Johnston Canyon Icewalk in Banff: Steel Catwalks to Frozen Falls

Walk the frozen canyon on steel catwalks and stand beneath a 30-metre ice tower

Johnston Canyon Icewalk is a guided walk on steel catwalks in Banff National Park where you hike past frozen waterfalls and reach the upper falls, a glittering 30-metre column of ice, while learning how the canyon formed. The tour includes a professional guide, ice cleats, hiking poles, hot chocolate and a maple cookie snack. Groups stay under 12 people, and children from age 8 are welcome with an adult.

The experience

What makes Johnston Canyon worth the winter trip? The canyon walls themselves become the path. Steel catwalks bolted into the rock let you walk right along the frozen falls without scrambling or roping in. You're on a built trail the whole way, just one that happens to run through a gorge of ice. The walk covers 3.4 miles round trip with 443 feet of elevation gain, taking about 2 to 2.5 hours of actual hiking time across the 4-hour outing. A guide leads groups of up to 12, so you're never alone on the catwalks, and the pace stays moderate enough that anyone with basic fitness can manage it.

The route passes the lower falls first (you'll walk through a natural cave carved into the canyon to look down at the frozen water below), then climbs to the upper falls, where the real sight opens up. That 30-metre tower of ice is the tour highlight, and on many days you'll see ice climbers scaling the frozen columns while you stand on the upper deck looking across at them. The guide points out the geology as you go (how the water shaped the canyon, what the ice formations tell you about the winter freeze), so the landscape reads as something more than a backdrop.

You'll wear ice cleats over your boots (provided) and carry a hiking pole for balance on the frozen sections. Dress in ski wear (the operator sends a detailed packing list with your voucher), and bring warm layers because you're in a canyon with wind and shade. Hot chocolate and a maple cookie wait at the end, a small thing that matters after a morning in the cold. Public transit reaches the trailhead, so you don't need a rental car to get there.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English.
• ice cleats and hiking poles.
• hot chocolate and a maple cookie snack.
• small group of up to 12 people per guide.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30 and 13:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (8 to 12 years) · Under 8: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 12 · max 9 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Discover Banff Tours

Is this one for you?The walk takes 2 to 2.5 hours of steady hiking on the catwalks, so you need moderate fitness and comfort with heights: the airy views into the gorge below are part of the experience, not something you can avoid. This tour stays on the trail and doesn't involve climbing the ice itself, which keeps the risk low but also means you're watching the ice climbers rather than becoming one.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 12 years). Under 8: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How steep is the hike to the upper falls?

The elevation gain is 443 feet over the 3.4-mile round trip, spread across the 2 to 2.5 hours of walking time. The steel catwalks keep the footing secure, but the climb is steady and a moderate level of fitness helps you enjoy the walk without strain.

What's the difference between the lower and upper falls?

The lower falls are where you walk through a natural cave and look down at the frozen water from inside the canyon. The upper falls are a 30-metre tower of ice that rises above you on the upper deck: the taller, more dramatic formation and the tour highlight.

Do I need my own ice cleats and hiking poles?

No. Ice cleats and hiking poles are included with the tour and fitted to your boots before you start. The guide also provides instruction on how to use them safely on the frozen sections.

What happens if the weather is too dangerous?

If safety conditions deteriorate in cold weather, the operator may cancel the tour and offer you a refund or a reschedule for another date or time. You'll know before the tour starts whether it's going ahead.

Is there a guide, or is this self-guided?

A professional guide leads the walk in English and stays with the group the entire time. Groups are kept to 12 people or fewer, so the guide can watch the catwalks and answer questions about the canyon and the ice formations.