What you get on this adventure: An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area 6 days of hiking through the Banff area Daily transportation from your hotel in Banff to the hiking areas Permit and entrance fees Accommodation for day 4 and day 5 What’s not included: Transportation to and from Banff Accommodations for the rest of the adventure (must be in Banff) Meals and snacks Guide gratuities — optional

How fit do I need to be?

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.

What do I need to bring?

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 Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity) Lightweight hiking boots or shoes Warm clothing Spare clothes for layering Waterproof rain jacket Sunhat 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 age requirements

Group sizes and prices: For this hiking adventure in Banff, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 5:1. That’s also the maximum group size. It takes a minimum of 3 people for this tour to operate. 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.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to Banff National Park, most people fly into Calgary International Airport . Once you’re there, you have a 1.5-hour drive to Banff. You can either rent a car or take a shuttle service. Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

Covid measures in the Banff area

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 Banff area, please refer to the official Alberta COVID-19 travel requirements . 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!

Hiking tour in Banff in the Canadian Rockies.

Cory Pass and Gargoyle Valley in Banff NP.

Banff National Park | Alberta

Hiking in the Canadian Rockies’ Wilderness With Lake O’Hara

5.00 ()

Season

July through September

Duration

6 days

Difficulty

Guide

Alpine Air Adventures

Questions, additional dates, private groups

Book a call

From $1,290 () / 6 days

Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Reviews
Things to know

With vast stretches of untamed beauty of multiple national parks, the Canadian Rockies make for an unrivaled guided hiking experience. And it’s no wonder—the views here look ripped from the pages of National Geographic: sharp-ridged peaks of the Gargoyle Valley, emerald hues of the surreal Lake O’Hara, or canyons carved by thousands of years of water erosion. Feel the remoteness of the Canadian wilderness by walking along well-maintained trails, which offer over a thousand miles of unparalleled hiking opportunities. Make sure to keep a watchful gaze for any signs of the wildlife roaming these lands: it’s not uncommon to spot bighorn sheep, bull elk, or mountain goats, just to name a few!

Adventure highlights

Canadian Rockies' best-ofs

Countless hiking trails winding their way through unspoiled wilderness, including to Lake O’Hara
Lessons from the guide

Explore and learn about the local flora and fauna right from the trail
Straight-off-a-postcard views

Hike along spectacular mountains, sparkling lakes, mighty glaciers, and other natural marvels

Itinerary

Discover and enjoy an abundance of breathtaking adventures on this six-day guided hiking trip through the Banff National Park. Learn about the indigenous nature and culture of the Canadian Rockies. Let your guide take you on some of the best trails this area has to offer — spend your days making friendships with other hikers in the group, and explore the splendid Canadian landscape!

After meeting with your guides in Banff, you’ll kick off the trip with one of the most beautiful gems in the Canadien Rockies—Lake O’Hara! This is a very scenic hike leading you to this turquoise alpine lake at 6,630 ft. After taking in stunning views of the lake, you’ll go back to Banff, settle in, and explore this small town, uniquely situated within Alberta’s portion of the Rocky Mountains.
As you’re traversing the Corry Pass to Edith Pass, your guide will share some interesting facts about the geology and wildlife of this part of Canada. During the 9-mile (15-kilometer) hike, you’ll enjoy stunning views of Alberta’s landscapes: as you ascend up and over Cory Pass, enjoy the views of Gargoyle Valley, and then pass under the flanks of Mt. Louis, part of the Sawbacks. Travel back to Banff for a warm meal and some R&R.
Visit the Plain of the Six Glaciers at Lake Louise and hike the 9-mile (15-kilometer) moderate trail along the lake with stunning glacier views. You will have the opportunity to hike right up to the Victoria glacier, an amazing place surrounded by rock walls and glaciers descending from the high peaks. Spend the night in Banff and relax with your group.
Today, you’ll head up the Icefields Parkway towards Bow Lake and the Wapta Icefields. Spend the day hiking up to Helen Lake—one of the premier hikes in Banff NP. That evening you will arrive at the Rampart Creek Hostel and experience the relaxed living in the Rockies.
Today, you’ll firstly drive a short distance to the North, entering Jasper National Park. Then, enjoy a must-do hike into Wilcox meadows and Mt Wilcox ascent, with magnificent views of the world-renowned Columbia icefields. Spend the evening back at the Rampart Creek Hostel.
You’ll spend the final day of your trip exploring one of Canada’s national parks. You can either go to Banff NP for a shorter hike to Johnston Canyon, an incredible marvel carved by thousands of years of water erosion, or spend the day trekking through the Stanley Glacier in Kootenay NP. Then it’s time to say goodbye to your guides, but if you’d like to stay longer in the area, just ask them for some recommendations!

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Meet your guide

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 (2 reviews)

Knowledge and trust

RJK1414 (source: Tripadvisor)

If your looking for an adventure in the wilds of Alberta and need a professional guide service, look no further. My recent mountaineering trip to Banff was a moving experience thanks to Alpine Air guides Jeff and Jess. Their experience, easy-going personalities, and knowledge of the region made this trip memorable and safe- not to mention some tasty food along the way as well. You will learn, and you will do more than you thought you could. Outstanding guide service. Outstanding guides. Beautiful country. I highly recommend Alpine Air.

Making your adventure a reality

MParker_117 (source: Tripadvisor)

The small but dedicated team at Alpine Air Adventures is eager to make sure you get the adventure you are seeking. There are several guiding companies in the area and I reached out to them all when planning my trip to Banff. AAA was responsive, answered all my questions, and provided additional details to help pick my route, and they were also among the most affordable. As a small shop, they can keep their costs down while their service remains high. My guide listened to what I wanted, used his local knowledge and expertise to pick out a climb that ticked all my boxes, then took me on an adventure that I won’t soon forget.

Things to know

What you get on this adventure:
- - An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 6 days of hiking through the Banff area
  - Daily transportation from your hotel in Banff to the hiking areas
  - Permit and entrance fees
  - Accommodation for day 4 and day 5
What’s not included:
- - Transportation to and from Banff
  - Accommodations for the rest of the adventure (must be in Banff)
  - Meals and snacks
  - 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
  - Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
  - Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
  - Warm clothing
  - Spare clothes for layering
  - Waterproof rain jacket
  - Sunhat
  - 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 this hiking adventure in Banff, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 5:1. That’s also the maximum group size.
  - It takes a minimum of 3 people for this tour to operate.
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 Banff National Park, most people fly into Calgary International Airport. Once you’re there, you have a 1.5-hour drive to Banff. You can either rent a car or take a shuttle service.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location. The guide will 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 Banff area, please refer to the official Alberta COVID-19 travel requirements.

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!
Deposits

You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

Secure your early bird spot with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you will be the first one to know about any new upcoming dates. Pick your preferred dates without the risk of your bucket list adventure selling out!
- Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure anytime in case the dates don’t suit you.
  
  Once the dates are set, you can confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total amount.
  
  The final balance is due 3 months (90 days) prior to departure.
Cancellations

Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

Basic
- In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  
  For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
  
  For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.
Flexible
- In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  
  For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  
  For cancellations 30-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
  
  For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, there is no refund.
Super Flexible
- In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  
  For cancellations 30 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  
  For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
Your guides reserve the right to modify or cancel the trip due to insufficient enrollment, unfavorable weather conditions, or other reasons. In the unlikely event they have to cancel the trip, clients will be notified as soon as possible.

If you want to cancel your trip, you can go on another one offered by the guide if it’s available—you can transfer to another course or program date with an administrative fee.