Backpacking the Rockwall Highline
Take on one of Canada’s best backpacking trails, Rockwall Highline
Guided
Backpacking the Rockwall Highline Overview
Want to tackle your first backpacking trip, but not sure how to make it everything you dream of it being? The Backpacking the Rockwall Highline is a perfect introduction to backpacking. With no previous experience required (just some solid hiking fitness!) and a long reel of unbelievable scenery to discover, this is a backpacking trip you’re guaranteed to fall in love with!
Your guides will take you along the jagged, rocky ridgelines that make the Rockwall Highline so incredible, spotting the Bugaboos, countless glaciers, Floe Lake, and tumbling waterfalls below. Gaze up at one of the tallest waterfalls in Canada, and then climb along some of the most impressive peaks in the Kootenays. Each night, you’ll camp under a wide sky of stars, completely immersed in the wild beauty of the Canadian Rockies. You just can’t miss out on the Backpacking the Rockwall Highline tour!
Trip highlights
Embark on a legendary backpacking trip that requires no previous experience or special skills.
Marvel at the undulating ridgelines of the Rockwall Highline from your sky-high trails.
Spend each night cozied up in a new campsite, unplugging from it all and relaxing in the wilderness.
Walk through vast alpine meadows surrounded by the dramatic Bugaboos mountains.
Day By Day Itinerary
Meet at Canmore office at 7am for gear review and then drive to trailhead.
Begin our adventure from the Paint Pots, a source of red ochre clay used by indigenous communities. You’ll hike along Ochre and Helmet Creeks, passing through mature forests to tonight’s campsite. You’ll be right in the middle of a stunning cirque dominated by one of the largest waterfalls in the Rockies, Helmet Falls (352 metres).
Watch for mountain goats on the cirque as you set up camp and eat dinner together.
- Overnight Location:
- Camping in Kootenay National Park
- Distance:
- 14.6km, 624m elevation gain
- Meals:
- Lunch, dinner
Today is going to be a stunning one! Hike to the base of Limestone Peak and the northern end of the Rockwall. You’ll hike through flower-dotted meadows, making a side trip to Wolverine Pass, an impressive cleft in the Rockwall. From the cleft, look over the jagged spires of the Bugaboos to the west.
Drop down into the head of Tumbling Creek to make camp.
- Overnight Location:
- Camping in Kootenay National Park
- Distance:
- 12.4km, 700m elevation gain, 560m elevation loss
- Meals:
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
An easier trail takes you up to Tumbling Pass this morning, where you can snap photos of Tumbling Glacier (not tumbling very far, usually). The pass is gorgeous, with larches and wildflowers flanking you. On the pass, you can choose some ridgewalks to maximize your views.
Take a long descent into Numa Creek, where you’ll camp tonight.
- Overnight Location:
- Camping in Kootenay National Park
- Distance:
- 7.1km, 330m elevation gain, 715m elevation loss
- Meals:
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After coffee at camp, start hiking through Numa Pass, the highest point of your trail. The views here are exceptional! You’ll descend to Flow Lake, one of the most beautiful places in the Rockies, with its waters speckled with fallen ice. You’ll get to camp right next to this magical lake tonight.
- Overnight Location:
- Camping in Kootenay National Park
- Distance:
- 10.2km, 860m elevation gain, 315m elevation loss
- Meals:
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
It’s your last day! It’ll be bittersweet as you pack up camp and hike through a forest regenerating after a forest fire in 2003. Watch for flowering perennials taking advantage of the extra sunlight.
Arriving at the van and driving back to Canmore, you’ll feel equally accomplished, satisfied, and sad to be leaving. You can choose to go out for dinner tonight with the grou to toast your journey if you’d like!
- Overnight Location:
- None
- Distance:
- 10,7km, 308m elevation gain, 1000m elevation loss
- Meals:
- Breakfast, lunch
Tour Map
We know Adventure
10Adventures only does Hiking, Cycling and Adventure Holidays. Its our mission to help you explore the world!
Inclusions
Included
- 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 4 dinners are included. Please pack any additional snacks you may want. Meals to suit dietary requirements are available but may incur an additional fee depending on your needs.
- Accommodations for 4 nights are included in shared tents. Accommodations before or after the tour are not included but can be booked as a supplement. You should arrive to Canmore one day before the tour start for a briefing.
- You will be driven from Canmore to the trailhead on Day 1. You will be responsible for your own transportation to Canmore and back on the final day. We recommend booking shuttles or renting a car.
- Tents
- Expert guide services
Not Included
- Flights
- Hotels
- Meals, drinks, or snacks
- Travel insurance
- Optional excursions
- Visas if required
- Anything not mentioned as included
- GST (5%)
Optional Extras
- Special dietary requirement meals
Non-Standard Cancellation
- 60 days or more prior to departure: the cancellation fee will be 10% of the total trip cost (at least $150 CAD).
- 59 days or less prior to departure: the cancellation fee will be 100% of the total trip cost.
Reviews
These reviews reflect all trips offered by this local tour partner on 10Adventures, not just the tour you’re viewing.
These reviews reflect all trips offered by this local tour partner on 10Adventures, not just the tour you’re viewing.
Travellers love 10Adventures
View all
FAQ
We rate this tour as a 4/5. You don ’t need any previous experience backpacking for this tour, but you should be fit enough to hike an average of 7 km-14 km per day for consecutive days at high altitudes. You will also need to be comfortable sleeping in basic conditions on this tour, as well as carrying a backpack of up to 16 kg (35 lbs).
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 4 dinners are included. Please pack any additional snacks you may want. Meals to suit dietary requirements are available but may incur an additional fee depending on your needs.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip. Please verify that your insurance covers the included activities on this tour. Get your Travel Insurance.
Yes, you will carry everything you need, as well as a share of the common food and equipment.
Fly into the Calgary International Airport (YYC). We recommend renting a car or booking a shuttle as you’ll need to find your way to Canmore and back to the airport at the end of the tour.
Yes, you will be led by an experienced guide.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions concerning your packing list for this trip. As a start, we recommend bringing:
- Boots
- Multiday pack (55-75 litres)
- Daypack
- Bladder or water bottle (1-2 litres)
- Sunglasses
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping mat
- Pillow
- Sunscreen
- Camera
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Blister kit
- Hand sanitizer
- Bug spray
- Utensils and bowl
- Trekking poles
- Insulated jacket
- Fleece Jacket
- Hiking pants
- Light footwear for camp
- Rain gear
- Personal toiletries
The tour ends in Canmore. You will need to find your way back to the airport.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to visit the Canadian Rockies for this tour is between early July and mid-September when the weather in the mountains tends to be the warmest and sunniest.
Why book Backpacking the Rockwall Highline with 10 Adventures?
Small Group Adventures
Join like-minded travellers to safely and confidently experience all the things that make our world worth exploring.
Packed with Inclusions
Accommodations, luggage transfers, gear rentals, and more - all taken care of so you can focus on making memories.
World Class Support
Have peace of mind for when travel plans change with our hassle-free booking process and unbeatable support.
Let's start talking about your next adventure!