Banff & Johnston Canyon Tour from Calgary: Sulphur Mountain

Johnston Canyon's limestone catwalks climb higher than most hikers expect.

A full-day guided tour from Calgary to Banff National Park covers Sulphur Mountain (with an optional gondola to the 360° summit viewpoint), Johnston Canyon's waterfall trail, Bow Falls, and the Surprise Corner lookout framing downtown Banff against glacier-carved peaks. The tour runs 9 to 11 hours with an experienced guide speaking English, Chinese or Cantonese; you choose whether to add the Sulphur Mountain gondola at checkout, and free time in downtown Banff lets you arrange lunch on your own schedule. Crampons are provided free for winter departures (November through mid-April), and the national park entry fee is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Banff and Johnston Canyon

• Bus ride from Calgary to Banff
• Optional Sulphur Gondola ride
• Leisure time in downtown Banff
• Hike Johnston Canyon trail
• Visit Surprise Corner lookout
• See Hoodoos rock formations
• Photo stop at Bow Falls
• Bus ride from Banff to Calgary

The Experience

The day starts with a pickup in Calgary or Banff — you choose your departure point when you book — and a bus ride into the park. The first stop is Sulphur Mountain, where the optional gondola carries you to the summit for a 360-degree view across the Banff valley and the surrounding peaks. If you skip the gondola, the tour replaces it with another sightseeing stop (November through April, that's Marble Canyon instead). After that, you have leisure time in downtown Banff to grab lunch, browse the outdoor shops, or simply walk around the town itself.

Johnston Canyon is the centerpiece of the afternoon. The trail follows catwalks bolted into the limestone walls and climbs staircases cut into the cliff face, leading to the Lower and Upper Falls where the creek carves deeper into the gorge. In summer, hundreds of hikers use this trail daily; in winter, crampons are provided free so you can walk the frozen sections safely. Along the way, watch the streamside rocks for dippers — slate-grey water ouzels that bounce and dive in the spray. The walk is popular year-round, and the canyon itself is narrow enough that you're never far from the sound of falling water.

The route also takes in Bow Falls, where you can photograph the rapids tumbling over the ledge (the site was used for filming in the 1960s), and the Surprise Corner lookout, a vantage point above downtown Banff where the Fairmont Springs Hotel and the town frame themselves against the craggy peaks — this is where most of the famous postcard shots come from. You'll also see the Hoodoos, needle-like rock formations left standing after softer sediment erodes away, leaving the harder cap rock perched on top. The return bus ride to Calgary closes out the day.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned coach transport from Calgary or Banff.
• live guide in English, Chinese or Cantonese.
• Banff National Park entry fee.
• traffic accident insurance.
• free crampons for winter departures (November through mid-April).
• Sulphur Mountain gondola (optional, added at checkout).

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Tourland

Is this one for you?Choose the Calgary departure if you're flying in and want a full day in the park without renting a car; choose Banff if you're already staying in town. Skip the gondola if you prefer to spend the time hiking Johnston Canyon or exploring downtown Banff instead — the tour adjusts the itinerary either way.

Traveler reviews

4.32★★★★★★★★★★

151 verified traveler reviews

5 ★99

4 ★25

3 ★13

2 ★4

1 ★10

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can I book the Sulphur Mountain gondola, or is it included automatically?

The Sulphur Mountain gondola is optional and you choose it at checkout when you select your tour option. If you don't add it, the tour includes another sightseeing stop instead, so the day doesn't change — just the specific viewpoint.

What is Johnston Canyon's Lower and Upper Falls trail actually like to walk?

Johnston Canyon's trail runs along catwalks bolted into the limestone canyon walls and includes cliff-mounted staircases that climb toward the gorge's two waterfalls. The trail is open year-round; in winter, free crampons are provided to grip the frozen sections. It's the busiest hiking trail in the Canadian Rockies during summer months.

Do I need to arrange my own lunch, or is it provided?

Free time in downtown Banff is built into the tour so you can arrange lunch yourself at one of the local restaurants or cafes. This gives you flexibility to eat what you want and take as much or as little time as you need.

What's included in the tour price, and what costs extra?

The tour includes the air-conditioned coach, the live guide, national park entry, and traffic accident insurance. The Sulphur Mountain gondola is optional and adds to the price if you choose it at checkout. Lunch and gratuities are your own expense.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not an experienced hiker?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Johnston Canyon's trail is well-maintained and heavily trafficked, with railings along the catwalks and staircases. You set your own pace, and there's no requirement to reach the Upper Falls — you can walk as far as you're comfortable and turn back.

What happens to the tour in winter, or if Sulphur Mountain is closed?

From November through mid-April, the Sulphur Mountain gondola closes for annual maintenance (typically November 6–17), and the tour visits Marble Canyon instead for a 30-minute stop. Free crampons are provided during winter months so you can safely walk the frozen sections of Johnston Canyon.