Banff to Yoho Walking & Hiking Tour
Banff to Yoho Walking & Hiking Tour
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 2-4
Premiere Hotels
2025: Jun-Sep2026: Jun-Sep
Soaring Peaks & Emerald Lakes of Banff, Lake Louise & Yoho National Park
Think back to the staggering sight of Plain of Six Glaciers. The thunder of Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park. Remember the meadows alive with wildflowers. The iridescent blue-green hues of Banff National Park's Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. In those brief seconds before you go back to real life, you'll realize your Canadian Rockies hiking tour experience never really ends.
Highlights
- Journey through three of Canada’s national parks, renowned for their pristine environments and dramatic landscapes
- Hike along mountain trails as you admire lush evergreen forests, alpine meadows and towering peaks
- See mountain reflections on the aquamarine Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, then hike to famous Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse
- Look for mountain goats, pikas and marmots among the diverse mountain wildlife—perhaps come face-to-face with one of them!
Start/End Banff
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Days 1-2
Travel from Banff to Kootenay National Park, crossing a vast wildfire burn area where hardy pink fireweed and yellow columbine herald signs of new growth • Hike into a hanging valley for a view of Stanley Glacier • A forest trail carpeted with buttercups and bunchberry takes you to milky blue Sherbrooke Lake, the largest backcountry glacial lake in Yoho National Park • Hike to Paget Lookout for sublime views of pristine glaciers and soaring peaks.
Nights 1-2
Experience warm hospitality in these rustic yet refined log cabins surrounded by stunning mountain scenery along the shore of glacier-fed Kicking Horse River.
Day 3
Walk through evergreen forests and blooming meadows to sensational views of the Daly Glacier and Yoho Valley • Standing in awe before Canada’s second-highest waterfall, it all makes sense—Takakkaw is Cree for "it is magnificent" • Walk along the shore of aptly named Emerald Lake.
Night 3
A secluded turn-of-the-century lodge, built of hand-hewn timber and featuring simple cabins nestled in the woods above a spectacular tree-rimmed glacial lake.
Days 4-6
Hike to one of Banff National Park’s most stunning alpine pastures, alive with wildflowers and wildlife • Soak up views of the glistening Crowfoot Glacier and beautiful Helen Lake • Come evening, relax at our elegant hotel • Admire the jewel-like colors of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake • Switchbacks lead to breathtaking Larch Valley and views of the Ten Peaks • Commune with mountain goats, pikas and Clark’s nutcrackers • Hike the classic route from world-renowned Lake Louise to the historic Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse.
Nights 4-5
This European-style mountain chalet, set on the Pipestone and Bow Rivers, is the epitome of old-world elegance. A Relais & Châteaux member. Travel + Leisure World’s Best. (pool, spa)
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
This trip includes the historic Emerald Lake Lodge, where guest rooms are clean and comfortable, but simpler than the typical Backroads standard. We’ve chosen this property because of its proximity to our favorite routes and the fantastic setting. Please note that the guest rooms are not equipped with televisions or air-conditioning. Also, while Cathedral Mountain Lodge and the Post Hotel & Spa are Premiere Hotels and offer outstanding service and amenities, please note they are not equipped with air-conditioning. Despite the region's cooler mountain climate, guestrooms can occasionally become warm during peak temperatures.
Hotels
World-Class Hotels
Our hand-selected Premiere hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Nights 1-2
Premiere Hotel
Experience warm hospitality in these rustic yet refined log cabins surrounded by stunning mountain scenery along the shore of glacier-fed Kicking Horse River.
Night 3
*Casual Hotel
A secluded turn-of-the-century lodge, built of hand-hewn timber and featuring simple cabins nestled in the woods above a spectacular tree-rimmed glacial lake.
Nights 4-5
Premiere Hotel
This European-style mountain chalet, set on the Pipestone and Bow Rivers, is the epitome of old-world elegance. A Relais & Châteaux member. Travel + Leisure World’s Best. (pool, spa)
Gallery
#MyBackroadsTrip
Review Snapshot
by PowerReviews
Reviewed by 74 customers
Another Fantastic Backroads Experience!
This was my second Backroads trip and it was outstanding! The Canadian Rockies are gorgeous and really must be seen in person to appreciate. Our leaders Kat, Priscilla, and Maia were phenomenal to spend the week with and managed all the logistics of the trip seamlessly. The hikes were beautiful and invigorating, thoughtfully organized to allow those of us who needed to acclimate the time to do so. We had a great group of like-minded active adventurers on the trip, which really enhanced my experience. Backroads does such a great job and they are a pleasure to travel with. I've already booked my next hiking adventure with them in New Zealand.
Exceptional trip and curation by Backroads
Even with the challenges of poor weather and a covid outbreak, the trip and the leaders were exceptional and what will be remembered, we'd do it all over again!
Amazing trip, great leaders, fun and friendly group.
Our hiking trip provided access to amazing views of the Canadian Rockies and beautiful lakes. Our leaders made the overall experience a "10".
Trip of a lifetime
Our leaders were amazing! We made new friends. I will definitely make another trip with Backroads
Bar set extremely high
This was our first Backroads adventure and it won't be our last. From beginning to end the trip was beyond expectations. The leaders were incredible and very accommodating. The hotels, the hiking and scenery and food were all perfect.
Excellent trip all-around!
This trip was my second with Backroads and I continue to be impressed at how amazing the Backroads leaders are! Our leaders on this trip (Jami-Lynn, Rye, and Tao) were all amazing, fun, and so helpful. They were incredibly thoughtful and provided so much added history/background/information to the trip that you could not have gotten elsewhere. The hiking on this trip was strenuous (did you know the Canadian Rockies are steep?!), but the guides did a great job at getting everyone who wanted to do each level of hike through to the end.
Stunning region and such a fun trip!
Without a doubt one of the best travel experiences I've had. The trip leaders were incredible and went above and beyond for our group (thank you Tarryn, Emily and Maia!), and the landscape was beautiful. Each hike brought something new, and its clear that the Backroads staff has deep knowledge of, and passion for, the canadian rockies.
Trip of a lifetime
Every aspect of this trip exceeded our expectations! The views from all of the hikes were breathtaking. The lakes were more impressive in person than we could have ever imagined. All the food in the trip was outstanding! But most importantly, our leaders (Emily, Tarryn and Maia) made this trip unforgettable! They were all so fun, energetic and knowledgeable, and they made this trip so seamless and enjoyable! We can't wait to plan our next Backroads trip.
I've been many places but this had my alltime favorite hike!
Amazing hiking, I can't recommend this trip enough. The views are spectacular and I had the pleasure of hiking with some great people. They are great about giving multiple hiking options, and while some are pretty vigorous, I was grateful for an easier hike one day. The hotels (and the food) are great too! The hike to Minnestima Lake, getting above the snow line, towards Summit Pass, from Moraine Lake was truly phenomenal! I've hiked Denali, Zion, Yosemite, Yellowstone, etc and that was the coolest hike I've ever done. :)
Stunning scenery everyday
Our leaders Liv, Gabby and Anna, were fun and enthusiastic. They were well prepared to cope with all the different personalities that were in our group. They were constantly checking in with other Backroads leaders on the condoms of the talks we were going on. The scenery was breathtaking on every trail we hiked. Most of the hikes were moderate in difficulty but we had one that really tested me. I was considering giving up and turning back but Liv was very patient and encouraging so I made it to the top and I am so glad I did. The view was incredible with snow all around us. The lunches and snacks really were a highlight even though they were simple.
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
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