With two national parks and thousands of miles of trails, the Canadian Rockies offer countless bucket-list hikes. We’re sharing the best hikes in Banff and Jasper, as well as other nearby trails you shouldn’t miss.
With towering peaks, turquoise lakes, and trails that wind through some of the most jaw-dropping landscapes on the planet, the Canadian Rockies are a dream destination for hikers of any and all levels.
Even the shortest, easiest strolls can lead to epic views, while the heart-thumping climbs deliver payoffs that are well worth the burning thighs.
But when every trail is 10/10, it can be hard to decide which ones to prioritize. We’ve rounded up the best hikes in Banff and the Canadian Rockies (and why we love them) to help you narrow down your choices.
Canadian Rockies Hiking Guide
If you know what you’re looking for, click on the links below to jump down to that section. Or just keep scrolling to read it all!
- Best hikes in Banff National Park
- Best hikes in Jasper National Park
- Bonus: Can’t-miss hikes in Greater Banff Area (outside parks)
- Tips for hiking in the Canadian Rockies
Our experience in Banff & the Canadian Rockies
Before we jump in, we wanted to give you a little peek behind the curtain at our experience hiking in Banff and the Canadian Rockies—so you know you can trust us!
We’ve visited Banff and Jasper National Parks in the Canadian Rockies twice. The first time was on our honeymoon, when we stayed in budget-friendly accommodation, hiked our hearts out, and even went skydiving over the mountains (a total bucket list moment!).
The second time, we returned for a month-long road trip in our campervan, revisiting our favorite trails with our toddler and testing out some new ones along the way.
Having experienced the Rockies both as a couple and as a family, we’ve gotten to know this region on a deeper level—and we’re sharing everything we learned so you can plan your own unforgettable trip.
→ If you travel with kids like we do, make sure you read our essential tips & advice for hiking with a toddler (from parents with tons of experience!).
Best hikes in Banff National Park
Banff National Park has—quite literally—hundreds of trails to choose from. We’ve narrowed down the very best hikes in Banff so you can be sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
1. Lake Agnes Teahouse
- Distance: 4.6 miles (7.4 km) out and back
- Elevation gain: 1,646 feet (502 meters)
- Difficulty rating: Moderate
- Trail notes on Alltrails
If you’re making me choose a favorite hike in Banff (why would you do that to me??), the Lake Agnes Teahouse just might take the top spot (especially when combined with the next hike on this list…)
Built in 1901, the Lake Agnes Teahouse is historic, iconic, and incredibly scenic. Plus, the hike to get here is relatively short and completely family-friendly—major bonus points!
The trail starts at the famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise—another check off your Banff bucket list!—and climbs steadily uphill through a lush forest. You’ll pass Mirror Lake and a small waterfall before arriving on the serene shores of Lake Agnes.
When we visited in 2023, there was a huge line of people waiting at the teahouse. It turned out that most of them were waiting for takeout, and we only had to wait a few minutes for a table.
Skip the food, but reward yourself with a hot cup of tea and a Mountain Bar (trust me!) before retracing your steps back to Lake Louise. Or keep going up, because the best view is only another mile away…
Good to know: The teahouse is open June through October and closes daily at 5 pm. It’s cash only, so hit an ATM before entering the park.
→ We have a complete guide to hiking to Lake Agnes Teahouse on our sister site, Go Wander Wild!
2. Big Beehive
- Distance: 6.3 miles (10.1 km) out and back
- Elevation gain: 2,414 feet (736 meters)
- Difficulty rating: Moderate
- Trail notes on Alltrails
This is one of our all-time-favorite Banff trails, featuring lush alpine meadows, fragrant forests, rocky outcrops, shimmering lakes, and a historic teahouse.
And the cherry on top of the Big Beehive summit? An unparalleled aerial view of milky blue Lake Louise.
But I won’t lie—you’ll need to work for it.
The first section of this trail is the Lake Agnes Teahouse hike (see above). So the good news is, if you’ve made it to the teahouse, you only have about a mile to go!
The bad news is, it’s one butt-kicking mile. There’s scree, ledges to maneuver around, and some serious climbing. Yet, it’s never unmanageable—one of the things that makes this such a fantastic hike!
Tip: If the Big Beehive wasn’t enough of a challenge for you, you can branch off from here to the Little Beehive, the Plain of Six Glaciers (#5 on this list!), the Highline Trail, or the Devil’s Thumb.
→ We have a full Big Beehive hiking guide on our sister site with lots of insider tips!
3. Johnston Canyon
- Distance: 3.4 miles (5.5 km) out and back
- Elevation gain: 898 feet (274 meters)
- Difficulty rating: Easy to moderate
- Trail notes on Alltrails
Johnston Canyon is one of the most popular hikes in Banff, and is therefore nearly always crowded. But with a little patience, we think it’s worth it (and that’s coming from someone who does not like crowds).
Catwalks bolted to the canyon walls create an easy trail for people of most abilities (the first stretch is even wheelchair accessible). It’s open year-round, with thundering waterfalls that freeze in the winter to form vivid blue ice sculptures.
You can make it up to the Johnston Canyon Upper Falls even in the dead of winter, or simply turn around after the Lower Falls for a shorter stroll.
Tip: If you’re visiting in winter, bring microspikes because the trail gets extremely slippery.
→ Check out our complete Johnston Canyon hiking guide on our sister site for more tips and trail stats!
4. Moraine Lake Shoreline
- Distance: 2.3 miles (3.7 km) out and back
- Elevation gain: 314 feet (96 meters)
- Difficulty rating: Easy
- Trail notes on Alltrails
Moraine Lake is one of the most iconic sights in Banff National Park, and for good reason.
The glacier-fed lake is a surreal, color-saturated shade of turquoise, set against the backdrop of the Valley of the Ten Peaks mountain range. In summer, thick conifers add a deep green to the landscape. In the fall, larches light up the mountainsides with their golden glow.
A flat, easy trail hugs the western shoreline for the length of the lake, perfect for a low-effort stroll with high-reward views.
Tip: If your schedule and budget allow, we highly recommend renting a canoe to paddle around the lake. It’s definitely a splurge ($140 CAD for 1 hour; approx. $100 USD), but a total bucket list experience.
Good to know: You can’t drive yourself to the lake, so you will need to take a shuttle (or bike!). Shuttle tickets become available 48 hours in advance, so set yourself a reminder to reserve your spot.
5. Plain of Six Glaciers
- Distance: 8.6 miles (13.8 kilometers), out-and-back
- Elevation gain: 1,938 feet (591 meters)
- Difficulty rating: Moderate
- Trail notes on Alltrails
Another trail that starts at the Fairmont, the Plain of Six Glaciers is a choose-your-own-adventure kind of hike.
The trail follows the shoreline for the length of Lake Louise before climbing up to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse. Alternatively, you can hike to the Lake Agnes Teahouse (see #1 on this list) and connect with the Plain of Six Glaciers via the Highline Trail.
Regardless of your route, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of Lake Louise and the Victoria Glacier. (Note: The trail stats listed above may vary depending on the route you take.)
Fun fact: The Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse has been owned by the same family since 1959. To preserve its history, it still doesn’t have electricity to this day, but uses propane stoves instead.
6. Bourgeau Lake Trail
- Distance: 8.9 miles (14.3 km), out-and-back
- Elevation gain: 3,310 feet (1,009 meters)
- Difficulty rating: Challenging
- Trail notes on Alltrails
If you’re looking for a local favorite off the tourist radar, Borgeau Lake is a true hidden gem that checks all the boxes: moody forests, colorful wildflowers, a cascading waterfall, and a crystal-clear glacial lake set in a deep alpine valley.
This trail is rated “hard” on AllTrails, but hear me out:
We strongly suspect that rating only refers to the Borgeau Lake to Harvey Pass portion, which is an additional 1.5 miles through a perpetually-icy mountain pass. However, if you turn around after reaching the lake, we’d give this hike a “moderate” rating.
7. Fairview Mountain
- Distance: 6 miles (9.7 km), out-and-back
- Elevation gain: 3,320 feet (1,012 meters)
- Difficulty rating: Challenging
- Trail notes on Alltrails
If you’re up for a challenge (emphasis on UP), Fairview Mountain is another hidden gem where you can leave the tourist hordes of Banff behind.
As the day’s visitors come pouring into Lake Louise, you’ll climb up, up, up above them.
The trail is steep and grueling, with several false summits that’ll test your patience. But once you hit the top, it’s all worth it for that 360-degree view and the rush of standing on top of the world.
→ Don’t miss our list of the best things to do (+ places to eat) in Banff and Jasper!
Honorable mentions
We haven’t personally had the opportunity to hike these trails in Banff National Park, but these are on our list for a future visit!
- Mount St. Piran: 7.6 miles (12.2 km) out and back
- Parker Ridge to Saskatchewan Glacier: 4.1 miles (6.6 km) out and back
- Lake Annette and Paradise Valley Trail: 7 miles (11.3 km) out and back
- Sentinel Pass via Larch Valley Trail: 6.9 miles (11.1 km) out and back
- Healy Pass: 11.1 miles (17.9 km) out and back
Best hikes in Jasper National Park
A little wilder and less crowded than Banff, Jasper offers equally epic scenery. These trails showcase the best of the park’s rugged beauty.
8. Valley of the Five Lakes
- Distance: 3.1-mile loop (5 km)
- Elevation gain: 541 feet (165 meters)
- Difficulty rating: Moderate
- Trail notes on Alltrails
If you want a hike that offers huge rewards for relatively low effort, the Valley of the Five Lakes should be at the top of your list. It’s short, well-marked, and easily accessible at just a 10-minute drive from Jasper townsite.
As the name implies, this day hike offers up a whopping five jewel-toned glacial lakes, each somehow more impressive than the last. The mirror-still waters show off a kaleidoscope of greens and blues that reflect the surrounding postcard-worthy alpine scenery.
With this much bang for your buck, you can expect to share the trail with plenty of other hikers. But trust me, it’s worth it!
→ Visit our sister site for our full Valley of the Five Lakes hiking guide so you don’t miss the best views!
⚠️ Important: This trail is currently closed to the public due to wildfire damage. Check the Parks Canada website for up-to-date information on trail conditions.
9. Path of the Glacier
- Distance: 1.1 miles (1.8 km) out and back
- Elevation gain: 275 feet (84 meters)
- Difficulty rating: Easy to moderate
- Trail notes on Alltrails
Super accessible and easy, Path of the Glacier is actually the first leg of the Mount Edith Cavell Meadows trail (next on this list!). But it’s also a worthwhile hike in its own right.
A paved trail takes you to a viewpoint overlooking Cavell Pond, across from the very active Angel Glacier. Keep your eyes and ears open at the lookoff, because this is an excellent spot to witness the glacier calving! Look for icebergs floating in the water, too.
Fair warning: the ease and accessibility of this trail mean it’s pretty much always packed. Most people turn back after the pond, but if you’re up for a bigger challenge and want to escape the crowds, keep reading…
⚠️ Important: This trail is currently closed to the public due to wildfire damage. Check the Parks Canada website for up-to-date information on trail conditions.
10. Mount Edith Cavell Meadows
- Distance: 4.6-mile loop (7.4 km)
- Elevation gain: 1,820 feet (555 meters)
- Difficulty rating: Moderate
- Trail notes on Alltrails
The Path of the Glacier crowds begin to thin out as the pavement ends and the trail branches off toward Mount Edith Cavell Meadows.
The namesake mountain is the highest peak in the Athabasca Valley, recognizable by the hanging Angel Glacier and distinct diagonal lines running across its face.
After navigating moraine fields and climbing some short-but-steep switchbacks, the trail pops out above the treeline and delivers its reward with awe-inspiring views of Mount Edith Cavell and a leisurely loop around the wildflower meadow this hike is famous for.
→ We break down the route in our Mount Edith Cavell trail guide, so you’ll know exactly what to expect on this hike.
⚠️ Important: This trail is currently closed to the public due to wildfire damage. Check the Parks Canada website for up-to-date information on trail conditions.
11. Maligne Canyon
- Distance: 2.3-mile loop (3.7 km)
- Elevation gain: 419 feet (128 meters)
- Difficulty rating: Easy to moderate
- Trail notes on Alltrails
Short, sweet, and close to Jasper townsite, the Maligne Canyon Loop is one of the most popular hikes in Jasper. And I mean tour bus popular, so start your hike early to beat the bulk of the crowds!
The sheer limestone cliffs of this deep, narrow slot canyon plunge more than 150 feet into the abyss. The trail follows the canyon rim, crossing 6 scenic bridges. Tip: The best views are between bridges 1-4!
The Maligne Canyon Loop is accessible year-round, allowing a closeup view of frozen waterfalls in the winter (bring microspikes — it gets icy!). You might even see some ice climbers scaling the canyon walls!
⚠️ Important: This trail is currently closed to the public due to wildfire damage. Check the Parks Canada website for up-to-date information on trail conditions.
Honorable mentions
We haven’t personally had the opportunity to do these hikes in Jasper National Park, but these are on our list for a future visit!
- Sulphur Skyline: 5 miles (8 km) out and back
- Bald Hills: 9.2-mile loop (14.8 km)
- Sunwapta Falls: 2 miles (3.2 km) out and back
- Athabasca Falls: 0.5 miles (0.8 km) out and back
Best hikes in Greater Banff Area (outside the parks)
Though not located within the national parks, these nearby hikes are well worth a spot in your itinerary.
12. Grassi Lakes Trail
- Distance: 2.1-mile loop (3.4 km)
- Elevation gain: 518 feet (158 meters)
- Difficulty rating: Moderate
- Trail notes on Alltrails
Wildly popular for good reason, the Grassi Lakes trail in Canmore, Alberta is an accessible, short, and relatively easy hike. But don’t be fooled—this unassuming trail delivers a tremendous bang for your buck.
Two sparkling alpine lakes are the highlight of this hike, shallow and so crystal-clear you can see right to the bottom. When you see them in person, especially on a sunny day, you won’t believe the color!
There are two trails to choose from. The Grassi Lakes Upper Trail is the easier of the two, but we recommend the Grassi Lakes Interpretive Trail. It’s still pretty easy, but this route includes an impressive waterfall cascading down the mountainside.
→ Be sure to read our Grassi Lakes Trail guide on our sister site to find one of the best photo spots in Canmore that most tourists miss!
13. Upper Kananaskis Lake
- Distance: 9.7-mile loop (15.6 km)
- Elevation gain: 1,568 feet (478 meters)
- Difficulty rating: Moderate
- Trail notes on Alltrails
Located within Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Upper Kananaskis Lake feels like a hidden gem compared to the crowds of Banff and Jasper. I’m sure it’s busier during peak season, but when we visited in September we saw very few other people on the trail.
The full hike loops all the way around the lake, offering varied terrain and postcard-worthy views of jagged mountain peaks mirrored in the glassy blue lake.
Point Campground and Upper Kananaskis Falls are an easy 2-mile hike one-way and make a great picnic stop—or, with a bit more planning, you can turn this into an easy and beginner-friendly backpacking trip!
Honorable mentions
- Wilcox Pass: 7.2 miles (11.6 km) point-to-point
- Bow Glacier Falls: 5.6 miles (9 km) out and back
- Helen Lake Trail: 7.3 miles (11.7 km) out and back
Tips for hiking in the Canadian Rockies
Before you hit the trails, there are some things you should know about hiking in the Canadian Rockies:
1. Consider getting a Parks Canada pass.
While daily admission rates are reasonable ($11 CAD for adults), it may be beneficial to purchase a pass depending on the length of your stay and how many parks you plan to visit.
Good to know: Youth aged 17 and under can enter the parks for free!
2. Start EARLY.
Popular hikes in these areas get very busy, even on weekdays.
Most have limited parking available, so you’ll want to get to the trailhead as early as possible to snag a spot and get ahead of the crowds.
3. Check trail conditions before you go.
In lands this wild, it isn’t uncommon to see trail closures or advisories for a myriad of reasons: maintenance, animal activity, avalanche watches, fire bans, flood warnings, etc.
You can find up-to-date info at the visitors’ centers or on the Parks Canada website:
4. Download offline maps.
Cell service can be spotty and even nonexistent in some areas. Be sure to download offline maps before you leave your hotel, or pick up a trail map at the visitors’ center.
Tip: We swear by AllTrails and love that you can see your real-time location when offline. You need a subscription to download offline maps, so sign up using our link to get your first week of AllTrails+ FREE!
5. Bring layers.
Weather in the Rockies can change on a dime and temperatures can drop quickly, especially at higher elevations.
Some of what you pack will depend on the season. But even if it’s a beautiful summer day on the ground, you should be prepared with the basics:
- base layers (we like merino wool)
- rain jacket (yes, even if rain is not in the forecast!)
- warm puffer (even in summer if you’re hiking at altitude)
- toque (that’s “Canadian” for a beanie)
6. Pack microspikes.
There’s no question you’ll need microspikes if you’re hiking the Rockies in winter. But snow and ice on the trail are very common in the early and late season (June and September) and can even linger into the dead of summer.
→ Not sure where to start? We have a guide on our sister site to help you choose the best microspikes for hiking.
7. Carry bear spray—and know how to use it.
The Canadian Rockies are home to black bears and grizzlies, so you must practice bear safety.
You can buy or rent bear spray at many gear shops and adventure outfitters in Banff and Jasper. The retailer may provide instructions and/or demonstrate how to use it.
The Parks Canada website is also a good resource. This video shows how to use bear spray safely.
Hike in groups whenever possible and make noise so any bears in the area will hear you coming. Wearing a bear bell also helps create noise to scare off bears.
8. Prepare yourself to hike at altitude.
This may not apply to everyone, but if you’re coming from sea level and planning to tackle any of the higher-altitude trails (like Lake Agnes or Mount Edith Cavell), you may be susceptible to altitude sickness.
Acclimate for 2-3 days before hiking if possible. At the very least, stay well-hydrated and pace yourself.
9. Practice Leave No Trace.
This should go without saying, but you should always follow the 7 principles of Leave No Trace in order to protect these fragile ecosystems.
10. Consider making it a campervan trip.
In 2023, we traveled to Banff and Jasper in our own self-built campervan, and it is hands-down our favorite way to experience this region.
Renting a campervan gives you ultimate flexibility, saves on accommodation (which can be very expensive in this area), and lets you stay closer to the trailheads and cut back on pre-sunrise travel time.
We have an entire article on the best campervan rentals in Canada to help you find a rental that suits your needs.
→ Traveling through or from Vancouver? Skip the nationwide list above and go straight to the best campervan rentals in Vancouver.
Canadian Rockies Travel Tips for First-Timers
If this is your first time visiting this region, you’ll want to read our essential tips for planning your trip to Banff & the Canadian Rockies. This guide is packed with helpful information like how to get around and important things to know before you go.
Plan your trip to Canada
We have tons of resources on traveling in Canada and destinations throughout the country. Check out our Canada Homepage for resources on itinerary planning, campervan rentals and more! Or choose to read some of our favorite articles below:
- Start with our essential tips for planning a trip to Banff & the Canadian Rockies.
- Check out our round up of the best campervan rentals in Canada to plan an epic road trip.
- Add this round up of best hikes in Banff to your bucket list.
- Don’t skip out on the best hikes in Jasper.
Don’t miss your chance to grab our Canadian Rockies Pocket Guide!
This (totally FREE!) pocket guide is a condensed version of all the things you should know BEFORE & DURING your trip to the Canadian Rockies!
Just enter your email and we’ll immediately send our pocket guide straight to your inbox!
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We want to hear from you!
Have you hiked in the Canadian Rockies before? What was your favorite trail? Comment to tell us about your experience, or ask any questions you still have!