Banff to Yoho Hiking & Walking Tour

This trip is best suited for adults who enjoy moderate hikes and longer routes with climbs and descents. It’s ideal for those who want to explore the Canadian Rockies on foot, hiking among glacial lakes, alpine meadows, waterfalls and soaring peaks in Banff, Kootenay and Yoho National Parks.

This is a Level 2–4 Hiking & Walking trip, with shorter options covering roughly 4–6 miles and the longest options reaching around 9 miles, with up to 2,400 feet of elevation gain. A typical day includes multiple flexible route choices—see this trip’s Activity Options & Terrain in the itinerary for day-by-day details or learn more about Backroads’ activity levels.

Hikes follow well-maintained mountain trails through forests, alpine meadows and rocky landscapes. Terrain varies throughout the trip, with a mix of dirt paths, rocks and tree roots as routes lead to glacial lakes, waterfalls and mountain viewpoints.

Altitude ranges from around 4,500 feet in Banff to over 8,000 feet on some hikes, with Lake Louise at approximately 5,500 feet. The higher elevation may be noticeable on some routes, particularly for guests arriving from lower elevations.

The trip explores three national parks—Banff, Kootenay and Yoho—with hikes to glacial lakes, waterfalls, alpine meadows and mountain viewpoints. Highlights include Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Takakkaw Falls, Stanley Glacier and the classic hike to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse.