Take your guided hike to another level! Discover what’s in season or focus on a single fascinating topic about the nature of the Canadian Rockies.
On a Special Theme Hike, you can:
- Explore the world of the grizzly bear.
- Delve deep into Rocky Mountain geology and glaciers.
- Get “wowed” by water or wildflowers.
- Evolve your thinking on relationships in nature.
- Fire up your senses in a blaze of autumn colour!
Following the Grizzly
July 1 to September 30
What is better than being face to face with a grizzly bear? Almost anything, but we’ll settle for being face to face with where a grizzly bear has been. This day hike through high elevation bear habitat will feature a walking travelogue about the fascinating world of bear behaviour and biology.
Easy to Moderate full day
We will choose the appropriate trail based on your abilities, the number of people in your group and recent bear activity. We use trails that have bear signs (digging, claw marks on trees), but we reserve the right to avoid areas with active bear presence, depending on the circumstances. We may be hiking on trails that have official bear warnings or group size restrictions.
Made For Each Other
June 15 to September 30
National parks are full of big animals, big peaks and big scenery, but behind the scenes there are some astounding partnerships — soil fungus & tree roots, Clark’s nutcrackers & whitebark pine, bumblebees & calyspo orchids and many more. If you want to understand the inner workings of nature and wildlife in the Canadian Rockies, this hike to Paget Lookout is for you.
Moderate full day
- Total distance: 7 km / 4.5 mi
- Elevation gain: 1700 ft / 518 m
The Wonder of Water
June 15 – September 30
In the shadow of the Bow Glacier, we find water in all its glory — tumbling waterfalls, slot canyons, blue glaciers, braided streams, and beautiful Bow Lake. Here, you’ll see how water and ice have sculpted the Rockies, and find out what water and ice have to teach us: they hold data about everything from past ice ages to today’s changing climate.
Bow Glacier Falls: Moderate full day hike, due to rough trail.
- Total distance: 9 km / 5.5 mi
- Elevation gain: 310 ft / 95 m
Mountains and Glaciers
June 15 to September 30
A great introduction to Canadian Rockies geology, this full day hike on the famous Plain of Six Glaciers trail features the high peaks of the main ranges, moraines, rockslides as well as glaciers and their handiwork. Join us for a sensational sedimentary sandwich and an edible glacier for dessert!
Moderate full day
- Total distance: 11 km / 7 mi
- Elevation gain: 1200 ft / 365 m
The World of Wildflowers
June 15 to August 7
Wildflowers are more than just a pretty face. Looking more deeply, they tell intriguing stories about beautiful relationships – with the environment, with other creatures and with the people who admire them, people like you! Take a flower walk with us and explore their mountain world.
Easy to moderate full day
- We will choose the best blooming trail of the week in the Lake Louise area.
Golden Larches
September 15 to September 30
During mid to late September, alpine larch trees turn an incredible gold, creating a fabulous fall feeling in the high country. These trees survive and thrive where evergreens are struggling to just get a toehold!
You will discover the survival secrets of the alpine larch from birth to death, what treeline is all about, larch sex (oo-la-la!), and the story that larch trees tell about past climates.
Moderate to difficult full day
- We will send you a selection of trails to choose from.
- All Special Theme Hikes are full days (6-8 hours)
- 1-5 People CDN $579 for the group
- 6+ People CDN $104 per person
- plus 5% GST
A portion of our revenue is donated to wildlife and wilderness conservation.
Add a Great Divide baseball hat for only $30. We will have your hat ready and waiting at the beginning of the hike!
Check out the story of our travelling hat!
- Season: Various – see each Theme Hike.
- Maximum of 12 people. Children of all ages welcome.
- All participants are required to sign a waiver releasing Great Divide Nature Interpretation from liability before the trip begins.
- We do not provide transportation. In some cases there may be trails directly adjacent to your hotel. Otherwise, you will need a vehicle or you may be able to use the new shuttle systems.
- Your trip will start in Lake Louise, or at the trailhead, depending on where you are staying. Lake Louise is a 45 minute drive from Banff town, one hour from Canmore and two hours from the western edge of Calgary.
- For more details, see Hiking FAQs.
2024 Prices
All Special Theme Hikes are full days (6-8 hours)
1-5 People CDN $579 for the group
6+ People CDN $104 per person
plus 5% GST
A portion of our profit is donated to wildlife and wilderness conservation.
Add a Great Divide baseball hat for only $30. We will have your hat ready and waiting at the beginning of the hike!
Check out the story of our travelling hat!
What You Need to Know
- Season: Various – see each Theme Hike.
- Maximum of 12 people. Children of all ages welcome.
- All participants are required to sign a waiver releasing Great Divide Nature Interpretation from liability before the trip begins.
- We do not provide transportation. In some cases there may be trails directly adjacent to your hotel. Otherwise, you will need a vehicle or you may be able to use the new shuttle systems.
- Your trip will start in Lake Louise, or at the trailhead, depending on where you are staying. Lake Louise is a 45 minute drive from Banff town, one hour from Canmore and two hours from the western edge of Calgary.
- For more details, see Hiking FAQs.
Availability and booking
Go to our availability calendar to see open dates and find our booking form.
