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 glacier-fed Lake Louise, 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.
Countless hiking trails winding their way through the unspoiled wilderness
Explore and learn about the local flora and fauna right from the trail
Hike along spectacular mountains, sparkling lakes, mighty glaciers, and other natural marvels
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 spend the day exploring one of Canada’s national parks. You can either go to Banff NP for a warm-up 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. Settle in and explore the small town of Banff 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.
After a hearty breakfast, 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. Once you return to Banff, enjoy one of the many great restaurants that the town has to offer.
In order to get to some of the best scenery in Banff NP, today’s hike will be to Sentinel Pass, where you can admire the tranquil lake encircled by high peaks. You might traverse the Wenkchemna Pass near Lake Louise.
On your last day you can do one of the shorter hikes, perhaps a trip to Lake O’Hara if possible. Prepare for your trip back home and enjoy your last moments in this amazing area!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
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:
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:
Hiking in the Canadian Rockies can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
For regular dates, a 25% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 1 month (30 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
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.
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!
