1. Home
  2. North America
  3. Canada
  4. Hiking in the Canadian Rockies
Map of Hiking in the Canadian Rockies including Canada

Uncover the awe-inspiring beauty of the Canadian Rockies on foot

It doesn’t get more beautiful than the Canadian Rockies – snow-capped peaks, glittering lakes and a tranquil escape from the modern world. Give your legs and camera batteries a workout as you hike through magnificent scenery most can only dream about, from the pure spectacle of Jasper National Park to the rugged beauty of Banff and the showstopping landscapes of Yoho National Park. Search for wildlife at Maligne Lake, explore the famed landscapes of Lake Louise and travel along the iconic Icefields Parkway. Throw in an expert local leader and a group of likeminded travellers and you’re on track for an unforgettable adventure.

Start
Calgary, Canada
Finish
Calgary, Canada
Destination
Canada
Style
Basix
Theme
Walking & Trekking
Code
SFXR
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Set out on some of the world’s most spectacular walks, hiking through the Bow Glacier Falls, Valley of the Five Lakes, Wilcox Pass, Peyto Lake, the Iceline Trail and Tunnel Mountain.

  • Not only will you enjoy the expertise of a local leader, but all hikes will be led by a certified hiking guide, ensuring your maximum safety and comfort. And with all meals included, fuelling up for your adventures is a breeze.

  • Taking in stunning scenery isn’t just reserved for hikes – at the end of each day you’ll retire to scenic campgrounds serving up truly memorable views.

  • Marvel at the natural wonders of the Rockies during visits to Maligne Lake, Yoho’s natural bridge, Lake Louise, Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake and the phenomenal Icefields Parkway.

  • Enjoy time to discover all that Jasper town and Banff National Park have to offer, with hiking, biking, hot pools and cosy pubs right at your fingertips.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is a walking trip with some hikes taking up to six hours over rocky terrain, so a good level of fitness and appropriate walking gear is a must.

  • This is a camping trip where you are expected to pitch in with setting up tents and helping out with cooking and washing up.

  • This trip starts on Day 1 as early as 7.30am and finishes on day 8 upon arrival to Calgary at around 4pm. You may wish to pre-book additional nights in Calgary at the start and end of the trip.

Group of travellers admiring Peyto lake and mountains in Calgary, Alberta
Banff cityscape with mountains in background, Calgary, Alberta
People canoeing across crystal clear waters in Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park
Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park
Male hiker stopping to admire mountains in Banff National Park, Calgary, Alberta
Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park, British Columbia

Itinerary
Expand All Collapse All

Welcome to the Canadian Rockies! Your adventure begins in Calgary with a welcome meeting at 7.30am. You’ll be briefed on the activities ahead and meet your local leader and fellow travellers, then it’s time to hit the road bound for Banff National Park. First hike of the trip will be a climb up the scenic Sulphur Mountain, or you could also kick your feet up and ride a famous Banff gondola up to the summit. Sulphur Mountain is named for the two sulphurous hot springs found on its lower slopes, and it guarantees breathing, panoramic views of the Rockies. As the hike is relatively short, you will have some time this afternoon to explore Banff. You could also relax and unwind in the Banff upper hot springs – at a height of 5000ft (1524m), these are Canada’s highest natural springs. Evenings here are just as fun-filled as the days; perhaps head to a local eatery to sample an elk burger, or check out the beverages at the town’s microbrewery – the views here are worth raising a toast to!
Accommodation
  • Campground (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Morning hike on Sulphur Mountain
Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Make the drive this morning to Lake Louise. Here you’ll experience natural beauty at its very best – dazzling peaks dusted with snow are juxtaposed against the pristine glittering lake, creating an image that looks too perfect to be real. There are many hiking options here spanning various lengths and levels of difficulty – speak to your leader for more information on which hike is best for you. If you choose a shorter option, the Lake Louise Fairmont Hotel sits right on the shores of the lake and serves as a perfect spot to take in the scenery with some poutine or a cocktail in hand. Late afternoon will bring another chance to visit hot springs and afterwards, re-group with your fellow travellers for dinner.
Accommodation
  • Campground (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sulphur Mountain Hot Springs visit
  • Lake Louise & Moraine Lake full day hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Rise bright and early for another day full of adventure. After a scenic ride along Icefield Parkway, arrive at the beautiful Bow Lake and set out on yet another of many truly incredible walks. This 5.6-mile circuit will lead you around the reflective waters of the lake, skimming a gorge with water rushing below, through to an outwash plain where you can see the wild Bow Falls. You’ll also soak in epic views with every step; Crowfoot Mountain, Bow Crow Peak, Mt Gordon and many other peaks provide the backdrop for your walk. After an exciting day, retire to your remote and picturesque campground and special BBQ dinner under the stars.
Accommodation
  • Campground (1 night)
Included Activities
  • BBQ dinner surrounded by Rockies peaks
  • Bow Glacier Falls Hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Wake up and breathe in the fresh mountain air before returning to the Icefields Parkway. So much more than just a road, the parkway is punctuated with many world-class wonders, and your drive will be broken up with stops at magnificent lakes, waterfalls or glaciers. You’ll then head out on the Valley of the Five Lakes hike through the remarkable landscapes of Jasper National Park. The hike is expected to take around two to three hours, and as the name suggests, you will pass by five beautiful alpine lakes, each displaying different shades of blues and greens caused by varying depths, algae and glacial dust.
Accommodation
  • Campground (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Valley of Five Lakes Hike
  • Icefield Parkway stops & Athabasca Glacier
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

This morning you will travel to Maligne Lake – famed for its bright blue waters, there are few more beautiful spots in the country. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way – moose, deer, grizzlies and black bears have all been spotted along this stretch of road. There are two gentle hiking options available in the area, or you may prefer to rent a canoe or kayak to see the lake’s beauty from a different perspective. Your leader will be on hand to make suggestions on the best way to enjoy a morning here. Stop for lunch and take some time to soak up the amazing scenery, then spend the afternoon in Jasper town, with a laidback vibe and a picture-perfect mountain backdrop. You may like to hire a bike and explore the area on two wheels, sit back and relax in one of the town’s cosy pubs or take the Jasper SkyTram up The Whistlers mountain, from where you can take a short walk with jaw-dropping views of Jasper National Park.
Accommodation
  • Campground (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Jasper townsite visit
  • Maligne Lake walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Put your best foot forward this morning and set out on the Willcox Pass Hike, expected to take around three to four hours. Trek past a small wetland, take in views of the Sunwapta Pass and climb above the treeline to a set of Canada’s famous red chairs, inviting visitors to sit back and take a moment to soak up the view. You’ll also be able to see the glaciers and peaks of the Columbia Icefield, including the awe-inspiring Athabasca glacier. Then, drive on to Peyto Lake, made famous by its icy glacial waters, and take a short hike up to a viewpoint where you can admire the lake in its vibrant glory.
Accommodation
  • Campground (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Wilcox Pass walk
  • Peyto viewpoint
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Begin your day traveling to Yoho National Park and visit its natural bridge, spanning the powerful Kicking Horse River. Then continue to Emerald Lake -true to its name, the cool green waters are truly a sight to behold. Then it’s time to get your heartrate up on the Iceline Trail within the park, following a splendid circuit past soaring mountains decorated with glaciers, dramatic valleys and peaceful meadows. Depending on the interests of the group, there is an 8.6 mile or 13 mile option, both serving up unforgettable scenery. After your hike, give your legs a rest as you make a short and gentle walk to the Takakkaw Falls, where you’ll soon find out why the name translates to ‘wonderful’ in the First Nations Cree language. At a cloud-piercing height of 373m, this is the second tallest waterfall in Canada, and surely the most spectacular to look at.
Accommodation
  • Campground (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Emerald Lake to Iceline Trail & Takakkaw Falls hike
  • Natural Bridge walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Start the day with a short hike at Tunnel Mountain, a final chance to walk among the Rockies’s unbeatable scenery. Afterwards, begin the journey back to Calgary (approximately 1.5 hours), stopping along the way in the cosy mountain town of Canmore. Take some time so reminisce about all you’ve achieved and discovered over the course of your adventure during lunch (at your own expense). Return to Calgary, where on arrival (approximately 4pm) your adventure will come to an end.
Included Activities
  • Canmore townsite visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners

Transport

Private Van

Accommodation

Camping (7 nights)

Included activities

  • Morning hike on Sulphur Mountain
  • Sulphur Mountain Hot Springs visit
  • Lake Louise & Moraine Lake full day hike
  • BBQ dinner surrounded by Rockies peaks
  • Bow Glacier Falls Hike
  • Valley of Five Lakes Hike
  • Icefield Parkway stops & Athabasca Glacier
  • Jasper townsite visit
  • Maligne Lake walk
  • Wilcox Pass walk
  • Peyto viewpoint
  • Emerald Lake to Iceline Trail & Takakkaw Falls hike
  • Natural Bridge walk
  • Canmore townsite visit

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Hiking in the Canadian Rockies trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

Prices may go up, so secure your trip today!
Jump to a departure month

Important notes

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 7.30am on Day 1 in Calgary. Please see Joining Point Hotel listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary. Please consider booking an extra pre tour night in Calgary to make sure you will be on time for the start of your adventure.
2. You are expected to arrive back in Calgary around 4pm on the last day of the tour and dropped off at the same location as the joining point.
3. There is no accommodation included on the last day in Calgary, however we can request any additional nights should you need them.
4. A sleeping bag is required for this trip. If you would like to rent a sleeping bag locally, the cost is $50 CAD, payable in cash to your guide on Day 1 of the trip. Please advise your booking agent prior to departure if you require a sleeping bag rental.
5. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a tent on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

Reviews

Go to dates