deep red via an easy *1.5km trail.
Marble Canyon
This 40m-deep limestone gorge lies just a few kilometers north east of the Paint Pots. Follow a short interpretive trail which includes a series of footbridges above Tokumm Creek which carved the canyon.
Stanley Glacier Trail
This moderate 5.5km trail runs through fire-damaged forest and ends with views of Stanley Glacier, hence the nickname “fire and ice trail”. It takes about four hours and makes for a perfect half-day hike. Along the way look out for waterfalls, wildflowers, caves, creeks and regenerating forest. The trailhead starts a few kilometers inside the Banff/Kootenay border.
Kindersley Pass Trail
Kindersley Pass Trail at the south end of Kootenay National Park is noted for its fabulous mountain views and wild flower displays. The hike begins in valley forest and crosses avalanche slopes and is a steady uphill climb with an elevation gain of 1,135 over its 10km. Drink in the panoramic views of several mountain ranges at Kindersley Summit as you take a breather.
Floe Lake Trail
Lakes in the Canadian Rockies don’t get much more stunning than Floe Lake. This mountain lake, in the northern half of the park, is surrounded on two sides by steep cliffs. In the summer, huge blocks of ice that have sheared from the glacier float in the lake; in the fall the lakeside larches glow gold. The challenging 10.7km trail passes through fire-damaged forest and meadows.
Rockwall Trail
At more than 55km, the Rockwall Trail provides an epic three to five day backcountry experience. Considered on of the classic backcountry hikes in theCanadian Rockies, the trail which follows the north-west boundary of the park passes beneath sheer limestone walls, hanging glaciers and 
across alpine passes.
There are several entry/exit points through the valleys to the highway for hikers who only want to cover a section of the trail.
Tips: Pick up a wilderness pass for backcountry hikes, be bear aware and bring bug spray in the summer.
*All distances are one-way.
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Hiking in Yoho National Park
“Yoho” means awe and wonder in the native Cree language. You can find out if the park lives up to its name by tackling some of the 400km of trails that run within its boundaries. Yoho’s dramatic waterfalls, the accessible Emerald Lake, the heavily protected Lake O’Hara area and the Yoho Valley are among the highlights. Pick up a trail map from the visitor centre in Field or book the services of a local guide.
Wapta Falls
Catch the cascading waters of the Kicking Horse River at Wapta Falls near the west entrance to Yoho National Park. The 4.6km round trip to one of the park’s most spectacular falls is flat and easy.
Emerald Lake 
Emerald Lake, north of the town of Field, is the iconic Yoho lake. From the 5.2km interpretive lake loop, hikers will see mountains, glaciers, flower-covered avalanche slopes, the Burgess Shale fossil beds and of course the lake itself.
Although it can get busy, Emerald Lake is also a good spot for wildlife watching at dusk and dawn.
Iceline Trail
The Iceline Trail is famous for providing fantastic views of several glaciers, some of the parks grandest peaks and Takakkaw Falls, the second highest waterfall in Canada. You’ll need a long day to complete this 21km circuit high in the Yoho Valley north of Emerald Lake. This sometimes strenuous hike will take you from forest, past glacial lakes, across barren glacial moraine and right up to the edge of the Emerald Glacier.
Lake O’Hara Valley
Lake O’Hara is spectacular and exclusive and you’ll need to plan ahead if you want to hike or camp in this high alpine region a few kilometers west of the Continental Divide.
Access is restricted to protect the area and you’ll either have to hike the 11km access road or pay and reserve a seat on the shuttle bus to reach the lake.
Once you arrive there are plenty of moderate to difficult day hikes to choose from.
Burgess Shale
The Burgess Shale fossil beds in Yoho National Park are considered one of the most important fossil finds anywhere in the world. The perfectly preserved fossils of 500-million-year-old marine creatures were first discovered in 1909. Scientific research in the area continues today and access to the area is restricted. Guided tours with small groups are available through Parks Canada and the Burgess Shale Geoscience Foundation.
Tips: Seats on the Lake O’Hara bus and campsites at Lake O’Hara can be booked three months in advance by phone.
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Hiking around Banff
Banff National Park may play host to four million visitors a year but with 1,600km of hiking trails to choose from it’s easy to escape high-traffic areas. The hiking trails close to Banff can be particularly busy, but drive a few kilometers out of town and you can walk out into the wilderness and claim your own quiet piece of alpine heaven.
Tunnel Mountain
When time is limited, the Tunnel Mountain trail (4.6km) is a popular choice for a 2-to-3-hour hike. It may not be the most striking mountain in Banff National Park but it is one of the most climbed, thanks to its location in the middle of Banff. This easy-to-moderate hike offers up unforgettable views of Banff and the Bow Valley.
Vermilion Lakes
The wetland area of Vermilion Lakes just to the west of Banff offers easy, flat terrain and 
good bird watching opportunities at dusk and dawn. Most of the 10.6km trail runs below the TransCanada Highway but the chance to see the reflections of Mount Rundle and Sulphur Mountain more than make up for any disturbance.
Lake Minnewanka
Lake Minnewanka, which is the longest lake in Banff National Park, is a convenient starting point for a number of hikes. The 8km C Level Cirque hike is a good half-day trip that offers great scenery and a little history for only a moderate effort.
For day or backcountry hikes, try the Aylmer Pass (27km) or Aylmer Lookout (23km) trails. Visitors should allow between seven to nine hours to complete either hike or make it an overnight trip with a stay at the Aylmer Pass Junction Campground.
Johnston Canyon
The Johnston Canyon to Ink Pots trail (12km) off the Bow Valley Parkway between Banff and Lake Louise is one of the busiest hiking spots in Banff National Park. The hike through the dramatic limestone canyon takes in the Lower Falls which drop 10m and the Upper Falls which feature 30m high cascades. 
The six pools of clear spring water known as the Ink Pots are another 3.5km further along in the Johnston Valley.
There are also plenty of rugged backcountry hiking within easy reach of Banff if you’re looking for something quieter and more adventurous. The trails to Healey Pass (19km), Harvey Pass (20km), Twin Lakes (15km) and Egypt Lake (13km) offer challenging climbs, uncrowded trails, varied terrain, great open vistas and access to wilderness campgrounds.
Guided interpretive tours and multi-day backcountry hikes to some of the most remote areas of the park are available from several companies in Banff and Canmore.
Tips: Banff National Park regulations require a minimum group size of four from mid-July on the Lake Minnewanka backcountry trails to protect against possible grizzly attacks.
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Hiking around Lake Louise
When you hike the Lake Louise area, your camera will never stop clicking. There are two show-stopping lakes, glaciers cling to mountains in every direction and it’s easy to reach open views above the treeline because the trailheads start at a high altitude.
Lake Louise
Some of the most popular hikes in Banff National Park start at Lake Louise. The moderately strenuous trail to Lake Agnes (7km) starts along the shoreline of Lake Louise before ascending through old-growth forest, past hidden lakes and waterfalls. Few people make the two-to-three hour return trip without stopping by the Lake Agnes Teahouse.
The other classic hike from Lake Louise is the Plain of Six Glaciers which also has a teahouse at the finish line. The early part of the 11km trail runs beneath the dramatic north shore cliffs of Lake Louise. The return journey takes around four hours. As an alternative, you can hike a 15km loop that joins with the St Agnes Trail in about five hours. Whatever trail you choose, you’ll love the panoramic views of six hanging glaciers at the summit.
Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake may be smaller and a little quieter than Lake Louise but it is equally picturesque.
If you are in the Moraine Lake area in late summer, early fall, don’t miss out on the Larch Trail (6km) which takes you through groves of glowing larch trees. At two-hours, it’s not a long hike but there are some tough uphill sections.
Stop for a picnic at the Minnestimma Lakes or extend the hike by 2.5km by continuing on to Sentinel Pass across Larch Valley. Along the way there are awesome views of Moraine Lake, the Ten Peaks, and glimpses of Paradise Valley.
The hike to the Wenkchemna Pass (20km) is an epic day trek to the crest of the Valley of the Ten Peaks. There’s less foot traffic than on the Larch and Sentinel trails and at the end of the trail there are unbelievable views of the valley and glacial peaks. Allow at least eight hours for the rugged hike.
Paradise Valley
The aptly named Paradise Valley sits between Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
Trailheads for Giant Steps (20km) and Lake Annette (12km) start at Moraine Lake Road. Trails including Sheol Valley (25km), link Lake Louise to Paradise Valley.
Tips: A minimum group size of six is required on some Moraine Lake trails in the summer to guard against grizzly bear encounters and some trails are closed during the summer to protect bear feeding grounds.
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Hiking in Jasper National Park
You’ll be following in the footsteps of migrating wildlife, ancient Aboriginal groups and early explorers when you set out on a hike in Jasper National Park. There are over 1,000km of marked trails in Jasper that take you to glaciers, waterfalls, gorges, alpine lakes, hot springs and to some of the highest mountains in the Canadian Rockies.
Columbia Icefield
The Columbia Icefield 120km south of Jasper provides a rare opportunity to explore glacial terrain. It’s possible to take short, unguided hikes to the edge of the Athabasca Glacier but to stay safe on treacherous terrain, you’ll need the help of a registered guide.
There are a number of half-day hikes close by including Beauty Creek and Stanley Falls and Parker Ridge that allow you to hike tundra and view the surrounding glaciers in relative safety.
Maligne Valley
The winding 45km road that runs to the Maligne Valley is an adventure in itself with plenty of stunning view points and opportunities for wildlife spotting.
The road stops at Maligne Lake, one of the jewels of Jasper National Park. Encircled by forest and snowy mountain peaks, it a great starting point for hikes long or short. For a gentle stroll, there’s the 3.2km Mary Schäffer Loop which doesn’t stray too far from the main parking lots.
Allow at least four to six hours for the more robust Bald Hills hike. The steep 10.4km trail offers overhead views of Maligne Lake, flower-filled alpine meadows in late July and August and great panoramas of the surrounding mountains.
Backpackers love the Skyline Trail which runs for 44km from Maligne Lake to Jasper. Plenty of above-the-treeline views combined with several well-placed backcountry campsites and a choice of walk-out trails, make it Jasper’s most popular multi-day hike. Plan for at least two-to-three days and book campsites 3-months in advance if visiting during the summer.
Maligne Canyon, is one of the most dramatic gorges in the Canadian Rockies. Walk the canyon from bottom to top to get the best views of the carved limestone walls, hidden caves, deep-water springs and thundering waterfalls. The 4km round-trip takes between one to two hours. In the winter the canyon freezes over and several companies offer guided ice walks.
Edith Cavell Area
Cavell Meadows south of Jasper is a popular hiking destination that promises great wildflower displays in the summer and clear views of the photogenic Mount Edith Cavell and Angel glacier. Allow between three-to-six hours for the 8km walk.
For a stark contrast, try the 1.6km Path of the Glacier Loop through rugged moraine. Sheer cliffs, breaking icebergs and ice avalanches provide a real-life lesson in alpine geology.
Valley of the Five Lakes
For anyone looking for a relaxing valley hike, this trail located 9km south of Jasper, is just the thing. It will take just a couple of hours to complete this easy 4km circuit through forest, wetland and alpine meadows.
Tips: Always check your gas tank before you leave Jasper to drive to the hike site. Gas stations are few and far between.
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