|
Hiking in the Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rocky Mountain parks are a hiking and backpacking paradise with over 4,000 km of trails. These include everything from short walks at roadside to grueling wilderness routes in excess of 200 km long. For the adventurous, trackless passes beckon to seldon-traveled side valleys offering limitless opportunities for exploration. Spectacular scenery, fresh mountain air and a variety of pristine lakes, alpine meadows, and of course the mountains themselves provide the perfect backdrop for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy this wonderful outdoor activity.
Guided Hiking, Walking and Backpacking Tours
Guided interpretive tours are available for all levels of ability and make your day exploring the vast wilderness even more spectacular. Day tours can include transportation, experienced guides, spectacular scenery, lunch and more. Extended tours are also available to take you into the backcountry for several days. Make sure you book well in advance to get the hike you want. Also, be sure to ask about our:
- Half and Full Day Guided Hikes
- Theme Hikes
- Ice Walks
- Fondue With a View
- Exclusive Group Hikes
- Team Building Hikes
- Backcountry Excursions
Contact Ultimate Rockies to book the interpretive hike or backpacking adventure that meets your needs. From individuals to large groups, we handle every situation. If you wish to explore the mountains on your own, please contact Parks Canada for trail reports at (403) 762-1550.
Here are some of the recommended hiking programs, or contact us and plan your very own interpretive wilderness hike with the assistance of our expert advice (be sure to ask about group discounts):
Summer Hikes
| Hike |
Description |
Departs |
Distance |
Elev Gain |
Difficulty |
Price |
| Grotto Canyon & Pictographs |
Walk through an old growth Pine forest to the mouth of Grotto Canyon and then into the narrow gorge itself. The canyon is filled with unusual rock formations, Native Rock Art (pictographs), and a hidden waterfall. While you explore this local secret, guides will relate the history of the pictographs, geology, wildlife and climbing culture. See climbers scaling the rock-walls of the canyon while guides answer the question "How did they get the rope up there"? |
Banff daily at 9:00am
Canmore daily at 9:30am
|
3.5 hrs
4.2km / 2.6mi
|
328ft (100m) |
Easy |
Adults - $45
Children (6-12) -$25
No children under 45lbs. Hiking poles are provided. Includes transportation.
|
| Grassi Lakes |
Hike to fantastic views of the Bow Valley and Grassi Falls that inspire visitors annually. Lawrence Grassi, a coal miner and trail builder, constructed the path and historic benches up to the spectacular twin lakes. They are surrounded by a petrified coral reef, a clue to the natural history in the area, and a playground for rock climbers. Follow the path of history on this half day journey. |
Banff daily at 1:30pm
Canmore daily at 2:00pm
|
3.5 hrs
3.8km / 2.36mi
|
558ft (170m) |
Moderate |
Adults - $45
Children (6-12) -$25
No children under 45lbs. Hiking poles are provided. Includes transportation.
|
| Banff Evening Wildlife Safari |
Not far from the bustle of Banff townsite lies some of the most pristine and awe inspiring environments possible. Putting yourself amongst the homes of our local wildlife is something that everyone should experience. To truly understand and absorb these unique habitats, join one of our interpretive guides on an evening walk in the wild and learn just how wild Banff National Park is. |
Banff daily at 6:30pm
|
2.0 hrs
|
n/a |
Easy |
Adults - $35
Children (6-12) -$25
Includes transportation.
|
| Quartz Ridge / Assiniboine Panorama |
A full day moderate hike passing through prime bighorn sheep and golden eagle habitat. The route out towards Quartz Ridge is alpine walking at its very best and on clear days, the surprise close up view of Assiniboine, highest mountain in Banff National Park is out of this world. An unforgettable alpine trek! |
Sunshine Village Parking Lot at 10:00am
|
7.0 hrs |
n/a |
Moderate |
Adults - $43 ($59 with shuttle from Banff)
Bring your own lunch.
|
| Lake Louise / Yoho National Park Hikes |
The marmots are acting out a soap opera. There are orchids along the trails. The old-growth forest renews itself one tree at a time. You will be amazed and amused by these stories (and many more) during our half or full day hikes. With over 200 km of Lake Louise area trails, and another 300 km in nearby Yoho National Park, there are plenty of wonderful places to explore! |
Lake Louise (trailhead) |
4.0 - 8.0 hrs |
varies |
Easy to Difficult |
Adults - $40 (half day) to $60 (full day)
Children (6-12) - $20 (half day) to $30 (full day)
Bring your own lunch.
|
| Chocolate Mountain High |
We invite honeymooners and chocholics to enjoy luscious chocolate fondue (with fruit for dipping) at a historic fire lookout site. You'll enjoy hiking to these lookouts which provide some of the most expansive views in the Rockies. When the weather is windy or rainy, we will take you to Paget Lookout on the Great Divide. It has a small building which provides shelter. Otherwise, you have the choice between Bow Summit Lookout (easy), Paget Lookout (moderate), Hunter Mountain Lookout (moderate), the Little Beehive (moderate) and Castle Mountain Lookout (difficult). We use award-winning Bernard Callebaut chocolate in our top-secret fondue recipe. |
Lake Louise (trailhead) |
4.0 - 8.0 hrs |
varies |
Easy to Difficult |
Adults - $75
Children (6-12) - $37.50
Please bring sturdy footwear with good grip, wind breaker, hat & gloves, sunscreen & sunhat, water & a snack or lunch, and rain gear (we recommend a large umbrella).
|
Royal Canadian Heli-Hike
|
Your journey will start with a 25 minute sight seeing tour, which takes you soaring over mountain ranges and delivers you to Mount Charles Stewart, where adventure awaits. The hike, led by a qualified guide, explores scenic alpine ridges and meadows. |
Canmore in AM and PM
|
3.0 - 4.0 hrs |
n/a |
Easy to Moderate
|
$385 per person
|
| Jasper National Park Hikes |
Casual Walks will explore the Pyramid Bench from a trailhead within walking distance of downtown Jasper. This walk will lead you up and around Cottonwood Slough. Wildlife encounters can include Bears, Moose, Deer and Beavers. Half-day hikes will take you to areas such as the Cavell Meadows or Valley of the Five Lakes. Full-day hikes can be done on a number of different trails including, Sulphur Skyline, Bald Hills, Opal Hills and Wilcox Pass. |
Jasper |
2.0 - 8.0 hrs |
varies |
Easy to Difficult |
Adults - $25 (2 hour) to $89 (full day)
Children - $15 (2 hour) to $59 (full day)
|
| Waterton Evening Wildlife Watching |
The Waterton area may just be the best place in the Rockies for wildlife watching. Not only is it home to bears, mountain goats, elk and more bird species than anywhere else in the Rockies, its unique and open geography makes it ideal for spotting all of these wonderful animals! Join our evening tour with a Professional Interpretive guide and learn all about Rockies wildlife while visiting the parks best habitat locations! |
Waterton every Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun at 7:00pm |
n/a |
n/a |
Easy |
Adults - $40
Children (8-12) - $30
Includes guide, transportation, use of binoculars, spotting scope, guide books.
|
| Waterton View Breakfast |
Join us on an early morning walk along the Bertha Falls trail to catch the sun meeting the mountains! The walk is fairly gentle, gaining about 100 metres enroute to our breakfast location overlooking Waterton Lake. The view along the lake is superb panoramas all the way to Goat Haunt, Montana, in the south and to the prairies in the northeast. A more idyllic breakfast location is hard to imagine! |
Waterton every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00am |
n/a |
328ft (100m) |
Easy |
Adults - $40
Children (8-12) - $30
Includes Professional Interpretive Guide, and continental breakfast carried to the top!
|
Winter Hikes
| Hike |
Description |
Departs |
Distance |
Elev Gain |
Difficulty |
Price |
Grotto Canyon Ice Walk
|
Walk on a frozen creek through Grotto Canyon, past unusual rock formations, ancient Native rock art, and icefalls - The history of the rock art and the geology of the mountains are at your fingertips as the guides explain their mystery - Also, ice climbers can be seen scaling the frozen waterfalls - Guests should dress in skiwear for this trip, including hats, mitts and warm boots. Your Tour includes ice cleats & hiking poles, hot chocolate & light snack, hotel pick up and drop off.
|
Banff daily at 9:00am and 1:30pm
Canmore daily at 9:30am and 2:00pm
Also available from Lake Louise
|
3.5 hrs
4.2km (2.6mi)
|
328ft (100m) |
Easy / Moderate |
Adults - $55
Children (6-12) -$30
|
Johnston Canyon Ice Walk
|
Hike on steel walkways built into the canyon walls that give an airy view of the canyon below - Travel through prime wildlife habitat on your way to the trail head and learn the clues to how Johnston Canyon was formed - This popular walk will lead you past the lower falls and to the breathtaking upper icefalls (pictured above) - Guests should dress in skiwear for this trip including hats, mitts and warm boots. Your Tour includes ice cleats & hiking poles, hot chocolate & light snack, hotel pick up and drop off.
|
Banff daily at 8:30am and 1:30pm
Also available from Canmore and Lake Louise
|
4 hrs
5.4km (3.2mi)
|
443ft (135m) |
Easy / Moderate |
Adults - $55
Children (6-12) -$30
|
* Prices do not include 6% GST
**Exclusive to accommodation guests only
Booking Request Form
|
|
|
