Grassi Lake and Grotto Canyon hiking tour from Banff

Walk two canyons in one morning, with crampons on frozen waterfalls and turquoise water framed by peaks.

A six to eight hour guided hiking tour from Banff explores Grassi Lake and Grotto Canyon, two distinct landscapes near Canmore. The route takes you to Grassi Lake's turquoise waters and surrounding peaks, then through Grotto Canyon's limestone walls and ancient pictographs. Crampons are provided for winter ice walks, and pickup is available from Calgary, Canmore or Banff.

Options for this experience

3 options

From CA$ 149 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

Banff 09:00 Guide in 5 languages Pickup from Banff Caribou Lodge is included

Canmore 08:40 Guide in 5 languages Pickup from the Canmore Visitor Information Centre (2801 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore) is included

Calgary 07:15 Guide in 5 languages Pickup from the Calgary Downtown Delta Hotel by Marriott is included

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Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Grassi Lake, Grotto Canyon, Banff

• Hike Grotto Canyon trail
• View ancient pictographs
• Walk along frozen creek or flowing water
• Visit Grassi Lake
• Enjoy panoramic Bow Valley views
• Explore Banff town streets
• Have lunch in Banff

What’s included

• Pickup and dropoff from Calgary, Canmore or Banff.
• crampons for winter hiking.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport between sites.
• live guide in your chosen language.
• lunch stop in Banff town.

Times

• Every day 07:15 08:40 09:00

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Before you book

Group Up to 23

Live guide English, Spanish, French, Cantonese and Chinese

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included. You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Book up to 1d before

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Infant seats available Public transport nearby

Operated by Banff Journey

Prices and times updated yesterday

Traveler reviews

5.00 ★★★★★ Exceptional 6 verified traveler reviews

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The experience

Six to eight hours covers the drive from your pickup point and both hikes, with the route shaped by the season. Grassi Lake sits in the forest with views across the Bow Valley. In warmer months the water stays clear and bright, while winter turns the lake and surrounding trails into a snow-covered landscape where ice climbers work the frozen cliffs. Grotto Canyon runs a different course: a creek-bed walk through towering limestone walls where Indigenous pictographs mark the rock. In winter the creek freezes solid, and you walk an ice path past hanging icicles and frozen waterfalls. In summer the same trail follows flowing water and stone formations.

The tour runs as a shared group departure with a live guide speaking English, Spanish, French, Chinese or another language depending on the booking. Crampons are provided for winter conditions, and the air-conditioned vehicle handles the drive between Canmore and Banff. All pickup times and locations are fixed (you choose Calgary, Canmore or Banff at checkout), so confirm the exact spot when you book. The itinerary can shift if weather or road conditions change. The operator will notify you the day before if that happens.

Lunch happens in Banff town itself, giving you time to walk the streets and visit shops or historic sites on Banff Avenue. The day ends with a return to your original pickup location. Specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with very young children, and the tour suits all fitness levels, though the hikes themselves involve uneven terrain and elevation gain.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, Chinese and Cantonese.

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.

What is Grassi Lake like in winter versus summer?

Grassi Lake transforms with the season. In warmer months the water stays crystal-clear and turquoise, framed by the Bow Valley peaks. In winter the lake freezes over, surrounded by snow-dusted evergreens and dramatic mountain scenery, and the area becomes popular with ice climbers working the frozen cliffs.

What do I actually do inside Grotto Canyon?

Grotto Canyon is a walk through a creek-bed flanked by towering limestone walls. You'll pass ancient Indigenous pictographs carved into the rock. In winter, crampons help you walk the frozen creek as an ice path, past hanging icicles and frozen waterfalls. In summer, the same route follows flowing water and striking stone formations.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the trailheads?

No. Pickup and dropoff are included from Calgary, Canmore or Banff. You choose your location at checkout and confirm the exact pickup spot when you book. An air-conditioned vehicle handles all transport between your hotel and both hiking sites.

What happens if the weather is bad the day before my tour?

The itinerary may shift due to unpredictable road conditions or weather. The operator will contact you the day before the tour to inform you of any changes, so check your email or messages for updates.

Is this a private tour or will I be hiking with other people?

This is a shared group tour, and you'll join other travelers locally. If you prefer a private tour, you can contact the operator directly to arrange one.