Best trails in Kootenay National Park, Canada

The trail starts off by crossing a creek and then gains steady elevation on long switchbacks leading through new growth forest. There are amazing views of the mountainsthroughout, ending with an expansive view of the glacier in the distance. Show more

The prettiest little pull-off for an up close, quick peek of the glacier blue water. Very well established trail. Not too crowded. Perfect pit stop on the way to Banff.Show more

The trail starts at the Floe Lake Trailhead right off the highway near the east side of the park. You'll start on a flat stretch, crossing two rivers (w/ bridges) before switchbacking up through burnt stands of timber. Once you break the treeline, the trail is relatively flat for most of the way, opening up to wide meadows where for several weeks in the Summer, you will be wading through fields of pink fireweed. The final ascent to Floe Lake near the end of the trail is the most strenuous, consisting of a series of steep switchbacks out of the valley. But the climb is worth it. When you reach the top, the view opens up to Floe Lake, an isolated glacial lake butting up against granite cliff. If you are backpacking and planning on staying the night, claim your campsite along the shore, which you will have reserved ahead of time. For backpackers, this is often the first stop in a longer, multi-day trip that continues over the nearby pass and deeper into the park, but for beginners, it can be done as a quick one night trip, allowing for greater leisure on the trail and at the lake.Show more

This is a multi-day hike in the Canadian Rockies, which offers a considerate amount of elevation changes between campsites, the Rockwall Trail is one of the hardest. It can be done South to North, starting at the Floe lake trailhead and finishing at the Point Pots or vice and versa. The trail includes several waterfalls, numerous creeks, many glaciers, alpine lakes and of course the famous Rockwall itself. This is prime grizzly bear habitat. Please exercise caution.Show more

NOTE: As of September 2020, there is an admission fee to park and use the park or you can use the Parks Canada Discovery Pass. Please see the park's website for up to date information before visiting: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/kootenay/visit/tarifs-feesShow more

Starting from the Floe Lake trailhead to the stone bench intersection, make the north turn to go up the rock avalanche chute. Although it’s an unrelenting grind fest on rock scree that never lets up for the next 1,000m elevation gain, there are two or three really fun scramble sections you can choose to do, or you can simply avoid those and swing to either side. If possible - and to avoid slipping on scree as you ascend - try to find a rock wall to grip onto to make your life easier. Highly recommendable wearing gloves on the sharp slate rocks. Once up the avalanche slope, you will be able to see Numa Peak, which would be another 400m elevation gain - on scree yet again. The way to Floe Lake involves a bit more scrambling and walking along the ridge of the mountain, with sheer drops on either side that wouldn’t end well if something happened. The views when you arrive at Floe Lake are just breathtakingly gorgeous and other-worldly! On the way back to the trailhead, you will hike through the burnt forest, the result of a devastating 2003 forest fire, and will cross the photogenic, teal-coloured Show more