Canadian Rockies
Classic Hiking Tour

Hike and Raft in Banff and Yoho National Parks

Few areas can match the sheer spectacle of the Canadian Rockies. Our creative itinerary features this region's renowned sights, as well as the lesser-known treasures that make The World Outdoors' trips so special. Each day highlights a unique facet of this alpine wonderland, blending the best of Canada's Banff and Yoho National Parks. Experience the alpine tundra, pristine meadows, blue glacial ice, magnificent wilderness, and thrilling whitewater.

Day 1 Sunshine Meadows. We open our adventure with a hike among the alpine lakes and fields of wildflowers in Sunshine Meadows. A circuit around Rock Isle, Laryx and Grizzly Lakes precedes a climb to the platform on Standish Ridge for 360-degree views before concluding with a stroll through Twin Cairns Meadow. Mt. Assiniboine, "the Matterhorn of the Canadian Rockies", forms the backdrop for our hike.

Day 2 Lake Louise and Fairview Mountain. We climb steadily from the Lake Louise boathouse up the lower slopes of Fairview Mountain through a forest of Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir before reaching the flower-filled meadow. For stronger hikers, continue to the 9000-foot summit of Fairview for stupendous views of Lake Louise and its surrounding cirque.

Day 3 Moraine Lake and Larch Valley/Sentinel Pass. Considered by many to be one of the finest hikes in the Canadian Rockies, today's outing takes us from the shores of incredibly turquoise Moraine Lake into stunning Larch Valley and on up to Sentinel Pass. Look across the Valley of the Ten Peaks at the Wenkchemna Range, dominated by ice-draped Mount Fay. There is time following our hike for paddling a canoe on the lake's calm waters.

Days 4-5 Helen Lake and Yoho National Park. Ascend through mountain meadows ablaze with colorful wildflowers to Helen Lake, nestled in a spectacular natural amphitheater. The next day from 1000-foot high Takakkaw Falls we climb through a forest of subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce along the remarkable Iceline Trail for glacier views. Then venture on to Yoho Lake and over Yoho Pass to finish on the shores of incredible Emerald Lake.

Day 6 C Level Cirque in Banff National Park. This hike climbs past artifacts of a long defunct coal operation and a panoramic viewpoint of Lake Minnewanka to a high rockbound pocket beneath the sheer east face of Cascade Mountain. Just before reaching the cirque, views open down the Bow Valley to Mount Rundle, the Three Sisters and the town of Canmore.