Banff, Alberta

Getting There From Highway 1, Take Highway 40 South to Kananaskis Lakes Trail, and turn left at Upper Kananaskis Lakes Drive. The Trail The trail to Rawson Lake starts at the end of the "Day Use Area" at Upper Kananaskis Lake. The lake gently laps the shoreline to the right and moss carpets the...

A long day hike or perfect backpack trip, this alpine lake surrounded by high peaks, starts out relatively easy from the upper Kananaskis Lake parking lot, at the far end of the south side of the lake, with a short tour around the east side of Hidden Lake, you start, what at some points will seem...

This short 1.2 mile hike leads you through a relatively level forest to a spot on the Kicking Horse River where the water crashes off a river-wide cliff, producing almost a guaranteed rainbow at the bottom. The trail starts at the Wapta Falls Trailhead, which is a short drive off the Trans Canadi...

The trailhead is accessed at the Takakkaw Falls parking lot, and then you walk to the Whiskey Jack Hostel where the trail officially begins (you can not park here unless you are a guest). The well marked trail then begins its very steep ascent through the forest where you will catch glimpses of ...

An 18 km hike with approx 300 m elevation gain, with good variety, several waterfalls, Twin Falls themselves, Twin Falls Tea House (especially if it's open), a walk through a rock field with great views, a dried up lake bed. Start at the Takakkaw Falls parking lot and follow the well marked trai...

Takakkaw is the third highest waterfall in Canada. Mountain vistas, rushing glacial fed rivers, and waterfalls galore make Yoho a prime destination. This is the nicest drive-to campground around, and with little effort you have a semi-backcountry experience that is accessible to everyone.Take the...

This powerful waterfall is unquestionably, one of Canada's largest and most magnificent waterfalls. It falls at around a whopping 381 meters over the sheer cliff of the beautiful Canadian Rockies. The word 'Takakkaw' loosely translates from the language of 'Cree,' into the English phrase, "it is ...

The Mosquito creek trailhead is on the east side of the Icefield parkway road just across from the Mosquito Creek Hostel. You park in front of the hostel, and hop across the road to begin the trek.The trail winds up the Mosquito Valley, occasionally popping into a clearing where you get good view...

Hamilton Falls trail sign is across the parking lot from Emerald Lake and points you in the direction of the trail. The trail will start with a gentle incline which immediately places you into a lush forest as the noise of tourism begins to fade. Approximately 0.4 miles up the trail, you will rea...

Emerald Lake is without a doubt one of the most beautiful lakes in the Canadian Rockies and is the jewel (see what I did there...) of Yoho National Park. The circuit surrounding the lake allows great opportunities for pictures and views from all sides.Getting there: Just west of Field, BC turn of...

Beat the crowd at Moraine Lake and paddle Emerald Lake instead! This lake is a must for any Banff/Yoho explorer. It's an easy drive off HWY 1 but stop at the Natural Bridge along the way. There's a restaurant, Cilantro, inside the lodge with a patio along the shore. Canoe rentals are around $90 ...

The hike starts at 2206 meters elevation Highwood Pass, and takes you through beautiful Pocaterra Cirque up to the peak of Grizzly ridge at 2767 meters, an impressive altitude to attain with only a 561 meter climb.Park at the parking lot at Highwood Pass, and follow the interpretive trail to a s...

Ptarmigan Cirque is a great beginner hike in Highwood Pass. Take Hwy. 40 approximately 50 km's from Hwy. 1. You will find the trail head at the Highwood Pass Day Use Area. This interpretive trail heads north along the road for about 100 meters and then crosses the highway. The trail is easy to na...

Mount Rae has given me the slip a couple times before, so I opted to take it on solo in the hopes of getting a successful attempt in. Damn, this is a good one.Park at the Highwood Pass parking lot, and start off on the Ptarmigan Cirque Trail. Forested until you get to the cirque, check beforehand...

During the fall I find the biggest treat is the changing of the larch trees and the beautiful contrast they provide against the landscape with their intense golden yellow colors. One of the best places to experience this is Pocaterra Ridge, located in the Highwood Pass of the Kananaskis region in...

Start at the Pocaterra/Highwood pass parking lot. The pond is about 1.5km directly west from the parking lot, but the trail head is not always obvious, especially if there is snow. Keep an eye out for the flagging tape that marks the trail. Consider bringing snowshoes in November.This makes for ...