Some places look better in real life than in photos, and the Canadian Rockies are one of them. On this trip we start before dawn at Moraine Lake, hike up for views over the Columbia Icefield, and spend an afternoon on gentle trails in the alpine meadows above Sunshine Village, where marmots outnumber people. In between, we explore the quiet valleys of Kananaskis and stop wherever the Icefields Parkway gives us a reason to. Each night we come back to the same comfortable hotel in Banff or Canmore, so there’s no packing up every morning. You just need comfortable boots and a camera with plenty of storage.
This 6-day guided trip covers four days of hiking in the Canadian Rockies. We start and finish in Banff and stay in a 3-star hotel in Banff or Canmore for all five nights. Each day we take a private van to a different corner of the range: Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, the quieter valleys of Kananaskis Country, glacier views along the Icefields Parkway, and Kootenay’s Marble Canyon followed by the alpine meadows of Sunshine. Hikes run 3–4 hours at a steady, unhurried pace. Daily breakfasts, most lunches, two dinners, gondola tickets, and all in-tour transport are included, and groups are kept to 12 people or fewer.
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In order to join this Banff hiking tour, good fitness is required as well as comfort being active on your feet several days in a row. The most you’ll hike within a day is up to 10 km (6 mi), with up to 600 m (2,000 ft) of elevation gain.
The hiking is varied rather than extreme, and the terrain is moderate throughout. You’ll only carry a daypack, since private transportation moves the group between trailheads and you’re back at the hotel each night. No technical skills or previous mountain experience are needed, just a willingness to keep moving and enjoy the views.
If you’d prefer to hike with a women-only group, check out our All-Women Hiking Tour in the Canadian Rockies—same itinerary, different experience with like-minded women.
Clothing:
Gear:
Optional:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
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Group sizes:
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This Banff hiking tour is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.
Solo travelers are welcome—they can either share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee.
The starting point of your Banff hiking tour is Banff. To get there, most people fly into Calgary Airport (YYC). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Banff.
Airport transfers aren’t included, but your guides can arrange them at an additional cost. Just leave a note at checkout if you’re interested.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
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From start to finish, everything felt relaxed, well organized, and thoughtfully planned. Our guide, Ray, was amazing—knowledgeable, approachable, and honest when she wasn’t 100% sure, which made the experience feel even more authentic. We had a smaller group, and she was incredibly flexible, adjusting timing and plans to fit what worked best for everyone. It never felt rushed and truly felt personal. I wouldn’t change a thing.