The Canadian Rockies offer a spectacle of nature at its most grand. Towering peaks, turquoise lakes, and vast glaciers create a landscape best explored on foot. Here are some of the most scenic trails for every ability.
Johnston Canyon Trail
A quintessential Banff experience,
this trail is renowned for its accessibility and unique construction. The walk takes you into a deep limestone canyon on a series of suspended catwalks that hang above the rushing waters of Johnston Creek. The first major viewpoint is the Lower Falls, reached after an easy 1.2-kilometre walk. Continuing another 1.6 kilometres will bring you to the impressive Upper Falls. The trail is well-maintained and suitable for most fitness levels, making it a family favourite. For a longer, more moderate trek, you can continue past the Upper Falls for another 3 kilometres to the Ink Pots, a collection of seven colourful mineral springs in a peaceful meadow.
Moraine Lake Rockpile & Lakeshore Trail
This is arguably one of the highest-reward hikes for the least amount of effort in the entire Canadian Rockies. The main event is the Rockpile Trail, a short loop of about 800 metres that climbs a series of stone steps to a viewpoint. From the top, you are greeted with the world-famous vista of the Valley of the Ten Peaks framing the impossibly blue waters of Moraine Lake—a view once featured on Canada's twenty-dollar bill. After soaking in the views, you can descend and follow the flat, easy lakeshore trail for another perspective on the serene landscape. Access to Moraine Lake Road is restricted to shuttles and commercial operators, so be sure to book your transport in advance.
Lake Agnes Teahouse Trail
For a classic Lake Louise hike with a charming reward, the trail to the Lake Agnes Teahouse is a must-do. This moderately difficult hike is approximately 7.5 kilometres round-trip, with an elevation gain of around 400-500 metres. The path winds upwards through an old-growth forest, passing the tranquil Mirror Lake and a lovely waterfall before arriving at the teahouse. Built in 1901, the rustic cabin is Canada's oldest teahouse, serving tea and snacks to weary hikers in a stunning hanging valley. From Lake Agnes, more ambitious hikers can continue on to trails like the Little Beehive or Big Beehive for even more spectacular aerial views of Lake Louise.
Grassi Lakes
Located just outside Canmore, the Grassi Lakes hike is a local favourite, beloved for its two brilliant turquoise lakes that shimmer at the trail's end. The roughly 4-kilometre trail offers two options: an 'easy' route on a wide gravel path, and a more 'difficult' interpretive trail that is steeper but offers views of a waterfall and the Bow Valley. Many choose to make a loop, taking the more challenging route up and the easier path down. The hike is suitable for families and most fitness levels, taking one to two hours to complete. It's a perfect short excursion that delivers incredible colour and mountain scenery.
Plain of Six Glaciers Trail
If you're looking for a longer, more immersive day hike from Lake Louise, the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail is an excellent choice. The roughly 14-kilometre round-trip hike begins with a flat walk along the shore of Lake Louise before beginning a steady climb into a dramatic alpine valley. Your destination is a stunning natural amphitheatre surrounded by towering peaks and glaciers, including Mount Victoria and Mount Lefroy. Near the end of the maintained trail sits another historic teahouse, built in 1927, where you can rest and refuel before the return journey. With a total elevation gain of nearly 600 metres, it's a moderate hike that rewards every step with breathtaking scenery.
Maligne Canyon Trail
In Jasper National Park, Maligne Canyon offers one of the most fascinating walks in the Rockies. The trail follows the deepest canyon in the park, where the powerful Maligne River has carved a narrow gorge more than 50 metres deep. A series of six bridges cross the canyon at various points, each providing a different, dizzying perspective of the swirling, churning water below. You can choose your own adventure, from a short loop between the first few bridges to a longer hike covering the full 3.7 kilometres to the Sixth Bridge. The self-guided interpretive trail provides insights into the unique geology and underground river system that formed this natural wonder.
