Best Hikes in The Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rockies are one of the world’s best hiking destinations
There aren’t many places in North America where you can find yourself alone in Alpine passes surrounded by flowers and wildlife. There is an abundance of trails, mountains, passes, cols, and saddles in the Rockies to explore and enjoy 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. There are over 1600 km of maintained hiking trails in Banff National Park alone – meaning so many beautiful hikes in the Canadian Rockies! 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. Then you have all the provincial parks – this region is just one big natural playground!
If you’re keen to hike or want to see the lakes, you have a narrow summer window as the lakes and peaks are locked away in snow and ice for most of the year, but if you’re ready to get out and get after it you won’t be disappointed.
The Best Hikes in Banff
Looking for the best hikes in the Canadian Rockies? This guide shares our favorite hikes in Banff and all of the details to help you experience the best in the park. These hikes in Banff feature high alpine passes lined with wildflowers, jagged peaks topped by glaciers, and a healthy dose of turquoise blue lakes.
Fantastic Canmore Hikes
As locals, we’re spoilt for choice Canmore has some fantastic trails and summits close to town. If you’re looking for some new areas to explore, read some of our favorites.
Easy Hikes in Banff
Check out these easy, family-friendly hikes. The vast majority of us are not up for death-defying mountain summits, so for those after easy trails, we share some great ones.
Hikes in Kananaskis
While not as famous as Canada’s first national park, the neighboring provincial park offers many hiking opportunities. We love exploring the “front range” of the Canadian Rockies.
Hiking Gear Recommendations
Learn more about our favorite hiking gear and what we like to wear hiking the Canadian Rockies. It doesn’t matter if you’re a novice hiker; it’s easy to get started, and you don’t need a ton of gear—maybe a decent pair of shoes!
Best Hikes in Yoho
Looking for the best hikes in Yoho National Park? We share some of our favorite hikes around Yoho National Park.
Best Lake Louise Hikes
We share the most popular hikes around the lake and provide all of the details in this guide so you can experience them fully.
Best Moraine Lake Hikes
Most visitors head to Moraine Lake for a quick view, but there are many hikes to enjoy!
Best Larch Hikes in Alberta
Come late September, and the larches turn a beautiful golden color!
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.
Guide to Camping at Floe Lake
Floe Lake is a pristine glacial oasis located on the edge of Kootenay National Park in British Columbia, just west of Banff. The high elevation keeps Floe Lake snowbound for most of the year, but those who make the journey during either on a day hike or multi day trip are well rewarded!
