From mountain escapades, lakes so pristine it's hard to believe they’re real and ever-in leaf larch forests, Canada’s world-renowned Rockies are what dreams are made of. Lake Louise and Moraine Lake make for the ultimate start lines for many of the best hikes in the Rockies (it’s always good to have an Instagram-worthy backdrop) but really these hikes speak for themselves in terms of beauty. From the constant creaking of distant glaciers to the smell of rainbow-hued wildflowers drifting by on the breeze, hikes in the Rockies are truly like nowhere else on Earth. Here is our list of some of the best hikes in the Rockies…
Plain of Six Glaciers Trail
You’ll spot Lake Louise’s aquamarine waters from a mile off, and whether this is your first or 100th time seeing them, they never fail to amaze. The crystalline glow of the glassy lake is what makes it an Instagrammer’s dream and top tourist destination. This iconic hike takes you past the hoards and up into the hills, continuing up to the Six Glaciers themselves and supplying some of the best views in Banff—it is no wonder this is one of the best hikes in the Rockies. Wander around the shoreline, surrounded by an amphitheatre of craggy peels and snow-dusted slopes, all the while listening out for the grumbling sound of ice cracking in the ever-moving glaciers. Continue on the boardwalk, past gushing streams and through pine-blanketed gorges, past heart-stopping drop offs and over narrow rocky ridges, keeping your eyes peeled for rare Rocky Mountain goats along the way. The trail is nine miles long, so stop along the way on the many benches dotted along the way, being sure to glance back at Lake Louise glistening in the valley below. When back at Lake Louise’s milky-blue waters, put your feet up at the imposing Chateau Lake Louise and tuck into a tasty afternoon tea.
Larch Valley
Yet another of the best hikes in the Rockies begins by a stunning stretch of electric-blue water, this time at Moraine Lake, which sits snugly under Banff’s towering mountains. As the trail’s name suggests, it winds its way up from the water’s edge, through a dense, golden-hued larch forest (even out of larch season). For many, the Larch Valley hike ends when they reach the mirror-clear Minnestimma Lakes, but the Sentinel Pass is an adrenaline-fuelled extension of this screensaver-level scenery-filled hike. The path looks like a lightning bolt, zigging and zagging its way up the hillside. As you ascend, a mesmerising panorama of ancient glaciers, towering peaks and nature's symphony echoes through the valleys. Take in the clench-fisted silhouettes of the Valley of the Ten Peaks punching the horizon as you continue along the seven-mile trail. Moraine Lake Lodge makes for a delicious dinner spot after a long day in the mountains, overlooking the ‘Jewel of the Rockies’.
Beehive Trails
As one of the most beloved hikes in Banff National Park, the Big Beehive Trail combines impressive views out over Lake Louise’s bluer-than-blue waters with a stop at the historic Lake Agnes Teahouse or at one of Banff’s thundering waterfalls. The six-mile loop encompasses Big Beehive, and Little Beehive is a lovely addition at just under a mile long. Meander along vertiginous mountain passes through towering forests, catch glimpses of elusive wildlife and ascend to lofty heights, where the landscape transforms into a craggy wonderland. From high above, gaze upon the enchanting hues of Lake Louise, embraced by emerald waters and encircled by the monochrome tones of the Ten Peaks.
Iceline Trail
This one’s a big one. Twelve-and-a-half miles of ups and downs make up the Iceline Trail in Yoho National Park, British Colombia. It takes you on a captivating adventure, where emerald glaciers cascade and creak from towering peaks, waterfalls gush with untamed energy and alpine meadows bloom in a riot of colours. Lose yourself in the symphony of nature's wonders as you traverse this challenging yet rewarding path. It is thought of as one of the best hikes in the Rockies for a full day trip, especially as almost everywhere you look, there is a different glacier peeking from the top of every rugged summit.
Mount Assiniboine
Mount Assiniboine’s lung-busting inclines are covered in a tangle of trails and a filigree of walking routes, all leading to the mountain’s mighty peak. Set your sights on the crown jewel of Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park. The seemingly endless trails lure you to uncover a realm of pristine beauty, where turquoise lakes mirror the heavens, lush alpine landscapes whisper tales of serenity and the alpenglow illuminates the grandeur of the ‘Matterhorn of the Rockies’. It’s too difficult to narrow down to just one great trail, so we would argue that all the trails that lead to Mount Assiniboine’s wind-chiselled mountaintop come together to become the best hikes in the Rockies.
Written by Immy Kelly