Last Updated on May 6, 2024 by Deanne
Hiking in the Canadian Rockies is a nature enthusiast’s dream. Snow-capped mountains, lush forests, glistening waterfalls, glaciers, canyons, and turquoise-colored lakes make this area a bucket-list destination.
While there are countless hiking trails in this region, we chose what we believe are 10 of the best hikes in the Canadian Rockies. Some are long, some are short. Some are steep and some are simple. But they all lead to unbelievably beautiful views.
Below we have the hikes laid out by location, starting with Banff National Park, then Jasper, and finishing up in Yoho. (Click here for the our Banff-Jasper-Yoho itinerary.)
If you think we missed a must-do hike, add it to the comments section at the end of the article. But first, here are some things to be aware of when hiking in the Canadian Rockies.
* This post may contain affiliate links in which I receive a small commission if you use them at no extra cost to you.
Tips for hiking in the Canadian Rockies
Check the weather before heading out.
Weather conditions can change rapidly while hiking in the Rockies. Check the forecast before your hike and be prepared for sudden changes.
Dress in layers.
Since the weather can vary widely throughout the day, dress in layers, ideally with a moisture-wicking base layer and a waterproof outer layer. Be prepared for cooler temperatures at higher elevations.
Choose the right trail.
Research ahead of time and choose trails that match your fitness level and hiking abilities.
Start early.
Begin your hikes early in the day to avoid crowds and to ensure you have enough daylight to complete your trek. Early mornings also provide better wildlife viewing opportunities.
Carry bear spray.
The Canadian Rockies are home to bears, including grizzlies and black bears. Carry bear spray with you and know how to use it. Make noise while hiking so you don’t accidentally surprise a bear.
Beautiful Canadian Rockies hikes in Banff National Park
1. Big Beehive Trail
The Big Beehive Trail is one of the best hikes in the Canadian Rockies. Located in Banff National Park, it’s not the easiest climb, but it’s worth the reward of stunning panoramic views of Lake Louise!
Starting on the shores of Lake Louise by the Fairmont Chateau you’ll begin hiking through a forest. It’s a long, steady incline and it will get tiring! But just when you’re in need of a rest, you come to Lake Agnes. This charming area includes the Lake Agnes Tea House and benches to sit on while soaking in the view. We spent 20 minutes here relaxing and eating a snack.
After a well-deserved break, you’ll continue on a lakeside path to the foot of the Beehive. The final ascent includes switchbacks and steeper terrain, but it’s not as drawn out like the first half, so you’ll tackle it faster. Plus, you get great views looking back down at Lake Agnes along the way.
Trail details
Distance: 6.7 mile out-and-back trail
Difficulty: Moderate-Hard
Time: 1 hr 5 min. to Lake Agnes, then 40 more minutes to top. It took us 1 hour 35 minutes on the way down.
Tip: Some people end their hike at Lake Agnes because they fear the trek up to Big Beehive would be too challenging. Yes, it’s steep, but it doesn’t take that long and you can stop for breaks along the way. If you can make the hike to Lake Agnes (which is a bit challenging itself), you can make it all the way up to Big Beehive. And the reward from the top is so worth the extra effort!
2. Larch Valley
The Larch Valley Trail is an out-and-back hike beginning at Moraine Lake in Banff National Park. This well-known Canadian Rockies hike is extremely popular in the fall when the larch trees are ablaze with golden yellow.
The Larch Valley Trail winds through a verdant evergreen forest at the start and climbs steadily for roughly the first hour. You’ll encounter several (I think 10 in total) steep switchbacks offering views of the valley unfolding below. Then when the terrain levels off a bit you walk through a vibrant tapestry of golden larches, especially during the peak season of late September in Banff. The trail culminates at the serene Minestimma Lakes.
Trail details
Distance: 5.5 mile out-and-back trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1 hour 40 minutes one-way
Tip: Get an early start on this trail to avoid crowds. And if you’re looking to extend this hike, you can continue on to Sentinel Pass – a longer, more challenging hike offering stunning mountain views. The total length for Sentinel Pass, beginning and ending at Moraine Lake, is 7 miles.
3. Mt. Norquay Via Ferrata
The Mt. Norquay Via Ferrata is unlike other Canadian Rockies hikes on this list. Via ferratas are unique in that they are part hike, part rock climb. They can seem intimidating at first, but these hikes are safe and manageable even for beginners.
The Mt. Norquay Via Ferrata is an exciting and adventurous way to take in the scenery from a mountaintop. Led by an experienced guide, climbers are attached to a steel cable along the mountain with a harness and carabiner – so you are secure throughout the journey. On the vertical route, you’ll climb ladders, cross a suspension bridge, and view some of Banff’s most picturesque panoramas from high on Mt. Norquay. No climbing experience is necessary, but it helps to have a sense of adventure!
Trail details
There are five different routes to choose from on Mt. Norquay. They get a little longer and more challenging with each one.
The Explorer is 2-2.5 hours (.62 miles) roundtrip and is a good introduction to a via ferrata. You get to cross a fun suspension bridge!
The Ridgewalker is 3.5-4 hours (.87 miles) roundtrip and takes you higher than the Explorer. We chose this route and found it very manageable. However, you do need to be in decent physical shape for the climb.
The Alpinist is 4-4.5 hours (1.2 miles) roundtrip and is described as needing continuous moderate to strenuous exertion, with brief breaks.
The Skyline is 4.5-5 hours (1.55 miles) roundtrip, taking you to even greater heights.
The Summiteer is 5.5-6 hours (2 miles) roundtrip, crossing 3 additional suspension bridges.
Unlike the other hikes on this list, the via ferrata isn’t free. It will cost between $140 USD and $285 USD depending on which route you choose.
Tip: If you have a fear of heights, you may still enjoy this adventure. I’m scared of heights and was worried I might not be able to do it. But after reading so many positive reviews from others who have a fear of heights – saying they felt safe the entire time – I decided to do it. I’m glad I did!
4. Rockpile Trail
Short and sweet, the Rockpile Trail at Moraine Lake leads to probably the most famous view in all of the Canadian Rockies – if not the entire country. Don’t miss this trail while visiting the world-famous Moraine Lake.
This short hike is all about the destination. The Rockpile Trail is nestled beside the turquoise waters of Moraine Lake and is an easy .5-mile loop. The path winds its way around a picturesque pile of boulders, offering stunning vantage points of the iconic Valley of the Ten Peaks and Moraine Lake.
The well-maintained trail leads up a series of steps and takes just minutes to complete. This Moraine Lake viewpoint is a must-do for all ages.
Trail details
Distance: .5 miles loop
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 5-7 minutes one-way to the top
Tip: This trail and viewpoint get crowded, but there are so many boulders to stand on and climb that you’re almost guaranteed an unobstructed view of Moraine Lake somewhere on the rockpile.
5. Peyto Lake
If you’re looking for another short hike with a picturesque payoff, head to Peyto Lake along the Icefields Parkway.
Witnessing the turquoise majesty of Peyto Lake in Banff National Park doesn’t require a lot of time. The paved trail is short but steep, leading uphill almost the entire way from the parking lot to the iconic viewpoint. Peyto Lake is one of the iconic turquoise lakes in the region and should not be missed.
Trail details
Distance: .8 mile out-and-back
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 25 minutes roundtrip
Tip: Tour buses showcasing the Icefields Parkway stop at this viewpoint so the main viewing platform can get really busy. If you seek a slightly longer adventure, veer off the trail near the main viewing platform for a different perspective of the lake and the Bow Valley with fewer crowds.
(Not into steep hikes but still want stunning 360-degree views from a mountaintop? Check out the Banff gondola that takes you to an elevation of 7,486 feet up Sulphur Mountain!)
Best hikes in Jasper National Park
6. Mount Edith Cavell (Cavell Meadows Trail and the Path of the Glacier)
Mount Edith Cavell is one of Jasper’s most impressive peaks. Hiking in this area is extremely scenic with two diverse, but equally breathtaking trails to trek. It’s easy to fit both hikes into one half-day at the mountain.
The Path of the Glacier
The Path of the Glacier Trail is a paved and family-friendly walk leading to stunning views of the Angel Glacier and the mint green Cavell Pond. All ages and abilities can enjoy this short trail at the base of Mount Edith Cavell. And with this view at the end, hiking this path is an obvious choice:
Cavell Meadows Trail
For a more challenging ascent, the Cavell Meadows Trail takes you beyond the tree line into the alpine. Be prepared for a long, steady incline walking on top of roots, rocks, mud, and dirt. Thankfully there are plenty of scenic payoffs as you journey up the mountain. When you reach the viewpoint at the end of the trail, you can take in this superb view before beginning your descent.
Or for the truly motivated, you can continue further upward to explore the rocky moraines leading to closer views of the iconic peak. However, be aware that it gets very steep at this point, and you’ll be walking on snow-covered paths with loose gravel. I tried to continue but felt very unstable, so I stopped and turned around. I’m glad I did. I’ve read that the views at the top aren’t much different than what I had already seen and therefore not worth the final push.
Trail details
Path of the Glacier
Distance: 1 mile out and back
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 25 minutes roundtrip
Tip: A short walk from the end of path along the rocks will get you right up next to Cavell Pond and is well worth it!
Meadows Trail
Distance: 4.6 mile loop
Difficulty: Challenging
Time: 2.5 hours, not including time spent at viewpoint (We spent 20 minutes there.)
Tip: The viewpoint is a great place for a snack or a picnic lunch. Be sure to spend some time here just taking in the views.
Allow 3.5 hours to hike both trails.
7. Maligne Canyon
Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park is the deepest canyon in the Canadian Rockies, plunging more than 165 feet. As you hike around the rim, you’ll encounter dramatic views of waterfalls and unique rock formations while crossing six bridges.
The trail follows along a rushing river with impressive views of the gorge below. The path slopes downhill as you walk from the first bridge to the sixth. The fifth and sixth bridges are quite a bit farther from the rest and can be reached by car from the main road.
We parked by the fifth bridge and started our hike from there (skipping the sixth bridge). That way our walk was uphill on our way to the first bridge, and downhill for the return trip. You don’t have to walk the full trail, even seeing part of this hike is worth it.
There is a gift shop and café near the first bridge and parking lot.
Trail details
Distance: 2.3 mile loop, or you can do out-and-back if you prefer
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1 hour 45 minutes roundtrip, unless you take time at the gift shop or cafe
Tip: If you’re short on time, park in the parking lot by the gift shop and cafe. From there it’s a short walk to the first bridge where you get the most impressive views of a powerful, rushing waterfall plunging deep into the canyon.
8. Athabasca Falls
Hiking in the Canadian Rockies is a feast for the senses and Athabasca Falls does not disappoint. You don’t need a lot of time to view, hear, and feel the mist of Athabasca Falls as it thunders down into a narrow gorge. The short trail to the roaring falls is paved and leads to multiple viewpoints.
You’ll witness the sheer force of the water as you get close-ups of the cascade. This is a quick stop, and a must-see in Jasper National Park.
Trail details
Distance: .6 mile out-and-back
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 20 minutes roundtrip, including multiple stops for pictures
Tip: This hike is more like an easy walk – accessible and family-friendly. Be prepared for lots of tourists.
Hiking in Yoho National Park
9. Lakeshore Trail at Emerald Lake
Framed by towering mountains and a lush forest, Emerald Lake is the largest lake in Yoho National Park. Hiking in the Canadian Rockies around the magnificently green lake is highly recommended as it’s a peaceful stroll with incredible views. Even after viewing the iconic Banff lakes – Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, and Peyto Lake – we were impressed with this Yoho gem.
Lakeshore Trail gently circles the lake passing cute cabins of Emerald Lake Lodge nestled into the trees along the way. The trail is relatively flat but can get muddy in parts. Take your time on the trail and marvel at the reflection of the surrounding peaks in the jewel-toned waters.
Trail details
Distance: 3.2 mile loop
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes roundtrip, stopping to take a lot of pictures
Tip: Don’t wear nice or white shoes. Half of the loop is dry and in the sun, but the other half can get muddy and wet, with roots sticking up in the trail.
10. Takakkaw Falls
The path to Takakkaw Falls is paved and short, leading to impressive views of Canada’s second tallest waterfall.
This is a fun hike as you can go off-trail and climb up and over rocks and actually get right up to the base of the falls. Look up as you near the waterfall. Often you can see mountain climbers scaling the rocky wall next to the cascade.
Two red Adirondack chairs appear seemingly out of nowhere beside the trail. If you’re wondering why, take a seat and look straight ahead for the answer. This is why:
Trail details
Distance: 1.1 mile, out-and-back
Difficulty: Easy
Time: Less than 20 minutes round trip, not including the stop at the falls (or sitting in the red chairs!)
Tip: The road leading to the Takakkaw Falls parking lot is steep with multiple switchbacks. Large RVs are not recommended as they may not be able to maneuver the tight switchbacks.
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