BANFF, YOHO & KOOTENAY
Lake Louise is a hub for the best hikes in the Canadian Rockies because of its central location and its proximity to the Great Divide – the tallest glacier-clad peaks.
Trails in the area start at high elevation, so you quickly arrive at open views and rewarding scenery!
To get the stories behind the scenery, book a walk or hike with Great Divide Nature Interpretation. Our many fabulous Tripadvisor reviews say it all.
These “Top 9 1/2 Trails” are just a few of the ones we guide on (and are not in any particular order). There are others that might be perfect for you! Lake O’Hara, for instance, has enough great trails to make its own own top ten list.
Paget Lookout
Located right on the Great Divide, the old Paget fire lookout boasts impressive views of the surrounding peaks, including one of the biggest drops in the Canadian Rockies – the north face of Mt. Stephen.
The trail winds its way up through a varied subalpine forest and across avalanche paths, ending high above the valley. This is a quiet, beautiful trail perfect for those seeking solitude.
Moderate full day guided hike
- 7 km (4.5 mi) return trip
- 518 m (1700 ft) elevation gain
- Co-evolution theme hike available
The Plain of Six Glaciers
The “Plain of Six” is probably the most famous Lake Louise hike, and for good reason. This trail gives you a lot of satisfaction for a moderate effort.
Starting at the Chateau Lake Louise, the path follows the lakeshore and continues to the back of the valley where the views just get better and better. Glaciers, vaulting peaks, avalanche paths, high mountain wildlife and a possible teahouse visit are all on the menu.
Moderate full day guided hike
- 11 km (7 mi) return trip
- 365 m (1200 ft) elevation gain
- Note: This trail is busy and shares parts of the trail with horseback riding trips. Go early to beat the crowds.
- Geology theme hike available
Helen Lake
The Helen Lake trail, off the Icefields Parkway, takes you into some of the most extensive alpine meadows in Banff. Wildflowers cover the ground from mid-July to mid-August. There are wonderful views of the Crowfoot Glacier and Dolomite Peak, and a good chance you’ll see marmots.
Moderate full day guided hike
- 12 km (7.5 mi) return trip
- 455 m (1500 ft) elevation gain
- Grizzly bear and wildflower theme hikes available
The Valley of Ten Peaks
The famous Valley of Ten Peaks surrounding Moraine Lake is seen to its best advantage on this trail. All ten summits, each over 10,000 feet high, loom over the Wenkchemna glacier below. The trail crosses meadows filled with wildflowers during the mid-summer season. This trail is also referred to as the Eiffel Lake trail, but the Ten Peaks are the dominant feature on display here.
Moderate full day guided hike
- 9-11 km (6-7 mi) return trip
- 365 m (1200 ft) elevation gain
- Park regulations may require a group size of 4 or more people on this trail due to grizzly bear activity
- Wildflower, grizzly bear and larch theme hikes available
Sherbrooke Lake
Despite its short length, Sherbrooke Lake is a quiet trail with a wilderness feel. The lake’s aquamarine waters are fed by the Wapta Icefield and the forest has many stories to tell – of past fires, powerful winds and grizzly bear life.
Because of the wide variety of habitats along the way, the trail boasts an amazing diversity of wildflowers in June and July. A must-do trail for flower lovers during this early season.
Easy half day guided hike
- 6 km (4 mi) return trip
- 190 m (630 ft) elevation gain
Saddleback Pass
All the classic features of the high country can be found on this relatively quiet Lake Louise trail: talus slopes, pikas, marmots, old-growth forest and larch trees. Great mountain views, including the best overlook of impressive Mt. Temple.
Moderate+ full day guided hike
- 8 km (5 mi) return trip
- 625 m (2050 ft) elevation gain
- Larch theme hike available
Bow Glacier Falls
If you love water, this is the trail for you! A slot canyon, old moraines, blue glaciers, braided streams, beautiful Bow Lake and spectacular Bow Glacier Falls all combine to create a lot of scenic beauty.
The first destination is the high viewpoint in front of the falls, or you can take on the “adventure” of crossing a rocky landscape to reach the waterfall itself.
Moderate full day guided hike
- 9 km (5.5 mi) return trip
- 95 m (310 ft) elevation gain
- Note: This trail is easy in distance and elevation, but has some rough sections and sections of loose rock. It requires strong ankles, good footwear and good balance.
- Wonder of Water theme hike available
The Iceline
With incredible views of the Yoho Valley, Takakkaw Falls and the Wapta Icefield, this trail has you walking on bare rock and moraine rubble in the forefront of the Emerald Glacier. There is no other trail quite like it! Best from July on.
Difficult to very difficult full day guided hike
You can choose how big you want to go, from the Iceline Lite to the Iceline Max. Locals usually don’t make a loop because you end up doing a long trek through the forest. We like to stay up high and in the open!
Iceline Lite – to the Takakkaw Falls viewpoint
- 8-9 km (5-5.5 mi) return trip
- 670 m (2200 ft) elevation gain
Iceline to Trail Summit & Back
- 14 km (8.75 mi) return trip
- 720 m (2360 ft) elevation gain
Stanley Glacier
Since 2003, the Stanley Glacier trail has been one of the most interesting day hikes in the Rockies. A wildfire set the ecological clock back in time. The result is surprisingly beautiful!
Flowers bloom prolifically in the post-fire soil and young saplings reach skyward from between silvery downed logs. The trail leads from fire to ice, ending in a dramatic amphitheatre with the Stanley Glacier hanging above.
Moderate full day guided hike
- 8.4 km (5.5 mi) return trip
- 365 m (1200 ft) elevation gain
- A shorter version can be done as a moderate half day guided hike.
Lake Agnes and The Beehives
The trail towards Lake Agnes and the Beehives is wide and well-graded. Old-growth forest gives way to expansive views of the mountains above Lake Louise. In fall, larch trees turn vivid gold, lighting up your trip to the Big or Little Beehive — or both!
Little Beehive: moderate full day guided hike
- 9 km (5.5 mi) round trip
- 510 m (1675 ft) elevation gain
Big Beehive: moderate full day guided hike
- 12 km (7.5 mi) round trip
- 690 m (2260 ft) elevation gain
- Note: The trail to Lake Agnes is busy and shares parts of the trail with horseback riding trips. Go early to beat the crowds.
Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake is another jewel of the Canadian Rockies. Thanks to its position on the west side of the Great Divide in Yoho National Park, Emerald yields up four very different environments: a huge avalanche path, a typical west-slope forest, a dry and dramatic alluvial fan, and the towering trees of a coastal rainforest.
Combine a hike here with a visit to Takakkaw Falls, the other beauty spot in Yoho.
Easy half day guided walk
- 4.5 km (2.75 mi) return trip
- No elevation gain
- Note: The trail quality declines on the east, “wet” side of the lake.
Consolation Lake
This pretty and short trail seems to capture young kids’ imaginations. It begins at one exquisite mountain lake — Moraine — and ends at another — Consolation. The forest in between is filled with a magical miniature world of lichens, mushrooms, moss-covered logs, grouseberry and maybe even… grouse!
Easy half day guided hike
- 6 km (4 mi) return trip
- 65 m (215 ft) elevation gain
- Current park regulations may require a group size of 4 or more people on this trail due to grizzly bear activity.
Availability and booking
Go to our availability calendar to see open dates and find our booking form.
