The Rocky Mountains in Canada are a dream for hiking.
For a month I was able to hike every day in five different national parks in these beautiful mountains.
In one month I walked about 500 kilometers on 30 tours in my hiking boots.
The Canadian Rockies cover 2.5 million hectares in the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia and include four national parks and three provincial parks . There is plenty of space and endless hiking opportunities. It's hard to choose... but here are my five favorite routes:
1.Skyline, Jasper
15 hours 44.8 km, 1,320 m up, 1,860 m down
Three-day panoramic hike in Jasper National Park - the Skyline is one of the most popular trails in Canada
The skyline runs above the tree line most of the time - the panorama is gigantic!
At almost 25 km above the tree line, the Skyline Trail is the highest and probably most scenic hike in Jasper National Park (and therefore quickly booked out) and one of the most beautiful in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
All the information you need for this hike including GPS data can be found here:
2. Iceline, Yoho National Park
6:15 hours 17.1 km, 720 m up + down
The Iceline hike in Yoho National Park in Canada is a dream tour with lake, mountain and glacier panoramas and is almost an insider tip.
Yoho National Park in British Columbia is (apart from Emerald Lake) much quieter and more relaxed than its famous neighbour in Banff. Nevertheless, it offers one of the most beautiful hikes in the Canadian Rocky Mountains with the Iceline Trail.
A night at the campsite at Takkakaw Waterfalls makes this tour an absolute highlight!
The Takkakaw Waterfalls is the second highest waterfall in Canada. It is fed by the meltwater of the Daly Glacier , which is part of the Waputik Icefields, which also includes seven other glaciers. There is enough ice for the iceline. The path mostly runs above the tree line and offers a clear view of glaciers, lakes, waterfalls and mountains.
All the information you need for this hike including GPS data can be found here:
3. Hike to the summit "Onion", Bow Lake Banff
6:15 hours 17.2 km, 765 m up, 763 m down
This hike to the summit of "The Onion" in Banff NP in Canada has everything that makes a top tour: a clear lake, waterfalls, climbing spots and a summit with a dream view
I feel like I'm in a dream as I stand above the glaciers of the Wapta Icefields.
Such high mountains, so many glaciers, so many blue lakes. The hike up the "Onion" in the Rocky Mountains of Canada is spectacular. However, it should only be undertaken by experienced mountaineers. Several raging streams have to be crossed, which is not without danger, especially on warm days when the meltwater from the glaciers makes the rivers deeper. The climb from the Bow Hut to the summit at 2,660 m requires good orientation and the ability to master several climbing sections.
All the information you need for this hike including GPS data can be found here:
4. Hike from Lake Moraine over Sentinel Pass to Lake Louise
8 hours 22km, 966m up, 1,091m down
Insider tip for a hike in Canada's most famous national park, Banff
The view from Sentinel Pass into Paradise Valley is worth every effort
The hike from Lake Moraine over the Sentinel Pass to Lake Louise in Canada is full of highlights: after Lake Moraine, the trail continues steeply up to Sentinel Pass (highlight). The rock formations here are simply spectacular. But watch out for falling rocks. The rock is not very solid. By the time you descend into Paradise Valley, you have left the other hikers behind. This path is rarely used. Once you arrive in the valley, it is worth taking a detour to the Giant Steps waterfall , another highlight. Highlight Lake Annette awaits further down in Paradise Valley (of course a highlight). The hike ends at the famous highlight Lake Louise.
All the information you need for this hike including GPS data can be found here:
5. Abbot Ridge hike in Glacier National Park
7:15 hours 16.9 km, 1,247 up, 1,240 down
An absolutely top tour for fit hikers.
Glacier National Park is wild, wild nature, wild landscape, wild weather...
... As soon as you climb above the tree line, all you see are huge glaciers and boulders that look as if giants had been playing stone throwing, dominoes or wooden blocks. This wildness is underlined by the fact that there is relatively little going on.
Even in the peak hiking season at the end of June, I have the trail to myself most of the time.
Perhaps it is also because the hike to Abbot Ridge in Glacier National Park, Canada, is quite demanding. 1100 meters of elevation, most of it steeply uphill, snow fields that have to be crossed on steep slopes, and small climbing passages, depending on how far you venture on the Abbot Ridge. And all of this on a distance of 16 kilometers.
All the information you need for this hike including GPS data can be found here:
INFO
All information on the Parks Canada website is available in English and French.
In my blog post " Plan your adventure in Canada " you will find tips on reserving campsites, what to look out for when hiking and a packing list
You can find my 5 favourite accommodations in Western Canada here .
GETTING THERE
There are several scheduled flights from Germany to Vancouver or Calgary every day. An electronic travel document (eTa) is required to enter Canada.
The easiest way to continue your journey is by rental car, e.g. via www.billiger-mietwagen.de
BEST TIME
The best time to hike in the Rocky Mountains is from early July to September. Depending on the altitude, however, you can expect snow even in summer.
LITERATURE