Wonderful Walks & Hikes in the Canadian Rockies

Spectacular natural beauty awaits visitors to the Canadian Rocky Mountains in Banff National Park and Jasper National Park (just north of Banff National Park) in Alberta, Canada. Taking walks and hikes are the best ways to really appreciate all the vistas that this amazing area offers. Listed below are some of the 10 best walks and hikes between Banff and Jasper. They range from easy strolls to more strenuous hikes, but none of them is rated more than a moderate degree of difficulty. The walks and hikes in this post are found in Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper — and points in between. 

1. DOWNTOWN WALKS, Banff & Jasper

Banff and Jasper both have charming, walkable downtowns with nice varieties of shops and restaurants. Take a break from sightseeing to enjoy browsing the options — and supporting local businesses.

2. CAVE & BASIN NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, Banff

A cave and outdoor basin area each are fed by warm mineral springs that give the water an emerald-green glow. Besides that, there are hiking trails (mostly on flat terrain) and plenty of displays that recount the history of this very popular place that dates back to the 19th century. The Canadian national park system began here in the 1880s as an effort to preserve this unique property. 

Also on site is a separate building that tells the story of the internment camps that populated this area of Canada during World War I. Those prisoners, considered “enemy aliens,” helped build the roads and other infrastructure for this and other national parks. Location: 311 Cave Ave, Banff

3. TUNNEL MOUNTAIN SUMMIT TRAIL, Banff

This 2.5-mile/4-kilometer out-and-back trail up Tunnel Mountain yields great views of the Bow River Valley, Banff, and surrounding Mount Rundle. A moderately-rated trail, it can be rocky in parts, so hiking poles might be helpful. 

You can choose to start at the trailhead in downtown Banff for the entire hike or drive up Tunnel Mountain Road to a small parking lot to begin the hike from there. 

Also, from Tunnel Mountain Road, you can continue up to Surprise Corner for a fantastic view of the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel and the surrounding area. Further up the road is the Tunnel Mountain Bench Loop with hoodoo lookouts. Here you’ll surely appreciate the beauty of Mount Rundle, Tunnel Mountain plus the Bow River Valley — as well as the hoodoos (tall, spiked rocks that seem to grow out of the ground). 

4. JOHNSTON CANYON, near Banff

Located between Banff and Lake Louise along the Bow Valley Parkway (Route 1A), Johnston Canyon features gorgeous scenery including impressive waterfalls. What’s unique about this hike is that parts of it are via elevated catwalks attached to the limestone canyon wall. From the catwalks, you’ll gain awesome views of the canyon — above, around, and below you. 

There are actually three main destinations at Johnston Canyon. First, there is the Lower Falls which are about .7 miles/1.2 kilometers from the trailhead with about a 165-feet/50-meter elevation gain. Expect a round trip to the Lower Falls to take about an hour or so. Second, the Upper Falls are 1.6 miles/2.5 km one-way with about a 400-feet/120-meter elevation gain. A round trip from the trailhead takes about 2-2.5 hours. Third, the least trafficked trail (most visitors hike to the Lower Falls and Upper Falls and turn around) is the one that continues from the Upper Falls to the Ink Pots. Here you’ll find several blue-green pools of water fed by a spring. It’s about 3.5 miles/5.7 km one-way from the trailhead with about a 1,080 feet/330 meter gain. Expect a round trip from the trailhead to take about 3-4 hours. 

Tip: Arrive early — ideally be 8:00 am as the parking lots and trails can fill up quickly, especially on the weekends. Location: Bow Valley Pkwy, Alberta (north of the town of Banff in Banff National Park)

When leaving and your stomach is suggesting it’s time for food, consider stopping at nearby Storm Mountain Lodge where you can enjoy eating in the alpine-inspired main lodge there. Before visiting, though, check online or call to verify their dining hours of operation.

5. LAKEFRONT TRAIL, Lake Louise

Take a walk on the scenic side with a stroll along beautiful Lake Louise. This easy 2.8-mile/4.5-kilometer out-and-back walk (which does not continue around the entire lake) gives you ample opportunities to soak in the views of the lovely lake and the dramatic mountain peaks surrounding it. Begin your walk on the lakeside of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel and head along the north side of the lake. For hotel guests, simply step outside the Chateau. For others, park in the large public parking lot adjacent to the hotel; arrive early to make sure you get a spot. 

While at Lake Louise, consider renting a canoe to enjoy the serene stillness of this turquoise-hued body of water. Canoe rentals are available at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise boathouse on the west side of the lake.

If hiking is more your thing, you may be interested in the two trails that lead you up to 100+-year-old quaint tea houses where you can sip tea and munch on sandwiches and/or baked treats. Each hike’s payoff in captivating views and refreshment options makes them unique experiences in Lake Louise. Check out the Lake Agnes Trail and the Plain of the Six Glaciers Trails below. Location: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Lake Louise (in Banff National Park)

6. LAKE AGNES TRAIL, Lake Louise

The Lake Agnes Trail hike features views of three lakes (Lake Louise, Mirror Lake, and Lake Agnes), majestic mountains, and a waterfall. But that’s not all! Once up at Lake Agnes, you’ll find the Lake Agnes Tea House where you can stop for a snack or meal. The tea house was built in the early 1900s and serves tea (of course) along with baked goods, soup, and sandwiches. 

This 4.6-mile/7.4-kilometer out-and-back trail has an elevation gain of 1,400 feet/435 meters. Hiking poles come in handy but are not necessary. Begin the hike on the lakeside of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel and follow the signs for Lake Agnes. For hotel guests, simply step outside the Chateau. For others, park in the large public parking lot adjacent to the hotel; arrive early to make sure you get a spot. 

The tea house is reasonably small, so don’t be surprised if you have to wait a few minutes for a table. (Our wait was about 10 minutes when we arrived at 9:15 am; wait times typically grow as the day goes on.) Bring cash to pay for your meal; there was a fee for using credit cards when we visited.

Tip: Start this hike early — ideally by 8:00 am. My husband and I did, and we arrived at the tea house a little over an hour later which was a perfect time for breakfast or early lunch (which is what we decided on). 

If you don’t want to visit the tea house, pack a snack or lunch to enjoy along the way. Some hikers like to sit along Lake Agnes and eat food that they carried with them. Location: Lake Louise (in Banff National Park)

7. PLAIN OF THE SIX GLACIERS TRAIL, Lake Louise

Another hike that begins at Lake Louise is the Plain of the Six Glaciers Trail which is about a 9.1-mile/14.6-kilometer out-and-back moderately difficult-rated trail. Like the Lake Agnes Trail, it features its own tea house. Because of the longer length, this trail tends to be less trafficked than Lake Agnes Trail.

8. MORAINE LAKE, Lake Louise

A nearby local spot is Moraine Lake. This lovely lake has about a 2-mile/3.2-kilometer path around it. Because of its popularity, it is very difficult to find parking near the lake; the parking lot often fills up by 6:00 am. Expect to take a shuttle bus to reach this lake. 

9. PARKER RIDGE, between Lake Louise & Jasper

Get a good workout hiking up the Parker Ridge Trail with a great payoff: views of the Saskatchewan Glacier from atop the mountain. This 3.2-mile/5.1-kilometer round-trip hike is rated as moderately difficult. The hike begins along a path between a grove of trees. Soon the trees are left behind and you hike uphill along switchbacks through an alpine meadow. Once at the top, take in the fabulous views of the glacier and neighboring peaks while walking along the ridge line. There are a couple of lookout points to capture some great photographs. The elevation gain is about 900 feet/275 meters. Hiking poles can come in handy while ascending the trail. Location: Along Icefields Parkway (Route 93A), about 75 miles/120 kilometers from Route 1; near the northern border of Banff National Park. The parking lot is on the western side of the road.

10. MALIGNE CANYON, Jasper

Maligne Canyon is the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park, and hiking here offers incredible views of the rushing water that has carved out the canyon over many years. This gorge has six footbridges that span the gorge from which visitors can take in amazing vistas below. About a 10-minute drive northeast of the town of Jasper, Maligne Canyon (pronounced muh-LEEN) is about 180 feet/50 meters deep and about .75 miles/1.2 kilometers long. The trail is mostly paved and level in the beginning (near the main parking lot by the First Bridge) and then veers downhill over some rocky terrain that sometimes has tree roots, too. 

You can park in the main parking lot near the First Bridge and hike towards the Fifth Bridge or Sixth Bridge. Alternatively, you can park at the Fifth Bridge or Sixth Bridge parking lots, and head towards the First Bridge which will make for a longer hike. The choice is yours. Just know that the main parking lot fills up quickly, and most people begin their trek here. My husband and I parked in the Fifth Bridge parking lot and headed to the First Bridge. By doing so, we had the trail pretty much to ourselves, until we neared the first few footbridges. In any case, arrive early in the day to avoid crowds.

Tips for Your Hikes in the Canadian Rockies

• Download the AllTrails app for an overview of the trails. Also, using the app while hiking helps you see where you are relative to the footbridges and/or the trailhead (are we there yet?!). 
• Dress in layers. Weather can change frequently throughout the day. It’s best to dress in layers. Then simply peel off a layer if/when you get warmed up.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes with good tread. The trails can be slippery and/or muddy due to recent rain or melting snow.
• Bring water (and snacks). 
• Do not feed or otherwise disturb the wildlife. 
• Stay on the trails.
• Carry out what you bring in. Do not leave behind any trash or food.

Family-Friendly Hikes

The trails in this post are, for the most part, family-friendly — yes, even the mountainous hikes. If the kids are used to hiking, they’ll enjoy them all. I saw kids (some as young as 3 years old) on all the hikes. If the kids aren’t big hiking enthusiasts, stick to the downtown walks, the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise Lakefront Trail, Moraine Lake, and Maligne Canyon. 

Vacationing in the Canadian Rockies

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our time vacationing in the Canadian Rockies. We couldn’t get enough of the scenic vistas of its mighty mountains, canyons, valleys, lakes, and rivers. We were delighted with the scenic drives, invigorating hikes, two days riding on the Rocky Mountaineer train, and a leisurely stay in Vancouver. Our 13-day itinerary gave us the perfect way to appreciate the natural beauty of western Canada.

Final Thoughts

These walks and hikes offer a welcome variety of outdoor experiences in the Canadian Rockies. Memories of exploring these special places will stay with me forever. My favorite outings were the Tunnel Mountain Summit Trail and the nearby Tunnel Bench Loop in Banff; Johnston Canyon along the Bow Valley Parkway; the Lake Agnes Trail in Lake Louise; the Parker Ridge Trail along the Icefields Parkway; and Maligne Canyon in Jasper.

Comments?

Please share your experiences and/or suggestions for other places to visit in the Canadian Rockies. Your ideas could be helpful to other travelers. Thanks! 🙂