Discover the wonders of the most majestic mountains in Canada

For hiking enthusiasts, the Canadian Rockies present endless opportunity. Sprawling over 180 thousand square kilometers, the range encompasses five different national parks, all interwoven with a well-developed and well-maintained trail network offering world-class hikes for all skill levels. You’ll find everything here: wildflower walks like Sawback, lavish lakeside circuits like Lake O’Hara, high-exposure ridgeline walks like Castle Mountain, and honestly, anything else your hiking heart desires. Lace up your boots and learn how the Rockies earned their spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

  • Abundance of classic trails for all levels of hikers

  • Five different national parks at your disposal

  • The trail network is well thought-out and excellently maintained

Choose itinerary

Beginner to intermediate - Lake O’Hara Hiking Tour
Jun 03 onwards
Intermediate to Advanced - Castle Mountain Highline Hiking Tour
May 05 onwards

Meet your guide

Alpine Air Adventures
5.00
Alpine Air Adventures
You’re never on your own in the Banff wilderness because the experienced professionals from Alpine Air Adventures are here to guide you. While they know how to have a great time, they’re always mindful of advanced safety practices. They’re committed to showing each of their guests the best of the Rockies while protecting them every step of the way.
5.00 (3 reviews)
Adam Z. about Alpine Air Adventures on Tripadvisor

We hiked Lake O’Hara with Andrew. He did an amazing job taking us to places we wouldn’t have gone. This was the first time we went on a guided hike and we would definitely do it again. We learned things about the area and hiking. This was my parents’ first time in the Canadian Rockies, and the whole group had a great time! Definitely recommend this experience and Andrew as a guide!

Margaret about Alpine Air Adventures on Tripadvisor

We had an absolutely fabulous experience with Mountain Park, we received a ride from Lake Louise to YYC. Richard was our driver and was such a friendly and knowledgeable guide, we could not have asked for any more. We would highly recommend it!

Aaron D. about Alpine Air Adventures on Tripadvisor

My family did the ridge line hike with Jeff, and it was the coolest thing we’ve ever done on vacation. 5 isn’t high enough a rating. The views are ridiculous. The hike is a challenge, but manageable. I can’t recommend this enough.

Things to know

  • What you get on this adventure:

      • An experienced, certified guide with extensive knowledge of the area
      • A full day of hiking
      • All necessary technical gear for the Castle Mountain tour
      • Round trip Park Canada bus ticket for the Lake O’Hara tour

    What’s not included:

      • Transportation to the trailhead
      • Accommodations
      • Food and drinks
      • Guide gratuities — optional
  • The best thing about hiking in the Canadian Rockies is that there are incredible options for all skill levels. For beginner hikes, if you can walk for four to six hours with little elevation gain, you are good to go! Intermediate hikes will see a little more change in elevation and hikes will start to increase in length, hiking anywhere between four to eight miles. Advanced hikes are full-day treks with steep descents and challenging switchbacks. Keep in mind, the weather in summer can be very hot and you’ll also be packing a daypack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day.

  • Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

      • Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag)
      • Hiking poles — optional
      • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
      • Comfortable hiking boots or shoes
      • Spare clothes for layering
      • Waterproof rain jacket
      • Sunhat
      • Lunch, snacks, and drinks
      • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
      • Headlamp or flashlight
      • Sunglasses
      • Camera — optional (but recommended)

    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.

  • Group sizes and prices:

      • For the Castle Mountain hiking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 8:1. 
      • For the Lake O’Hara hiking tour, due to seating limits, the max client-to-guide ratio is 4:1.
      • The cost does not decrease as the group grows. 

    Hiking in the Canadian Rockies can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

    Min. age requirements:

      • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
      • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

    If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

  • To get to Lake Louise or Banff, the towns nearest to the trailheads, most people fly into Calgary International Airport 3 hours away. From there, you can rent a car or take a bus or shuttle service.

    Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, which will usually be at the Castle Mountain gas station for the Castle Mountain tour or the Lake O’Hara Parking Area for the Lake O’Hara tour. The guide will then choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

  • 57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. 

    We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the Canadian Rockies, please refer to the Government of Canada website.

    Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

Have more questions? Read our FAQ,
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