Banff and Yoho Hiking Tour

Today, your guides gather the group at a downtown Calgary hotel at 2 pm and head west into the heart of the Rocky Mountains. A brief stop in Canmore allows time to pick up supplies and purchase alcohol or snacks before continuing north through Banff National Park and onto the Icefields Parkway.

Sit back and take in the sweeping mountain scenery while connecting with fellow hikers who will share the journey for the week ahead. Arrival at the lodge marks the first two-night stay, followed by a welcoming group dinner and a detailed tour orientation to prepare for the adventure ahead.

Today begins with a journey to Jasper National Park along the iconic Icefields Parkway, one of the most photographed roads in the world. Upon arrival, the Columbia Icefields come into view, the largest body of ice in the Canadian Rockies. From here, choose between a guided hike on the Wilcox Pass Trail or a guided glacier ice walking tour on the Athabasca Glacier, using specialized equipment and led by a professional guide for an up-close experience of the ice.

The guided hike to Wilcox Pass climbs through sunny alpine meadows to a sweeping bird’s-eye view of the Athabasca Glacier, followed by a picnic lunch surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery. After the hike, the journey continues to Peyto Lake, famous for its vivid turquoise waters and ranking among the most photographed lakes in the Rockies. A lesser-known lookout provides an ideal vantage point to admire the brilliant natural color of the lake and capture striking landscape photographs.

After packing up and checking out, the journey continues south with morning light illuminating the mountains to the west. The Icefields Parkway is especially stunning at this time of day, offering some of the best views along the route. Arrival in Yoho National Park marks the start of the day’s group hike. “Yoho,” a local Indigenous word meaning “to be in awe,” perfectly captures the experience awaiting in this remarkable landscape.

The first highlight is Takakkaw Falls, plunging 250 meters down a sheer rock wall, with much of the water turning to mist before reaching the ground. The hike along the Iceline Trail quickly gains elevation to a ledge with spectacular views of the waterfall below and the Emerald Glacier above. The route winds through striking alpine terrain, passing glaciers, streams, lakes, and distant waterfalls—widely considered one of the finest hikes in Canada. After the adventure in Yoho National Park, travel continues west to the mountain town of Golden for a two-night stay, a welcoming and up-and-coming destination known for excellent dining, a standout brewery, and a relaxed atmosphere.

Glacier National Park remains unseen by most Rockies visitors, making it one of Canada’s most underrated national parks. The journey leads to Rogers Pass, between Golden and Revelstoke, a historic corridor once considered the most difficult section of railway and highway to complete across the country. More than 140 active avalanche paths descend into the valley each winter, and passage through avalanche tunnels reveals stories of the engineering feats and tragedies that shaped this dramatic mountain route.

Beyond the pass lies the Columbia Trench, standing on land that was once part of the Pacific Ocean before tectonic forces uplifted the Rockies and Columbia Mountains. A guided hike along the Great Glacier Trail or Balu Pass Trail travels through towering old-growth forest and alder thickets before emerging into the alpine, where sweeping panoramic views unfold. Crisp mountain air and sightings of Usnea, or “Witches’ Hair” lichen—an indicator of exceptionally pure air—highlight the pristine environment. Time permitting, a visit to the interpretive center offers deeper insight into the region’s natural forces and the history of those who once traveled this rugged landscape.

This day marks the highlight of the journey, traveling east through Yoho National Park toward the iconic shores of Lake Louise. Lake Louise and Moraine Lake rank among the most famous attractions in the Rockies, and expert local guides reveal unique vantage points away from the busiest areas. The Plain of Six Glaciers hike follows the shoreline of Lake Louise before ascending the valley to the foot of a distant glacier. Towering rock walls rise dramatically along the route, and occasional crashing ice echoes across the valley as it loosens in the morning sun—a powerful reminder of nature’s force.

The trail continues to a historic mountain tea house, serving visitors for nearly 150 years and inspired by early Swiss mountaineers who pioneered climbing routes in the area. Instead of returning the same way, the route climbs higher toward Big Beehive for sweeping views of Lake Louise far below, then descends past Lake Agnes and its charming tea house. Later, a scenic drive leads to Moraine Lake, where vivid blue waters and the dramatic Valley of the Ten Peaks create one of the most recognizable views in the Rockies. The day concludes in Banff with a two-night stay at the Fox Hotel, featuring a unique grotto-style hot pool, followed by an evening stroll along Banff Avenue for dinner as a group.

The day begins in Banff with breakfast and coffee at a local café before departing for a guided hike in Kananaskis Country, a vast wilderness area south of Banff that remains largely unknown to tourists and often overlooked by locals. The route passes through Canmore and into the subalpine landscape, skirting Spray Lake and continuing beyond Kananaskis Lakes. Sweeping views of unspoiled wilderness stretch in every direction, with excellent opportunities to spot wildlife such as moose.

The hike follows gentle slopes dotted with wildflowers into a hanging valley filled with the alpine waters of Picklejar Lakes. This peaceful region offers a rewarding day on the trail far from busy viewpoints, with the occasional sight of wildland cattle grazing nearby. Back in Banff, the journey concludes with a celebratory group dinner, followed by a relaxing soak in the Upper Hot Springs. These mineral-rich waters have attracted visitors for thousands of years and provide a soothing end to an unforgettable week in the Rockies.

The journey concludes with a final guided hike in Grotto Canyon near Canmore. This striking walk follows a narrow slot canyon carved by thousands of years of rushing water, creating steep and dramatic rock walls that tower overhead. Along the route, ancient pictographs dating back roughly 1,300 years offer a glimpse into the region’s early Indigenous history. Around the next bend, a picturesque waterfall and a natural grotto carved into the mountainside provide a memorable final highlight.

After the hike, the return drive to Calgary takes approximately 1.5 hours, with arrival scheduled for 2:00 pm.