Backpacking trails in Canada
Is backpacking in Canada on your bucket list? This vast, beautiful country has so much to offer when it comes to trekking, with expansive areas of pristine countryside, untouched by human hands. In fact, Canada has a little bit of everything, from dense forests to snow-capped mountains, stunning coastline, and tranquil lakes. Backpackers in this part of the world can expect some pretty mind-blowing scenery!
Canada is a huge country, with many regions that offer great opportunities for backpacking. The Rocky Mountains stretch over British Columbia and Alberta, and are filled with jaw-dropping peaks, crystal lakes, imposing glaciers and wide meadows littered with alpine flowers. What’s more, it’s the perfect place for multi-day treks, with well-attended campsites and accessible trails.
If you’re looking for the best places to go backpacking in Canada, look no further! We’ve put together some of the best backpacking trails across the country, with plenty of tips to help you to make the most of your trip. Happy travelling!
Types Of Backpacking Trails In Canada
Arguably one of the best destinations in the world for hiking, there are countless different types of backpacking trails in Canada. If you’re looking for a short weekend break or a quick getaway, British Columbia offers some excellent possibilities for backpacking just a stone’s throw from Vancouver. You’ll find easy, accessible trails and beautiful landscapes.
Canada is also the ideal place for a family backpacking trip. There are many easy, low-elevation routes that kids and adults can enjoy, and younger hikers are sure to love swimming in some of the pristine alpine lakes of the Rockies.
However, for the more adventurous of spirit, Canada boasts some of the most challenging and exciting backpacking trails in the world, with the opportunity to head deep into the wilderness and really get away from it all. Whatever you’re looking for, Canada has a backpacking trail for you!
Easy Backpacking Trails In Canada
- Rae Lake Backpacking Trail: If time is short and you’re looking for a quick and easy overnight backpacking trail in Canada, why not try the Rae Lake Backpacking Trail? This easy route can be done in a day, but if you camp out overnight, you can enjoy a relaxing swim in the lake and enjoy the beautiful views of the larch forest in the morning. This peaceful trail is the perfect option if you’re looking for an easy backpacking trail in Kananaskis Country.
- Big Elbow Loop Backpacking Trail: This is an accessible, easy, circular route that covers some magnificent scenery in Kananaskis Country. The trail passes through lush forests and offers some fun opportunities for scrambling! What’s more, the campsites next to the Elbow River make for a wonderful pit stop in a truly gorgeous setting.
Family Backpacking Trails In Canada
- Elk Lakes and Petain Basin Backpacking Trail: If your family loves waterfalls, this two or three-day hike to one of the largest waterfalls in the Rockies is sure to delight! The Elk Lakes and Petain Basin backpacking trail offers an easy trek, accessible for the entire family, but still takes in some of the most impressive mountains in the Rockies. You’ll find plenty to enjoy in the Petain Basin, and this is a great way to get kids excited about backpacking!
- Elbow Lake Backpacking Trail: For beginner backpackers, you can’t do better than a hike around Elbow Lake. This two to three-day route is a favorite among families, taking you through some impressive scenery without too much effort. The Elbow Lake Backcountry campground is well equipped, and this is an excellent opportunity to introduce younger kids to the delights of backpacking! The route circumnavigates the stunning lake, with plenty of opportunities to relax by the water.
- Floe Lake and Numa Pass Backpacking Trail: There are plenty of good family backpacking trails in Canada, and the Floe Lake and Numa Pass backpacking trail is one of the best. It’s a two-day trek to take in both Floe Lake and Numa Pass, and kids are sure to love the experience of being out in some of Canada’s finest terrain. Come in autumn to see the larch forests in all their dazzling colors.
- Lake Minnewanka Backpacking Trail: Want to get away with the kids for the weekend? Look no further than this classic Banff backpacking trail at Lake Minnewanka. The route traverses the north side of the lake, passing by Stewart Canyon and offering beautiful views over the water. Kids will love this trail, which offers plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting. Lake Minnewanka backpacking trail is one of our favorites and a great weekend escape from the city.
Challenging Backpacking Trails In Canada
- Weary Creek Backpacking Trail: If you’re looking for one of the more challenging backpacking trails in Canada, look no further than the Weary Creek backpacking trail. This is a tough trail and requires some skill in route-finding, so only attempt it if you’re an experienced backpacker! However, it’s also one of the most rewarding routes in the Rockies, with gorgeous wildflowers, beautiful vistas, and some fun scrambles in a remote part of the Kananaskis.
- Cairn Pass Backpacking Trail: Want to really get away from it all? Try the Cairn Pass backpacking trail, where you can leave the world behind and embrace the wildness of the Canadian Rockies. The isolated Cairn Pass trail will bring you along the Medicine Tent River, and past wide meadows and glittering lakes, offering some spectacular alpine scenery. This is one of the most challenging backpacking trails in Canada, but is well worth the effort.
Best Backpacking Trails In Canada
- Turbine Canyon and Three Isle Lake Backpacking Trail: One of our favorite trails in the Rockies is the challenging route to Turbine Canyon and Three Isle Lake. This is a classic hike through the Rockies, crossing over two alpine passes, and passing by canyons, glaciers, and lakes along the way. There are many ways to reach the canyon, but our favorite takes you all the way to Hidden Lake and offers some pretty spectacular views.
- Berg Lake Backpacking Trail: Deep in the heart of Jasper National Park, the Berg Lake backpacking trail is a must for nature lovers. The trail passes through lush, green forests, expansive valleys, and gushing waterfalls until you reach the stunning Berg Lake itself. Book ahead to secure a place on this backpacking trip, as visitor numbers are limited and it is extremely popular!
- Devon Lakes Backpacking Trail: Head to Banff National Park and the Devon Lakes for one of the most rewarding hikes in Canada. This stunning trail crosses three mountain passes and is completely isolated. It’s an excellent place for nature spotting and offers some wonderful views over the expansive alpine meadows.
- Skyline Backpacking Trail: For those with a head for heights, the Skyline backpacking trail in Jasper National Park is a real adventure. This backpacking route is the highest trail in the park, with a 25km stretch above the treeline, meaning you’ll have some jaw-dropping views over the mountains. Prepare for some spectacular sights, including glacial lakes, imposing ridges, and vast alpine meadows, strewn with flowers. A real bucket list backpacking adventure.
- Nigel, Cataract and Cline Pass Backpacking Trail: The Nigel, Cataract and Cline Pass backpacking trail is one of the most stunning routes in the Canadian Rockies. This 3-day hike will take you deep into the White Goat Wilderness area, where you’ll find glaciers and glacial streams, stunning high passes, wide, wild meadows, and beautiful colored rocks. Wild camping is permitted, making this one of the best routes to leave the world behind and immerse yourself in nature.
- Rockwall Backpacking Trail: The Rockwall backpacking trail is one of the most popular multi-day hikes in Canada, and with good reason! This beautiful route has some spectacular scenery to offer with plenty of variation and some epic vistas. The trail will take you over three high passes, so it’s not for the faint of heart, but there’s some beautiful wildlife to be found along the way, not to mention many lakes, waterfalls, and glaciers. This bucket list hike should be experienced at least once in a lifetime.
- Ball Pass to Shadow Lake Backpacking Trail: British Columbia offers some wonderful backpacking routes, and this Ball Pass to Shadow Lake trail is no exception. Beginning in Kootenay National Park, the trail leads right up to Shadow Lake in Banff National Park, passing by a quiet walking trail that provides some wonderful views. You’ll get a stunning vista of the nearby mountains from Ball Pass, and if you’ve got the energy, you can extend the hike to take in the Whistling Valley too.
- Tonquin Valley Backpacking Trail: This trek is certainly one of the most unique and spectacular hiking routes in Canada. The highlight of the Tonquin Valley trail is the stunning view of the Ramparts, a series of ten castellated peaks sitting upon a towering wall of limestone. To add to the drama, the peaks are reflected in the crystal waters of the nearby Amethyst Lake, making for some truly impressive photo opportunities. This three-day route is one of the best hikes in Jasper National Park.
- Tombstone Lakes Backpacking Trail: The jagged peaks of Tombstone Mountain offer the perfect backdrop for the Tombstone Lakes backpacking trail. The Tombstone Lakes sit at the base of the mountain, creating a magnificent view and providing some stunning photo opportunities. What’s more, the route to the lakes along the Elbow River is a destination in itself – the ideal mid-level backpacking trail for those looking to get away from it all.
- Baker Lake and Skoki Region Backpacking Trail: The Skoki region in Banff National Park is one of the most popular backpacking destinations in Canada, and with good reason. This Baker Lake and Skoki Region backpacking trail is one of our favorite backpacking routes with spectacular views and plenty of variety over the three or four days that it takes to complete. You’ll find scenic valley meadows, tranquil lakes, high alpine passes, and some fun opportunities for scrambling, in addition to plenty of chances for wildlife-spotting.
- Gibbon, Whistling and Healy Pass Backpacking Trail: For one of the best hikes in Canada, head to the Rockies and complete the Gibbon, Whistling and Healy Pass backpacking trail. This five-day trek crosses three beautiful mountain passes, littered with alpine flowers. You’ll see ancient forests, towering rocky peaks, and impressive glaciers along the way.
When Is The Best Time To Go Backpacking In Canada?
Canadian winters are notoriously long, cold and harsh, meaning that the backpacking season is mainly confined to the summer months. In Alberta and British Columbia, the backpacking season begins in June and continues until early fall, depending on the weather. Even in early June, you may find snow lingering on the higher peaks, so try and choose lower elevation trails.
The best time for backpacking is July and August when temperatures don’t drop too low in the evening. Although many trails are still accessible in September, and the views can be spectacular, expect some snow and cold weather, especially over higher ground.
This short season for backpacking means that the trails in Banff and Lake Louise can sometimes be crowded, so try to avoid the peak season of July and August, and make sure to reserve ahead if you want to travel to national parks where visitor numbers are restricted.
Other Activities In Canada
Canada is a paradise for backpackers, but there are also plenty of other activities you can do in this stunning country! It goes without saying that Canada offers some of the best trails in the world, and we’ve been working hard to put together a list of the best hikes in Canada. There are also many opportunities for road biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. One thing’s for certain – in Canada, there’s an adventure around every corner, and you’ll never be short of outdoor activities!
Best Regions For Backpacking Near Canada
Most of Canada’s best backpacking routes are located in Alberta and British Columbia, home of the Canadian Rockies. In these two states, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to spectacular backpacking trips. To help you decide where to go, we’ve put together guides to all of the best regions for backpacking and trekking, including Banff, Jasper National Park, Kananaskis Country, and Kootenay National Park. Wherever you choose, you can’t go wrong!
How To Plan A Trip To Canada
Planning a backpacking trip to Canada? We’ve got everything you’ll need to know before you go. To help you plan your trip to perfection, we’ve put together expert guides to all of the major backpacking regions, including Yoho National Park, Kootenay, Banff, Lake Louise, Waterton, Kananaskis, Canmore, Jasper, and Castle Provincial Park. If you’re looking for backpacking adventures in British Columbia outside of the main Canadian Rockies corridor, don’t miss our guides to the West Kootenays, Whistler, and Strathcona.
Find Backpacking Tours or other tours in Canada
Operated by local tour operators, these incredible Canadian Tours are great if you don’t want to plan your own trip. Explore a variety of tours in Alberta, BC, the Arctic, Quebec, and Yukon.
Not sure where to go in Canada, or what activity you want to do? Why not check out the hiking tours and cycling tours on offer across Canada? If you are looking for something a bit more exotic, you can also find a range of backpacking tours all over the world.
Backpacking regions in Canada
Best Backpacking trails in Canada
The Rockwall Trail
Kootenay National Park’s Rockwall Trail is one of the most popular, multi-day backpacks in the Canadian Rockies. The Rockwall is on most backpackers bucket lists, and for good reason. Not only does this trail contain the namesake Rockwall, but there are many lakes, waterfalls, glaciers, creeks, and wildlife to make it a perfect escape into the wild. Be careful, you may not want to come back!
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Skyline
Being Jasper's highest backpacking trail, The Skyline is a great way to experience what the Canadian Rockies have to offer. Over 20.0 kms of this trail are above treeline, and the majestic views continue into what seems like unreachable distances. For those new to the sterile beauty of the crumbling rocky mountains, three days spent on this trail will serve as an excellent introduction to backpacking in the Canadian Rockies, and definitely leave you wanting more!
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Castle Towers Backpacking Trail
The Castle Towers Backpacking Trail is a difficult 34.6 km out-and-back hiking route that climbs through the rugged landscape of Garibaldi Provincial Park on the way to summit Castle Towers. This trail is best completed in a multi-day format, with an overnight stay at the Helm Creek Campground. Along the trail you will hike through scenic alpine meadows and experience the amazing sights within the park, such as the iconic Black Tusk and numerous glaciers. This is a challenging route that should only be attempted by experienced and confident hikers, but it does offer fantastic views that will allow you to witness the natural beauty of the Whistler area.
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Heather Trail to Nicomen Lake Backpacking Trail
The Heather Trail to Nicomen Lake is a beautifully scenic multi-day hike that climbs through the alpine meadows of E.C. Manning Provincial Park on the way to the pristine waters of Nicomen Lake. This backpacking trail is fairly long at 43.8 km, but the terrain isn’t overly difficult/technical and there are several campsites located along the route. This makes for a flexible backcountry journey that you can customize to fit your schedule.
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Maligne Pass and Replica Peak
Maligne Pass is a wonderful alpine pass in a rarely-visited area of Jasper National Park. Maligne Pass is one of the largest alpine passes in the Rockies, dotted with tarns and wildflowers and surrounded by some of the largest peaks in the Rockies.
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Floe Lake and Numa Pass
Floe Lake is one of the most photogenic lakes in the Rockies and the backpack to it and beyond to Numa Pass is one of the most colorful as wildflowers bloom in the summer and larch trees below the pass turn brilliantly gold in the fall.
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PCT Northern Terminus Backpacking Trail
The PCT Northern Terminus Trail is an amazing hike within E.C. Manning Provincial Park that takes hikers to the northern tip of the Pacific Crest Trail, a legendary route through the United States that spans a 4,265.0 km distance from Mexico to the border with Canada. While you won’t be able to legally cross the border into the United States, this trail will bring you right up to the monument marking the beginning of the famous hiking route. Along the way you will be surrounded with scenic views of the rugged mountains and picturesque stretches of forest that characterize the landscape along the border.
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Tonquin Valley
The Tonquin Valley is a backpacking paradise. The prize of the trip is the Ramparts, a series of 10 castellated peaks atop a 1,000 m wall of limestone, reflected in the connected Amethyst Lakes. It is also one of the few remaining areas where it is still common to see the shy and elusive mountain caribou, an endangered species.
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Frosty Mountain Loop Backpacking Trail
The Frosty Mountain Loop Backpacking Trail is a 27.0 km loop through E.C. Manning Provincial Park that takes hikers on a scenic uphill climb to the summit of Frosty Mountain. From the highest point in the park, you will be able to experience sweeping views that reach out across both sides of the Canada-United States border. Hikers will then camp the night at Frosty Creek Camp before continuing the journey through beautiful forests and alpine meadows on the return leg of the trek.
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Berg Lake Trail – Backpacking
Yes, Berg Lake isn't in Jasper, or Alberta, but it's often associated with trips to Jasper, so we included it. The Berg Lake Trail is renowned as one of Canada's best, and it would be hard to find someone who disagrees. You'll pass through lush valleys, impressive waterfalls, and rocky slopes to reach the aptly-named Berg Lake, below the towering Mount Robson. The views of the Berg Glacier toeing off into the lake are unforgettable, and the day hikes from here will take you to icefields, caves, and stunning viewpoints.
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