Hikes in The Canadian Rockies
We can not think of a more spectacular place on earth than the Canadian Rockies in summer. There aren’t many places in North America where you can find yourself alone in Alpine passes surrounded by flowers and wildlife. However, there is an abundance of trails, mountains, passes, cols, and saddles to explore solitude.
A wide swath of hiking trails provides visitors with expansive glaciated icefields, forested valleys, towering peaks, sparkling emerald lakes, and close encounters with wildlife. The towns of Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, Field, and Jasper sit within the Canadian Rockies and serve as amazing bases that will astound visitors with mountain views.
If you’re keen to hike or want to see the lakes, you have a narrow window of summer as the lakes and peaks are locked away in snow and ice for the majority of the year.
Find A Hike
The Best Hikes in Banff
Looking for the best Banff hikes? We share our favorite hikes in Banff and share all of the details in this guide to experience the best in the park. You’ll find on these hikes in Banff high alpine passes lined with wildflowers, jagged peaks topped by glaciers, and a healthy dose of turquoise blue lakes.
I tried to keep a good mix of Banff hiking trails capable of anyone of reasonable fitness. There are plenty of more challenging Banff hikes, scrambles, climbs, and mountaineering objectives in Banff National Park that offer jaw-dropping views, but they aren’t hikes accessible to all and require more experience in the mountains.
The goal of this list of the best Banff hikes is a mix where the amount of work involved vs. reward keeps everyone happy! Of course, Banff is a huge park, and there are so many more hikes in Banff and tons of exploring. Any one of these hikes is certain to supply plenty of fantastic wilderness landscapes.
Fantastic Canmore Hikes
Interested in tackling some of the best Canmore hikes? The little town has a wide selection of hikes.
Easy Hikes in Banff
Check out these easy Banff hikes that are family-friendly as the vast majority of us are not up for death-defying mountain summits in the Canadian Rockies.
Best Hikes in Yoho
Looking for the best hikes in Yoho National Park? We share some of our favorite hikes around Yoho National Park
Spectacular Lake Louise Hikes
We share the most popular hikes around the lake and share all of the details in this guide to experience the best hikes around Lake Louise.
Multi Night Backcountry Trips
The Berg Lake Trail in Mount Robson Provincial Park
We finally checked off the Berg Lake Trail in Mount Robson Provincial Park this summer and all I can say is – wow!
Lake O’Hara Camping and Hiking Guide
Those lucky enough to sleep on the shores of Lake O’Hara are treated to a glorious landscape full of wildlife, glaciers, larch trees, and alpine lakes.
Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park
With the resplendent scenery that surrounds Mount Assiniboine, a trip here is considered one of the finest backcountry trips in the Canadian Rockies.
Guide to Bugaboo Provincial Park
This backcountry camping destination is accessed using the Conrad Kain Hut Trail and is home to the Bugaboo Glacier, alpine lakes, and unmatched views.
Notable Hikes
Johnston Canyon Hike
Johnston Canyon is a highlight for many on their trip to Banff and it’s an easy Banff hike that’s great for families.
Tunnel Mountain Hike
The Tunnel Mountain hike in Banff is arguably one of the best Banff hikes and it’s a classic!
Healy Pass Hike
One of the finest hikes in the Banff National Park is Healy Pass. The hike climbs a gradual pass until it unveils a pristine alpine meadow.
Hike Tent Ridge
The Tent Ridge Horseshoe hike is one of my favorite hikes in all of Alberta. It’s the perfect hike with amazing views of the surrounding mountains and lakes.
Parker Ridge Trail
Parker Ridge is the best hike with rewarding views with very minimal effort in Banff, Parker Ridge can’t be beaten.
Cascade Mountain
Summit one of the most iconic mountains in Banff. Some scrambling experience is helpful.