Step into a landscape carved by ancient glaciers, where electric-blue lakes, jagged alpine peaks, and wildflower-lined trails create the backdrop for every moment. This adventure brings you into the heart of Banff, Jasper, and Kootenay National Parks along with Kananaskis country, pairing iconic routes like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake with lesser-known local favourites far from the crowds.
Across four immersive hiking days, you and your small group will trace ridge lines, wander through silent forests, and pause at viewpoints that feel almost unreal. Our expert guide selects the best trail each day based on weather and conditions, ensuring you always experience the Rockies at their finest. With private transport, flexible pacing, and the camaraderie of likeminded travellers, this is the perfect blend of adventure, comfort, and connection.
Duration: 6 days | 5 nights
Tour Starts & Ends: Banff, Canada
Accommodation Style: Our favourite 3-4 star hotel in Banff or Canmore.
Activity Level: Moderate – Ideal for travellers who love hiking and adventure without forgetting comfort. Guests should be comfortable hiking 10km (6 miles) with 600m (2000 ft) of elevation gain.
Availability: Limited departures from June to September for optimal trail conditions.
Trip Type: Small Group (max 12 travellers). 6:1 guide to guest ratio.
Age Requirement: 14+ (all travellers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult)
Daily moderate hikes (3–4 hours, ≤600 m gain) through iconic and lesser-known alpine landscapes
Sunrise at Moraine Lake, one of the most sought-after and unforgettable views in the Rockies
Hike in the mountains overlooking Lake Louise, with sweeping glacier and lake vistas
Hidden-gem hiking in Kananaskis, away from the crowds
Hiking along the Icefields Parkway, with panoramic glacier views
Alpine wildflowers and wide-open vistas at Sunshine Meadows, accessed by gondola and chairlift
Small-group experience (6–12 guests) with a knowledgeable local guide
Flexible routing, with all hikes adaptable based on trail conditions, permits, and weather
The perfect blend of bucket-list locations and quieter, authentic alpine wilderness
✓ Premium Accommodation: Twin Share in our favourite 3 star hotel in Banff or Canmore.
✓ Local Meals: Daily breakfast, several picnic lunches, and a few dinners (as detailed in the itinerary).
✓ Hikes and Sightseeing: Daily hikes and sightseeing to the most iconic places in the Canadian Rockies.
✓ Entrances: Gondola tickets and exclusive access to our favourite spots.
✓ Upscale, air-conditioned minibus or high-roof van for maximum comfort.
✓ Your guide knows the region like no one else and is eager to share their stories with you.
✓
✕ Flights: Radventures cannot make your flight bookings for you.
✕ Airport Transfers: Shuttle or Private transfers are available for purchase.
✕ Beverages: Drinks (both soft and alcoholic) are at your own expense.
✕ Gratuities: Optional but encouraged for great service by your guide.
✕ Travel Insurance: Strongly recommended and available for purchase.
In the evening, gather with your group for a welcome dinner and orientation with your guide. This is the perfect opportunity to meet fellow travellers, set expectations for the week ahead, and get a sense of the landscapes you will explore. As the sun sets behind the surrounding mountains, anticipate the wild beauty and crisp alpine air that will define your journey.
Overnight: Banff or Canmore
Meals: Dinner
We venture into the quieter valleys of Kananaskis Country for today’s hike – an area known for its open alpine meadows, reflective lakes, and rugged peaks that feel worlds away from the busier Banff trails. Our likely destination is Picklejar Lakes (10km/6mi, 600m/2000ft elevation gain) with mountain views, serene alpine lakes, and the chance to experience one of the Rockies’ most peaceful corners.
After our time on the trail, we round out the day with a unique local experience in the Kananaskis region. Depending on seasonal availability and conditions, this may include relaxing at a cozy mountain lodge with scenic views and refreshments, or visiting a character-filled ranch for a warm Western welcome. Both options offer an inviting place to unwind, enjoy regional hospitality, and connect with your fellow travellers after a rewarding hike.
Please note that access roads in this area can be rough and winding. Travellers prone to motion sickness may wish to take precautions or speak with us about alternative activities.
Overnight: Banff or Canmore
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Today, we wind along the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic drives in the world. Our hike today will be a moderate climb of around 400m gain, 3–4 hours of hiking, and some of the most breathtaking high-alpine scenery in the Canadian Rockies. Whether subalpine meadows or unobstructed views down onto the Athabasca Glacier and the vast Columbia Icefield, it’s a perspective few visitors reach on foot. Bighorn sheep are frequently spotted in this area. Trails are well-maintained and suitable for fit hikers comfortable with sustained uphill walking on rocky terrain. Whichever trail we take, expect sweeping glacier vistas, wildflower-dotted meadows, and the kind of open sky that makes you feel very small in the best possible way.
We make stops along the Parkway for showstopping views and hidden gems (and any wildlife, of course!), including a stop at Peyto Lake to take in the striking turquoise waters framed by rugged peaks. Throughout the day, our local guide will share stories about the history, wildlife, and geology of the region.
Overnight: Banff or Canmore
Meals: Breakfast & Packed Lunch
We begin the day by crossing into Kootenay National Park, just over the Continental Divide into British Columbia, for a morning visit to Marble Canyon, one of the Rockies’ most unique short hikes. The trail follows the edge of a narrow, turquoise-water gorge carved through white and grey limestone, crossing a series of bridges above the rushing water far below. It’s an easy 1.6 km (1 mi) return trail.
From there, we make our way back across the divide and up to Sunshine Meadows, accessed via gondola and chairlift from the Sunshine Village base area. Above 2,400 metres, the landscape opens into sweeping alpine terrain – expansive meadows, crystal-clear lakes and panoramic views across the Continental Divide. The lift-accessed area makes it easy for everyone to enjoy true high-alpine scenery without a strenuous ascent, and the wide, gentle trails allow us to pause, take in the peaks, and spot marmots and pikas along the way.
In the late afternoon we return to Banff for a farewell dinner, celebrating the shared experiences and camaraderie of the week. Hiking together through canyons, meadows, and mountain passes has given us shared moments of awe — and the connections that come from exploring the Rockies side by side are ones we’ll carry home.
Overnight: Banff or Canmore
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Then, bid farewell to your new friends – we can’t wait to see everyone again on our next adventure.
Meals: Breakfast
The deposit for this tour is $500 CAD (or equivalent) per person. Your deposit is refundable for 24 hours after booking. After that, there is a $100 per person transfer fee that applies to changes you want to make to your tour (ie. to change the tour date or to choose a different tour). Transfers are possible until the final payment deadline, unless otherwise specified. Of course, if Radventures cannot confirm your tour by the final payment deadline, your deposit can be refunded or transferred to another tour free of charge.
Yes! We would definitely recommend an “All Inclusive” policy that covers you for both medical expenses as well as any trip cancellation or interruptions. You can purchase this from our booking platform, “WeTravel”, or contact us for more information.
At Radventures we pride ourselves on our flexibility. If you wan’t to enjoy more of this beautiful country before and after your time with us, we’d be more than happy to make any arrangements for you. As for being partly involved in a tour, whilst we can’t make any guarantees about whats possible or not, it’s best that you get in touch with us when you’re considering booking a tour or trip with us and let us know how you want things to work so we can see if we can make it work.
This is a tricky one. We don’t know when other people will book, so it’s hard to know if and when the tour will fill up. Our advice is to book as soon as you’ve made the decision to travel, that way you won’t be disappointed. Most of our service providers have a cutoff date of 2-3 months before departure that we need to advise them to release any excess space, and while we may be able to get these services back after the cutoff date it’s definitely safer to book early while we can still guarantee enough space for you.
You’re in great company! We have two options for solo travellers on our tours – you can join our share program to be matched with another rad solo traveller (of the same sex), or you can purchase the single supplement to have your own private room.
Hiking in bear country is safe when you follow established guidelines and travel with an experienced guide. Our guides are trained in wildlife behaviour, park protocols, and safe group management. They choose trails with current bear reports in mind and make decisions that prioritize your safety and comfort at all times.
Your guide will lead the group in standard safety practices, including:
Staying together as a group
Making noise at appropriate intervals
Being alert in areas with limited visibility (dense forest, running water, corners)
Avoiding known feeding areas when necessary
Following all Parks Canada advisories
These simple habits significantly reduce wildlife encounters and help ensure a safe and enjoyable hike.
The Rockies are beautiful year-round, but for hiking, the best time is late spring through early fall. We plan our tours during months when most high-elevation snow has melted and before winter conditions return, giving you the safest and most enjoyable trail experience.
Because mountain weather can change quickly, we keep our daily hike plans flexible. This lets us adapt to conditions on the ground and also take full advantage of seasonal highlights, whether that’s wildflower season (typically June to August) or larch season, when alpine larch trees turn brilliant gold (usually mid-September to early October). Each period offers something uniquely spectacular, and we tailor our hiking choices to what will provide the best experience on any given day.
This trip is designed for travellers with a moderate level of fitness. Most days include hikes of 6-10 km (4-6 mi) or 3-4 hours with gradual elevation gains of up to 600 meters (2000 ft), along well-maintained trails. You don’t need to be an experienced mountaineer, but you should be comfortable walking on uneven terrain, managing some uphill sections, and spending several hours outdoors in a day.
Hiking at this pace allows you to enjoy the scenery, take photos, and fully appreciate the Rockies without feeling rushed. If you’re generally active (walking, cycling, or doing other aerobic activity a few times per week) you’ll likely find the itinerary very manageable. Our guides will always adjust the pace to match the group and provide support where needed, so you can focus on enjoying the adventure rather than worrying about your fitness level.
