Epic Travel → North America → Canada → Banff National Park → Johnston Canyon

Location: Banff area, Banff National Park, Alberta

Distance: 5 km roundtrip (to visit both Upper and Lower Falls)

Elevation Gain/Loss: 100 metres

Time Required: 1 – 1.5 hours

Red Tape/Notes: Entry into Banff requires a daily fee of about $10 per person (or ~$20 per family/group). A map of the trail to Upper Falls can be found online here. It’s often suggested that you need ice cleats for this hike in the winter, but we haven’t found that you really need them. It’s easy enough to rent some in town, though, and you could carry them as an option. If you’re interested in ice climbing, you can book a half or a whole day of climbing through Banff Adventures or Yamnuska. If you have a bit more time, Yamnuska also offers a number of 2 day courses – whether you’re a beginner or you’re looking to expand to leading multi-pitch routes.

What’s Nearby?: Ink Pots, Lake Louise, Grotto Canyon, Bow Falls, Fairmont Banff Springs

Johnston Canyon is a must-do hike in Banff National Park, and while it’s often busy, if you go early you can avoid feeling like you’re on a busy thoroughfare. Even when it’s busy, this hike is still worth it – as the canyon narrows, the trail transitions to suspended metal walkways set in the canyon walls, offering beautiful views of the canyon and river below. The powerful Lower Falls can be viewed from a bridge crossing the river and from a different angle, by passing through a cool little cave/tunnel. The Upper Falls are much wider and taller than the Lower Falls and they freeze over in the winter, providing the opportunity for some great ice climbing and making the canyon look rather like a frosted cake. Who doesn’t like cake??

Epic Travel → North America → Canada → Banff National Park → Johnston Canyon