Top 10 Beginner Hikes in the Canadian Rockies
New to hiking? Heading to the Canadian Rockies? Want to get out there and get some incredible views but don’t know where to start? Well this blog is for you!
Visiting the Canadian Rockies as a beginner hiker can be a little intimidating. The trails have a reputation for being steep and technical with mountains shooting straight up into the sky.
However don’t fear there are some great trails in the area that will give you some fantastic views and an unforgettable day out whilst still being manageable for first timers.
Elevation Vs Distance
The hikes in the list below do get increasingly more difficult but if you take your time and know your limits I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t tick any of these off during a first time trip.
One thing to take note of is the elevation gain and distance. A longer distance with little elevation gain can make for an easier hike than something that’s short and steep - it’s the elevation gain that tends to get people!
1) Johnson Lake Loop - Banff
Distance: 3 km Elevation Gain: 60 m Time: 1 Hour
Reflections in Johnson Lake.
This trail, close to the town of Banff, is a great walk to warm up the legs and start your hiking career! This 3 km trail has very little elevation gain as you follow around the lake but still gets you views of Rundle mountain and Cascade mountain reflecting in the lake.
Despite it’s easy access and mellow terrain the Johnson Lake loop isn’t heavily trafficked so makes for a peaceful afternoon walk.
To get here take Roam Bus route 6 (operates May to October) from the town of Banff and jump off at Johnson Lake.
You can check out the trail map here on All Trails.
2) Johnston Canyon - Banff
Distance: 5.5 km Elevation Gain: 150 m Time: 1.5 - 2.5 hours
Upper Falls at Johnston Canyon
Johnston Canyon has to be one of the most popular hikes in Banff national park and one that’s tackled by hikers of all ages and abilities.
The trail starts at the Johnston Canyon car park off the Bow Valley Parkway around a 20 - 30 minute drive from Banff.
The trail is popular in both winter and summer with the colder months bringing less crowds and frozen waterfalls along with slippery ground underfoot, don’t forget the mircro-spikes! In summer you’ll get to witness the waterfalls in full flow.
The elevation gain increases a little compared to Johnson Lake but isn’t anything notable and there are plenty of turn around points if you don’t fancy going all the way to the upper falls.
3) Sundance Canyon - Banff
Distance: 9 km Elevation Gain: 180 m Time: 2.5 - 3 hours
Enjoying the views at the start of the Sundance Canyon loop
The Sundance Canyon trail sits just outside the centre of the town of Banff. Tucked along side the Bow River this hike offers some great opportunity for wildlife spotting as well as the option to turn it in to a multi sport activity with the first couple of kms being on a paved path perfect for cycling or strollers making it family friendly too!
Even though 9 km is a fair distance for a first time hike the minimal elevation gain makes the distance easy to cover.
You can check out the trail map here on All Trails.
4) Grassi Lakes - Canmore
Distance: 3.5 km Elevation Gain: 150 m Time: 1 - 1.5 hours
The Grassi Lakes trail has to be Canmore’s most popular hike for first timers. The trail is heavily frequented by tourists and locals due to it’s easy access close to town and the amazing effort to reward ratio this hike offers.
Your destination on this hike is of course Grassi Lakes itself, a beautiful deep turqouise lake, a colour that is synonymous with this part of the Rockies, and the towering head wall of Ha Ling Peak.
This trail includes a similar amount of elevation gain as the previous hikes but over a much shorter distance so will certainly feel steeper. The trail is however well maintained and wide making it easily navigable and very much worth it.
The trail starts at the Grassi Lakes Parking lot on the outskirts of Canmore. The lot is a decent size but will often fill up on a bust summers day.
5) Tunnel Mountain - Banff
Distance: 4.5 km Elevation Gain: 270 m Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
Sunset from Tunnel Mountain
It’s hard to visit Banff without hearing about the Tunnel Mountain trail. It’s used by locals as an early season training hike or tourists to get sweeping vista views across the town and Bow Valley.
The trail is easily accessible from the town of Banff with options to extend your adventure and walk straight from your hotel door.
This hike is the first in the list where the elevation gain will definitely be noticeable and feel relatively continuous as you’ll cover just 2.25 km on the way up but also tackle that 270 m of gain.
Given the trail is wide, well maintained and popular I don’t think even first time hikers would struggle to complete this trail as long as you take your time!
You can check out the trail map on All Trails here.
6) Bertha Falls - Waterton
Distance: 5.5 km Elevation Gain: 200m Time: 1.5 to 3 Hours
Bertha Falls on a rainy day
With similar difficulty level to Tunnel mountain hiking to Bertha falls is one of the most popular trails in Waterton National Park. The town of Waterton can get incredibly busy during the summer months but even the shorter easier trails lack the crowds of the town centre.
To get to the falls is a straight forward 5.5 km out and back with a gradual and steady bit of elevation gain. The trail starts towards the end of the townsite campground and can be extended in to a moderate hike if you make the full 12 km out and back up to Bertha Lake and back.
7) Rawson Lake - Kananaskis
Distance: 8 km Elevation Gain: 300 meters Time: 2 to 3 hours
Reflections in Rawson Lake
On the Rawson Lake trail in Kananaskis we up the elevation gain a little whilst also adding in a bit of distance. The nice thing about this trail is that the first 1.5 km are pretty flat as you follow the lake, a great way to warm up the legs.
The elevation gain comes as you cut in land towards the lake so the going gets a little slower. Overall this trail will take most hikers a little longer as the steeper trail will slow most people down. Take your time and don’t give up as the views at the lake are pretty spectacular!
8) Parker Ridge - Jasper
Distance: 5 km Elevation Gain: 200 m Time: 2 Hours
Views from the top of Parker Ridge
Parker ridge is about half way between Lake Louise and the town of Jasper on the Icefields Parkway. This short hike has a fantastic effort to reward ratio with a short amount of hiking getting you some stunning glacial views.
In fact I’d say this is one of the best glacial views you’ll get on the park way with a hike of this length.
The trail is only around 2.5 km each way with 200 m of gain meaning the elevation is short lived but pretty consistent throughout. The grade of the trail is manageable by most and your efforts are most certainly rewarded.
9) Yates Mountain - Kananaskis
Distance: 12 km Elevation Gain: 700 m Time: 4 - 5 hours
The view point on Yates Mountain
Yates Mountain, or Prairie View Trail as it’s also known, is a popular early season hike. Situated at the front end of Kananaskis close to Barrier lake and the highway Yates mountain often becomes snow free before a lot of other hikes in the region.
This hike is definitely pushing in to a longer day but with that 700 m of gain spread over 6 km one way it isn’t too bad - there are also plenty of places to rest and catch your breath along route!
The good news here is that there are a couple of great view points before the summit where you can choose to turn around and call it a day if you feel like your legs aren’t up to it!
10) Ha Ling Peak - Canmore
Distance: 8 km Elevation Gain: 800 m Time: 2.5 to 4 hours
Sunrise views from Ha Ling Peak
Ha Lin Peak is the prominent peak looming over the town of Banff and is definitely the most challenging on this list. With 800 m of elevation gain this is a real introduction in to Canadian Rockies Hiking.
The reason this is on this list though is because in recent years the trail has had a renovation making it more approachable for novice hikers.
Switch backs were added to reduce the grade and stairs and hand rails erected on steeper sections. This has meant that the trail has become even more popular and more manageable and you’ll find walkers of all ages and abilities tackling this trail most weekends.
If you’ve ticked off one or two of the others on this list I’d recommend giving Ha Ling ago, just leave yourself a little extra time for plenty of rests and snack breaks!
Things to know Before You Go
Parks and Conservation Passes: Whether you’re hiking in a national park in Canada or certain provincial parks you’ll most likely need some kind of conservation pass. A Discovery Pass will cover you for the year for all national parks in Canada whilst the Kananaskis Conservation Pass covers the provincial and wildland parks in the Kananaskis region.
Check Trail Conditions Before You Go: Trail conditions in the Rockies can change month to month and year to year. Trails close for wildlife, weather and avalanche hazards. Be sure to double check trail conditions before heading out to avoid any disappointment. You can do so here!
Leave No Trace: When hiking anywhere in the world it’s important that you practice a leave no trace philosophy. This means whatever you hike in to a trail or campground you have to be able to hike out too. There won’t be trash cans or waste disposal in the backcountry and you should never throw trash in any out houses or pit toilets. In recent years, as trails and parks become busier, litter is becoming more of a problem. Don’t add to that problem!
Bears and Wildlife! Wild life is everywhere in the Canadian Rockies, even on trails that are close to town. People and animals have been attacked by bears and other wild life on popular trails in the past so don’t take it for granted.
Most wildlife is looking to avoid human contact so no matter what type of wildlife you see be sure to keep your distance. 30 metres is the minimum recommendation for most species but under any circumstance don’t approach wildlife. Even the cuddliest of critters can be dangerous!
So as always be bear aware, make noise, hike in groups, carry bear spray and, if they’re allowed on trail, keep your dog on a leash!
Offline maps knowing where you’re going is super important as to not get lost. I recommend All Trails Plus for finding routes and offline mapping allowing you to safely find your way home.
Interested in other multi-day hikes in the Canadian Rockies or maybe day hikes?
Gear Recommendations For Beginners
After 10 years living in the Canadian Rockies, years working in retail and years reviewing outdoor gear I’ve dialled in my backcountry kit! And on all day hikes there are definitely a few things I always take with me to make my trip safer, easier and more enjoyable.
Merino Socks
Merino socks are a must for any hike. They keep you dryer, warmer and smelling better!
Once you go merino you never go back!
My socks are now 100% Smartwool!
Get them at Smartwool.com
Hiking Poles
Poles are often overlooked by new hikers and seen as unnecessary. However once you use them you’ll never go back! They make you more efficient and take the weight of your knees!
Get it on Backcountry.com
Down Jacket
No matter what the weather I carry a lightweight down jacket. The Arcteryx Cerium is light and very warm! Perfect for keeping you toasty when you take a break or if you were injured and awaiting help.
Get it on REI.com
Comfortable Day Pack
The Osprey Mutant is my favourite day bag. Even though it’s designed more for scrambling or mountaineering this bag is one of the most comfortable bags I own and has enough space for everything I need.
Get it on Backcountry.com
Water Filter
A Katadyn BeFree has to be the easiest filtration system to use. When out on the backcountry you want to be able to filter and refill your water along the way.
This filter packs down small and filters fast. It’s in my bag on every hike!
Get it on Backcountry.com
Capture Clip
Another item that comes on every hike with me and a must own for every photographer.
Keeps your camera close at hand making capturing moments much faster!
Get it on Peakdesign.com
